Taking on the premise, the show is fairly simple despite the complexity of how it starts out. We have a young girl named Shio Ogura with at tomboyish personality. She is a Japanese high school student who seems to be curious around the world. Unfortunately, she comes off a bit as an outcast with only few friends. From the surface, it’s easy to notice that she is a caring girl but has some strange tendencies. Nonetheless, she enjoys her life just the way it is until the faithful day to Taiwan for a field trip; the day that she will never forget.
The series takes off with its banal trope involving some sort of invasion by the mysterious Evolutionary Invasion Objects. They come off as creatures taking on abnormal features with bug-like body structures. In retrospect, it is a trite and generic theme as series over the decades have done similar style of presentation. While it’s not a total war on another planet type of story, it still adapts itself as the ‘organization out-to hunt down supernatural creatures’ theme. Meet DOGOO (Defense Organization aGainst Outer Objects), a government agency that trains “E-Gene Holders”, normal humans gifted with special abilities to deal with these EIOs. One unique attribute relating to the E-Gene Holders is the fact that all its users are infused with spirits of historical figures. For Shio, she has the spirit of Oda Nobunaga within her. It matches with her style perfectly considering Shio’s ebullient personality. But for it’s worth, the series embraces on this power to combat the enemy to save humanity.
Nobunagun would come off as a fun series if it worked itself by character building. Unfortunately, the only characterization features Shio and lesser extent to other characters. The show explores a few type of relationships ranging from professional, caring friendships, and a potential romance. On a professional level, Shio comes off as a clumsy soldier. Despite being dedicated, she makes mistakes and often blames herself for it. Shio’s colleagues often treats her like a kid because her fresh status as an E-Gene Holder. The only development she receives on a professional level deals with the progressive power increase of her abilities. In essence, Shio’s relationship with her colleagues remains vague and lacking. But on a friendship levels, Shio does shine a bit more after saving her fellow classmate, Kaoru Asao. Despite their friendship being a prominent motivation for Shio to fight, their similarities are worlds apart. Asao comes off as a popular girl with an elegant figure enveloped with lady-like manners; the classic Yamato Nadeshiko. Shio on the other hand is the typical klutz with a hotheaded personality and somewhat of a petite figure. Yet somehow, the two fit like two peas in a pod by their strong friendship all after that one faithful day at Taiwan’s field trip.
Characterization is generalized as being almost insufferable throughout the show. Most characters’ backgrounds are hardly explored. With the show being only one-cour (13 episodes), it lacks many degrees with developing the characters beyond their generic standards. Even Jack the Ripper, a prominent E-Gene Holder holds only the bad boy persona. His relationship with Shio transits into somewhat of a romance although it’s left as a weak subplot. Obviously, the show isn’t a love story considering many circumstances. Even comedic wise, Shio and Asao has some yuri-undertones with their interactions throughout various episodes. Other characters from Shio’s second platoon can only be appreciated for who they are at best with their various behaviors. Haplessly, none of them are really noticeable for their behavior such as the teasing, kissing, and constant silly arguments over little matters.
The DOGOO agency is also stereotypical with their projects to annihilate its enemies. While it tries its best to help humanity, the agency also display hypocritical behavior when their own agents cause collateral damage involving casualties. Their image of the pseudo mad scientist gives off a weak impression beyond their motivations. And of course, their characterization is hardly a focus since the show concentrates its story on obliterating the EIO.
Action features as perhaps a driving force to motivate viewers to watch the show. Gainax composes the battle sequences but most of it comes off as cheesy and frivolous coordination. It goes full throttle when the battle comes into scenes to demonstrate intensity. But most times, it’s just there. It lacks emphasis, intelligence, and most of all direction. Most episodes have the characters fight for typical reasons such as friendship and survival. Expected would come off as a first word for this type of execution. But really, Nobunagun performs crazily and is all over the place. It doesn’t demonstrate psychological aspects or present any sense of morality. In retrospect, it formulates itself as mindless battles of berserk and flippant execution.
On a plus note, the show can be fun to watch for its worth. Shio’s a character that can be relatable on some standards and it’s nice to see her change a bit, even if it’s not significant. Comedy also works on numerous occasions with its dialogues. Shio’s face expressions also become an antithesis of the ‘damsel in distress’. She symbolizes a classic tomboy. It’s also memorable to see how such a character can get along with others when they are so different from her in the show. Fanservice is also tolerable on most parts with camera angles focusing on some compromising positions. Skin is generally kept in tone with the characters’ battle outfits rather than portraying it as a sex appeal. Shio doesn’t represent an eye candy in the first place so this works out consistently for her character. In fact, most of the characters in the show feels natural and display who they are rather than hiding it behind like a mask. One other interesting point to note is the way it displays its dialogues through gag bubbles and references. It comes off as a fun device to get viewers into attention.
Courtesy of animation Studio Bridge, we get its visual aesthetics but only in a few ways. Known recently for its production involving Devil Survivor: The Animation, they demonstrate some acceptable degree of their style. Yet, this might come off with mixed feelings. For one, the animation style feels goofy and amateur. The way it presents its visuals feels like an avant-garde. Its modus operandi composes of oblique structures, amateur character designs, and simplistic backgrounds. The monsters in the show are presented as being acceptingly malevolent. It can draw some attention in but most of the time becomes generic by their mindless behavior. Otherwise, most of the E-Gene Holders display their toughness. And while the show isn't indulged with fan service, there are some lascivious scenes when it comes to tentacle EIOs. You get the picture...
Soundtrack comes off as energetic and hyper, perhaps too much. But that’s not necessarily a drawback for this series. In fact, the OST works out best when it’s coordinated with its lively tone. It brings out its dynamics that matches its exuberance. Both the OP and ED song clearly reflects this way with its strong and rapid lyrics. There’s also degrees of calm music during emotional scenes. Character voices such as Shio, Jack the Ripper, and Asao also matches naturally to their persona. Just be ready for the craziness.
Nobunagan is a show I would watch when I need a dose of energy. The way it comes off is molded with tropes and clichés. Only the main characters stands out the most although a lack of characterization limits their true visage. The story is honest to its premise but the development comes off as dull. However, do expect a mindless ride of fun if you’re in for the full throttle action. It won’t be on a level of TTGL, Kill la Kill, or something you’ll have your eyeballs glued to the screen. Rather, expect a girl packing big guns and some attitude.
