Kaiba is visually stunning and creative. Sometimes they trade in dynamic quality of images for free animation, and it’s not a bad thing. The art design is very Seussian, especially in architecture. There is a wonderful roundness to everything, with nary a straight line in sight. Despite the character design, there is an unexpected expressiveness in the facial animation. There is a thoughtfulness in each character’s appearance that is underscored by the fact that characters don’t look anything alike unless they are twins. The direction utilizes light and shadow brilliantly to keep the eye focused on the important, active pieces. Computer animation is good, and well integrated into the show, allowing a freedom of movement in both character and cameras that many should take note.
Sound - 9
I don’t want to say perfect, but the music was so well done that I really can’t say enough about it. The ending and beginning themes really help to create this other-worldly, exploratory feeling that the viewer has while watching the show. The most amazing part of the sound track, though is “The Tree Song.” It’s a masterpiece. There are three versions of the song used throughout the show and it is always implemented beautifully. It’s varied enough that it gives meaning to many different scenes, and distinctive enough that you remember the song as a whole. Voice acting is good on the whole. I don’t think there was anytime that I question choices in the acting, but no one really left an impression besides Vanilla’s voice actor. The voice actor for Popo also does a good job, giving a certain amount of depth and quality to such a badly handled character. Some of the foley was very funny and charming. Much of the sounds of spaceships flying, guns firing, and hitting target were quirky and added character to the world
Characters - 6
The characters are just ok. Unfortunately the viewer learns so much toward the end that it becomes very overwhelming to feel like you actually know and understand each of characters and their thought processes. Popo was interesting in the beginning, but once his motives are revealed, he is abrasively two dimensional and overexaggerated. Kaiba is quite empty. Part of this is necessary because of the role he plays in the beginning of the show, but after a while, it becomes clear that there is no real depth to anything that he does. While he is in Chroniko’s body he is astonishingly unconcerned with Vanilla’s feelings, and kind of mindlessly strings him along without a second thought. Vanilla, though, is easily the best character in the show. He is clearly conceived, and believably makes all of his decisions, no matter how vile or dumb the viewer may find them. Kichi isn’t a bad character, but again becomes important so late in the series that it’s a shame a lot of time was wasted on other, less important, subjects. Neiro just flat out wasn’t competently executed, bland, and a slave to the plot 90% of the time. The only thing notable with her was an encounter she had with Chroniko-Kaiba while she was in the body of another man.
Story - 5
Had Kaiba been just a visual exploration of the world, rather than tethering itself down to an overall plot, then I think the creators would have had a better time with the story. It’s very clear that the show was bound by the main plot in the last half of the show. Kaiba is centered around the title character who has amnesia, the only notable thing is that he has is a hole in his chest and a locket of a girl. This story starts as an simple idea, then leaves that thought to explore worlds in a variety of vignettes, then coming back to the main plot cashing and burning in convolution. Characters who play an important role in the show are completely eschewed at the beginning, and are haplessly stuffed into the end leaving no room to breathe between character studies and plot twists.
Enjoyment - 6
I was absolutely engaged with every moment of Kaiba in the first half of the show. The worlds were lush, beautiful and captivating, with the focus characters of each episode enticing and conflicted. I especially loved the dark mature tone and themes present in the series. However, after that first half, as well put together as everything was, it was equally off kilter in the latter half. Connections didn’t quite read on screen when they needed to, and the ending was honestly one of the worst in my opinion.
I just finished Kaiba. I actively avoided this show last year, and after completion, I'm quite disappointed that I did. The discussion I would have had while watching it would have been fun. This is an exceptional show, yet very flawed, and I actually had to look back in the comments section after certain episodes to see if I was the only one confused with certain character/plot developments, and I wasn't. I don't think Kaiba is something you watch unless your taste level has reached a certain point, so enjoyment will definitely sway because of that. I'm torn between a 7 and an 8, but the story was just so terrible at the end that I can't give it an 8 in good conscience.
Overall - 7
