We try to make sense of something that is all too rare. A anime with some true meaning.
I speak of course, of "009-1"
This anime is a product of 2006, and as such; creates very little that people under the age of 20 will actually 'get'. In other words, there will be complaints that the artwork is sub-par, or the soundtrack is a little simple. In other words, production values are not good enough to suit them.
If everyone who ever said that, tried to do an anime before modern production software was available, then they'd have more appreciation for the art and science of making anime. After all, Japanese anime began in the 1910's, and did not become 'mainstream' until the 1980's (check out the very good article on the 'history of anime', in Wikipedia).
That being said, most of us, over the age of 30, can appreciate even lousy production values; as long as the story holds water. This is because, putting everything else aside, the purpose of anime is to tell a story. While it cannot be denied that artwork and music can enhance a story, 'production values' are, by their definition, not a story based notion. These are often extras, that do not enhance the actual telling of a story.
This now lead us all to '009-1'.
This show is a misnomer. It is not about a war, exactly. It's real message is about war, generally. And its consequences. While the plot is based in an alternate reality, the consequences of parts of the story are lasting, and has an effect that weighs on, not only the characters; but the viewer as well.
Our primary character, Mylene Hoffman; is the product of a war, that left her a refuge; eventually ending up in the Western Free World. With the aid of a government agency, she is not only hired, but bionically modified to enhance her survivability as an espionage agent.
Her brother was abandoned, in a fashion that Mylene always regretted. Later she runs into him, now named Loki, working for the Eastern Bloc; and eventually both of them find out who each other is.
And they find themselves still fighting the age-old struggles, against each other. Much regret from both individuals, and both try to give each other breaks from time to time. But in the end, neither one will quit their job, to find peace between themselves.
This is a kind of sadness that is real, palpable, and happens every day; in real life. The flames of bonds of friendship or family, are often something that cannot be publicly recognized any longer. And yet we feel these regrets, that travel though our nightmares, like shadows of things seeming almost real, yet can no longer be touched. And we awake from the dream, knowing we touched that regret, but can't remember exactly what the cause was.
And so dear readers, we have a story within a story. The primary story is the continuing struggle for dominance by the World Factions. The secondary story, stands much taller, and has more impact; for those of us with a strong enough soul to see the point intended by it.
This secondary story is the story of many of us, who leave people behind; either voluntarily or by force. And regrets, for which there are many causes; and most of the time, leave us all scarred beyond the recognition of the people we left behind.
009-1, cannot be enjoyed; but the effort to discuss regrets brought about by conflicts; can be satisfying for those of us with the wit to see and feel. 009-1 is a very rare anime, and is courageously made; regardless of whether it was hoped to be a financial or artistic success or not. Because the authors had something to say, they felt the viewer should know.
For the viewer that has the courage to see within himself, and find corollaries to their own personal history's, 009-1 might just be your anime.
I give "009-1" a very strong 8.
