Back to Fortress_Maximus's Profile Fortress_Maximus's Profile

Story: 4 - Of the three original Sunrise mecha series from the early 2010s that didn't have a big name attached to them, Buddy Complex plays it the safest and by-the-book. The ongoing war in the series backdrop is the most generic real robot setting there is, it's not below average, it's decent at best.

But it does have some innovation or things done before but rarely seen like time travel and the titular buddy system.

The big issue with the story, though, is its pacing, most of the content it copies were series that did them in 2 to 4 cours, this does it in 1 ... cour and leaves us on a cliff-hanger

Art: 5 - The character designs were okay, not the best fit for a series of this genre but it's not bad. The mechanical designs were fairly unique.

Sounds: 5 - Nothing too special. The OP and ED at okay to listen to.

Character: 5 - The inclusion of a time-travel element works in this regard; the fish-out-of-water journey of Aoba was quite captivating, how he adapts to life in the future, searching for his old home and school. Most of those outside the main characters felt like clichés, however.

Enjoyment 5: A series a few good ideas held back by its pacing and vast amounts of genericity.

Overall: (4+5+5+5+5)/5 = 4.8, rounds up to 5

I watched the series when it was simulcast on Daisuki, but they didn't upload the OVA, it wouldn't be years later after a rewatch that I would see this on Funimation.

Story: 3, like the TV series, there are some ideas I like from this despite the rest of it being very generic but these unique or new ideas were so shoddily executed because of the limited number of episodes the staff were allowed. The poor pacing means some intriguing technologies introduced in this OVA sadly end up feeling like deus ex machina. If only they took the time to reveal them over the course of ... multiple episodes, so such things are developed in-story in a more realistic time frame. For example, Evgeni has a jamming signal that prevents coupling, so Elvira and Mayu come up with a way for Aoba to self-couple; by creating a fake persona in the Luxon NEXT. This is genius, and coming up with just the idea so quickly is no problem, but they program way too quickly to be believable.

Art: 5, same as the TV series

Sound: 5, same as the TV series

Character: 5, same as the TV series

Enjoyment: 6, The OVA does tie up some loose ends and should be watched immediately after the series. It concluded the TV series like it was supposed to but it did it to fast.

Overall: 4.8, rounds up to 5

Story: 9
On the surface, it's a hard sci-fi disaster flick combined with AI rebellion. The space science/technology is done really (save for sound in a vacuum); artificial gravity is generated centrifugally in the space hotel that's the series' main setting. The most interesting part of this was the health issues with children being born in space that main character Touya needs to go through physiotherapy in order to withstand Earth and Mars-strength gravity because he was born on the moon. Also dealt with is the economic and societal issues with space migration; even in the futuristic 2045, sending manned missions up is expensive, together with ... the healthcare Touya receives, the show discusses the kind of discrimination that the space-born might face. We also get real-life space technology (both modern and vintage) featured like a recycled ISS module and a Russian Orlan spacesuit.

The level of AI technology, however, is kind of too advanced so the sci-fi here isn't as hard as I wished it was. But one thing about the AI theme in this anime that is realistic is AI ethics; malice is not the source of most AI-related dangers, indifference and incompetence are; the AI doesn't know what it does is wrong, those designing the AI may have been negligent etc. So it's not really an "AI rebellion" like 2001 or Terminator, it's more broadly "AI gone wrong".

Aside from the STEM topics in this, it also has themes of theology and determinism. It might be a little out there for some people, but I didn't mind it.

To reiterate, it's clear that writers know the costs of space travel and the limitations of having children living in space. There are a lot of economic, social, environmental, and technological prerequisites that need to be considered before a mass migration into space. The comet disintegrating cooled the global temperature, Touya and Taiyou started up a venture to develop implants lower the hurdle for young people to live in space, and the construction of a space elevator makes transport up to LEO more efficient in the long run.

To many, its message perhaps comes off as preachy or misinformed. I can see where this comes from; the summary of the anime's viewpoint, that humans ruin Earth's environment therefore the solution is to move to space. But taking into account all the nuances in what individual characters say (especially in the epilogue), it's clear to me that alternate viewpoints to and technicalities within the anime's main viewpoint are considered.

The story isn't perfect, I didn't like how they kind of backpedalled on the theme of beating destiny, we were led to believe that Touya broke free from the deterministic Seven Poem but then there's a scene was along the lines of "even this happy ending was predicted", that combined with the "hard- sci-fi but not really", means I cannot give it a 10.

Art: 10
I was sold on this from the announcement that Kenichi Yoshida would be the character designer. This anime has one of the best uses of 3DCG and 2DCG in combination. It especially works in some memorable scenes like Bright and Dakky fighting inside the long padded interior of Anshin. How they dynamically fly inside Anshin is a spectacle to behold. 3DCG has a place in anime, and The Orbital Children is an example of one of those places.

Sound: 6
The sound design was not its strongest point.; from what I remember, we still heard sounds in the vacuum of space, which is a shame given the rest of the realistic detail. I had high hopes since avex is involved in the anime's music production but unfortunately, the background music and ending theme weren't really that memorable.

Character: 8
Some are insufferable at first, Touya just hates Earthers, Taiyou goes full cop and Mina's streaming obsession costs them time and air on the damaged space hotel. Konoha and Doc were sort of just there. (Doc being a yes-man for Touya). But Touya and Taiyou eventually get development. We learn the motivations behind Touya's angst and Taiyou's goody-two-shoes attitude. Both learn to put their differences aside. Nasa's character arc really had me on the edge of my seat. As for Mina, it's kinda frustrating watching an annoying streamer get off scot-free. 4/5 main cast are tolerable.

Enjoyment: 10
It has all the themes I generally like and the action scenes in zero-g were very fun to watch.

Overall: 8.6, rounds up to 9

Story: 9
Overture to a New War is both a prequel to the OVA (doing its best to bridge the first film, My Conquest is the Sea of Stars to the OVA) and a remake of its first two episodes which depict the Battle of Astarte. The prequel parts give insight to supporting characters who were only given a few mentions/appearances and what relationships they have with the main characters. On both sides, an important message to take away from this arc of the greater story is old ideas holding the new generation back. Several times on the Imperial side, we hear talk about the theory ... vs practice, and higher ups deliberately holding Reinhard back due to various agendas associated with the aristocracy. On the alliance side, we see both Yang and Lap being victims of old ideas, but the message on how they are overcome differs slightly from the OVA.

Art: 10
We see the Battle of Astarte reanimated in gorgeous widescreen and all the ships have even intricate details and greebling. Character design and animation is on point; noses are present, they're proportioned like adult humans, and a lot of work must go into making the hair wavy and lifelike.

Sound: 10
Great pieces by the likes of Wagner, Chopin Mozart and more accompany the animation and work particularly well during the aforementioned Battle of Astarte. However, probably one of the greatest use of classical music in anime is the diegetic use of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata in a very heartbreaking scene.

Character: 10
In the remake scenes, the biggest change is Lap. His new, alternate depiction here is by no means a replacement for the very minor depiction he had in the OVA, it instead serves to complement it. He shares Yang's ideas and he is also held back by his fleet's Vice Admiral. In the OVA, we are lead to believe a lack of conviction to get his strategy applied seals his fate (also dramatic in the movie, but in a very different way). In this movie, he is much more confrontational with his Vice Admiral but the actions he does take are ultimately useless.

Enjoyment: 9
An amazing audiovisual experience that cinematically tells important messages.
It does not replace, but complements to the OVA's first two episodes.

Overall: (9+10+10+10+9)/5 = 9.6 rounds up to 10

I watched this version as opposed to watching the ONA so this review will be based on my thoughts on the movie.

Story: 10/10
The anime utilizes not a robot uprising or rebellion as its vehicle for story telling but its titular place of equality and I like the depiction of the so-called ethics committee and many a background characters snide comments as truly antagonistic.

Art: 8/10
Above the notch. The shaky camera effect in some (but not all) of the scenes makes this one really distinct.

Sound:10/10
Music and sound effects are utilized very well. In addition to the piano sub-plot, I really like the kind of break-beatish music playing ... the in the café. The ironically mechanical sfx of Rikuo when he has awkward interactions and other touches like that provide a lot of the humor.

Character: 9/10
The anime does not hold back with going in depth on each of the customers in the café and a lot are complex and emotionally moving especially the conflicted Masakzu Masaki. Unfortunately a character whom I felt was really important didn't have their story told as much as I would like to it to have done hence the 9.

Enjoyment: 10/10
I really like the message of this movie. The fact is, a lot of the earliest stories like those of Isaac Asimov show both sides of the relationship between robots and humans. Unfortunately, in a lot of popular culture works, we view sentient robots more often than not as villains with only a few token good-hearted sentient robot characters (e.g. HAL, The Matrix), I like it when we have AI that's benevolent like the the T-800 in T2 or GERTY in Moon.

Back in the 00s, there was a digital TV channel in the UK called Anime Central, sadly now defunct. They aired such works as Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the three Japanese Transformers anime and the 2003 version of Full Metal Alchemist but one work I had never heard of was "Planetes". I am really excited by space exploration and to have an anime about it was indescribable.

Story: 10/10
Planetes is an incredibly realistic anime. Artificial gravity is generated the ISPV 7 space station rotating and that is kept to a minimum, most of the time the characters ... float around and similar to UC Gundam series; have handles and bars all over their in their spacecraft interiors to assist the astronaut.

Planetes shows casual office life but with space added to the formula, the complications of space travel are also added such as radiation sickness, being born on the moon where there is a lower gravitational field strength etc. and also the features of the space age, an age where space travel is regular enough that astronauts aren't all heroes, as Hachi tells Ai. But most importantly the theme of the show which overlaps with environmentalism and capitalism. Collecting space junk and not paying attention. Conversely one of the plot points revolve around how turning to renewable and cleaner sources of energy such as nuclear power and solar power have left oil rich nations of the middle east in bankruptcy because no one needs their oil now they have a cleaner alternative.

Art: 10/10
This is made by Sunrise and I can't help but thank them for how grateful I am that they animate space accurately and keep 3DCG down to a minimum, only using it for space stations such as the ISPV 7 and large spacecraft such as the Von Braun.

Sound: 10/10
As there is no sound in space because of the lack of air, characters talk through radio. Planetes keeps our ears listening with its beautiful classical music that fits the theme of the series.

Character 9/10
Ai is the idealist whereas Hachi is the realist, he is also very hotheaded which other views might find annoying but he demonstrates a flawed human in my opinion and echoes his words that things aren't like the way they are when man first set foot on the moon. One of the things that I liked from this anime is how they handled their "minor" characters too. This anime also shows a multicultral future, although two of the protagonists are Japanese we also get an Indian, American and Russian employee, and one of the things I like about the dub is that he does not get a stereotypical accent. Each of the main cast has their own back-story and they do not hold back to explain why the character is the way they are.

Enjoyment: 10/10
This remains one of my favorite works ever. I love space and I love anime.

Overall: (10+10+10+9+10)/5=9.8 rounds up to 10
Overall:

Story
2/10
This is essentially a compilation movie of the first series with some new animation.
Of course. we are to face the sexual tension between Kazuto and her sister/cousin Suguha over again and Asuna almost getting raped by creepy Sugou in front of Kirito. Fortunately, we are spared the tentacle monsters that capture Asuna for escaping.

The first part of the new animation is pure fanservice with Kirito's harem teaching Suguha how to swim. The second part of was considerably better, focusing on a quest, closer to the plot of the first arc's episodes
Art
4/10
Same as the television series, A-1 Pictures spares us gracious 2DCG for what they consider ... their Magnum Opus.
Sound
8/10
The music of the television series is featured including Eir Aoi's Innoncence. There is also new song that for the end credtis.
Character
3/10
There is no development here other than Suguha's sudden inability to swim.
Enjoyment
4/10
Compiling a oversimplified version of the first arc, the disturbing parts of the second arc and newly animated fanservice.

Bandai made this to promote Gunpla and to introduce people to Gundam but if you are newcomer to Gundam, this series wont give you an impression on what the other series are and you might not understand the jokes and references.
If you are someone who is really in to Gundam, from any angle; the UC fan or a fan of all of it, you will enjoy this, it references everything from 0079, to Turn A, Wing, even G-Savior and SD Gundam.
When Gundam fans first heard news of the new Gundam TV series, there was outrage that Gundam was turning into something like Yu-Gi-Oh! or Beyblade.
The ... reaction was similar to the one Gundam AGE; Gundam being aimed at kids due to the character designs (which AGE wad far from. if watch it) but AGE got bad reception even after it aired, but I have observed this series receiving praise from older fans due to it's many references to the UC series as it has now aired.
If you decide to watch this anime, don't expect it to be like your average Gundam series, it isn't trying to be a hard political drama, it isn't trying to be serious, so don't compare it military sci-fi anime like Mobile Suit Gundam but other tournament, sport and competition anime.
Story: 7/10
It is a blatant promotion of Gunpla (Gundam model kits) just as Beyblade is a blatant promotion of the toy of the same name, but it doesn't try to hide it, it fully embraces it.
I didn't know what to expect from the story, the Reiji subplot (no spoilers) it surprised me but it was so-so.
Nevertheless, I was impressed by what they made out of other elements of the plot. One episodes raises two points (and hilariously breaks the fourth wall while doing so); having your life centred around model kits and that Gundam usually shows us that war is bad but at the same time they show war with giant awesome robots, to quote Mr. Ral's explanation to Reiji; Unlike the Mobile Suit Gundam story, we're not in a state of war and we don't have to put our lives on the line, it's just played for pleasure...for that very reason... people can be enthralled by Gunpla and Gunpla battle, they like it and take it seriously.
Like other sport/tournament anime there's the themes of never giving up and determination etc. one character rejected a prestigious title within the realms of Gunpla Battling, because the ideology of the current holder was to never give up, to fight until the bitter end, to mercilessly ruin the hard modelling work of opponents, instead he battles not to win but because he enjoys it.
Gundam Build Fighters, being a celebration of Gundam/Gunpla does references the plot of previous series too including the story for this series' token mentally unstable girl character and the Char clone.
Art: 10/10
I am usually indifferent to the character designs unless the are terribly repetitive like in Gundam SEED and Fafner, unlike most people it does't bother me that AGE and Build Fighters have "kiddish" character designs, that being said Gundam Build Fighters does provide a wide variety, the newly introduced characters are drawn in a modern style but Mr. Ral is drawn true to Ramba Ral from Mobile Suit Gundam.
Now for animation; a lot of anime is CGI nowadays but that doesn't mean the are entirely animated in a 3D manner (which is a common connotation), characters are usually drawn in a 2D on a computer, but mecha are now almost always done in a 3D way because it is cheaper and less labor intense however, in a lot of mecha anime, the don't try to integrate the rendered 3D with the 2D characters and it gets them out of phase, I applaud Sunrise because they don't forget (at least for Gundam), I don't remember seeing a bit of CGI that stood out when I saw Build Fighters, it was all 2D and it was brilliant. The models involed are High Grade (the most common scale and quality for Gundam model kits) so I didn't expect them to be overly detailed which is something I really like from mecha anime.
Sound: 6/10
Both of the opening themes are nothing epic, they are normal J-Pop. The second ending theme however is a whimsical and unique tune. It is done by Kenichi Maeyamada aka Hyadain, a performer who has received recent fame from YouTube and NicoNico, it is good that Bandai/Sunrise have hired rising stars to do their music.
Character: 7/10
This series does carry over the character archetypes of other Gundam series, there are the regular ones: the Char clone, other ace pilots and the mentally unstable girl and also specific homages such as Mr. Ral, Takeshi Iori and Master Chinan and they are handled well.
One of the villains may get on your nerves

This was a merchandise driven anime aimed at children so expect some nonsensical moments.

This was the first Brave Series/Yuusha Series anime that I watched, it has comedic moments that will keep your laughing. It is a police themed story but isn't focused on mystery at all, just monster of the week fights.

Nonetheless there are surprisingly some serious moments in this anime due to the fact that the main characters are sentient robots who can think and feel like a human through the invention of Artificial Intelligence, examples of what they have to deal with include the following:
A character goes through an existential crisis because criminal ... hackers are messing with this programming and perception of reality.
Whether they are machines who can be replaced by a newer model.
Whether their memories can be erased, such as Deckerd's warm-hearted friendship he developed with the human boy Yuuta.

This film is infamous for its full fledged alien (fossilised space whales appear in SEED) in the Gundam franchise, and I agree this I a bad thing, Gundam introduced human antagonists in order to make them more relatable and the conflicts ambiguous. This is an alien invasion story, while the ELS were oblivious to their attacks at first, this is the problem you cannot sympathize with the ELS properly as they have a different concept of morality, you can sympathize with the oppressed spacenoids that made up Zeon, the abandoned humans that became the Vagan, and ZAFT being victims of racism.
Secondly, Feldt declares her love ... for Setsuna out of the blue, although I like the pairing it just wasn't introduced right, it makes sense that they have been comrades for a long time but there wasn't any build up to it, she just confesses randomly and worst of all, their relationship is left unresolved.