Who? A cosplaying Shirota Yuu?? No, the cunning fox of Spanish California, the one and only Zorro!!
Does this outstanding way in announces a great adaptation? I want to answer yes and no. Let's elaborate more on exposition, beforehand. Some inexact points, you can notice in this very webpage, need to be corrected. Kaiketsu Zorro is mainly a co-production between three countries: Toho Animation (Japan) / Mondo TV (Italy) / Royal Pictures Company (Switzerland). It's from a time when animation still was held in way good esteem outside of Japan's bounds. Nowadays, Mondo TV produces nothing and Royal Pictures Company limited went bankrupt in 2008 after 23 years of existence. While it benefited of international recognition, coming with substantial budget, this show isn't exactly of the calibre of a World Masterpiece Theater production. I'll explain you why with the following points...
..| Story |.. 4/10
The most critically flawed aspect. It's due to the lack of cohesion in direction. Indeed, storyline tend to loaf with filler episodes of relatively uninteresting workmanship (the ones where sergeant Gonzales/Garcia fall in love, this cheesetacular one where Zorro fences a shark...) to pick up suddenly the pace, as in the last arc where conclusion is rushed through regardless of its potential. It's like Toho or some other unindentified third party took over, upon realizing imminence of deadline, aware that this production is in need to show teeth to end at least half decently. Secondary intrigues often are disposed of, regardless of continuity. Thus, you can see Bernardo tie new friendships which aren't taken into account for the remainder of series.
Format is at fault: independent episodes often gun down a franchise, if there's not a strong director to back them all under one flag. It's difficult to tell who was at the commands. Sometimes, it seems like the Japanese had a blast, making one tribute to Kaiju-eiga (if Toho isn't behind it, I don't know who is!!)... While in other instances, quite conventional angles transects these wild fits of fantasy as in an attempt to stick back with Johnston McCulley's spirit. In conclusion, due to how anime was produced, it's perpetually seated between two chairs. Does it want to be comedic with Boke/Tsukkomi routine? Does it want to be badass looking? Does it want to be oneiric? Plotline definitely lacks a common thread, so it falls short as one influence short circuits another.
..| Art |.. 8/10
Takaya Hirotoshi's chara-design is rock solid. It's impossible to confuse one protagonist with another. For instance, Commandant Ramon has that subtle, handsome and yet silently ominous expression about him. Lieutenant Gabriel really looks like a smug douchebag with his top student air, while Don Alexandro has a austere and yet venerable look. The vast array of design is one top quality this series have.
Art Direction is uneven. at times, sceneries are downright amazing!
They have that Ghibli-like touch, as for the episode 19 with that mechanically redesigning house, The south India company headquarters or the docks full of Spanish gallions. A certain contrast strikes in when action pans over the dull town. Once again, At the reins of background art, two persons... Miyamae Mitsuharu, a veteran on this position, signs hands out best part. I doubt more about Giuliana Bertozzi's talent. She's certainly decent but her touch doesn't exactly show overall.
..| Animation |.. 6/10
Whereas episode animation is fluid most of the time, quality critically slacks down at times, to the point of being shoddy. One example: the son of an assaulted landlord is chased as he's suspected in an assassination attempt. Upon escaping residence, the immediate soldier after him dashes... Like a drunkard. At one frames, he even inexplicably ends up in an axis way too outcentered of his course, on the right side. There happens to be a certain amount of continuity errors as well, when you focus attention on objects characters hold or background elements... I don't think key-animation is at fault. Only perhaps a couple of scatterbrained animators. Now, I know animation is dated, but there was noteworthy failures here and there explaining my low grade, as for the dance competition Lolita took on for her friend: staff was really off, expressing the sensuality of that performance above everything else...
Indeed, these aren't unredeemable mistakes, but it's definitely sub-par with many other TV productions.
..| Sound |.. 6/10
Fair. Music delivers overall a convincing chilvarous impression. Latino like guitars alternates with trumpets to stand for dynamic moments where Diego cease to be slacker to take on Zorro's persona. I like Zorro's theme, even if it weirdly channels City Hunter's spirit. The part coming after intro would perfectly fit with Ryo Saeba righting wrongs with magnum. The mystery theme, when Diego and Bernardo devise about situation, is one of the very best. I have also in mind the action theme, where a heartful electric guitar kicks in to insist on emergency aspect. Rest of the soundtrack is rather ambient. It lounges around mostly when nothing much happen. In a way, it makes good echo to the dull looking town, when nothing is troubled by some greedy capitalist or the army.
I watched this anime with french dubs mostly. You can only picture how cheesy they are if you live by my place. That jeweller... He has an accent from the south which makes me burst in laughter everytime I hear it. Here, he is, the bandit from Carcassonne, ready to make California bows down on its knees! It's also very difficult to keep a straight face when that lady look to defend her father, who happens to paint faux-masterpieces. Well, think about fish seller in the market of Bagnolet for her voice. It immediately defuses dramatism of situation despite soldiers brutality. I yet wonder what was with dub team's running joke around the sergeant and his comb (?). All in all, I enjoyed myself a load! Nevertheless, for a more serious approach, it's better opting for the subbed version instead.
..| Character |.. 5/10
Yes, the rate is low. On with positive aspects to finish with the less pleasant ones...
I appreciate the evil mastermind of Ramon. The ruthless commander, main antagonist of the show, pulls the strings and manage to retain composure, even in dire straits. His equivalent in benevolent form, Diego/Zorro's portrayal is well drawn, as well. It's enjoyable to see that goofball changes attitude all of a sudden to take care of problems backstage like a true selfless badass. It's only a pity Lolita's suspicion about his double identity is so underplayed. Roots of the evil is Bernardo: either you will love him or hate him... To be fair, a mute adult's pantomime is too hard to translate into animation. So, I can see how storyboard came for a perfectly "normal" child approach here. Funny character on whom young spectators would love to identify as, and whatnot. The fact he becomes little Zorro needlessly inflates importance of his character, though. Moreover, it brings into disrepute dramatic build up of episodes. It's really not easy to take it a face value when you see him barge in with his equally masked bulldog (!!). Is it a detached joke as to about why supporting cast come to be so dumb to not recognize Zorro and his team despite body of hints? This could have been a funny take on on the original spirit of the series, if Lolita and others wouldn't look so unsurprised upon learning the truth. On other note, this makes the villains pass as too incompetent to be of real menace. That's a pity.
In conclusion, Characterization is the mirror reflect of plotline. A certain cohesion lacks in their portrayal, due to anarchic direction.
..| Enjoyment |.. 7/10
This series is a bundle of enjoyment, regardless of my critical insight. In spirit, it's rather respectful to the works of Johnston McCulley if you choose to ignore the many eyebrow raising elements. It's a light-hearted title, which would certainly be of help to decompress between a violent steampunk/gun and a dark action/cyberpunk addition. Just enjoy the ride on Viento's back at heart's content, as it's the only known Zorro anime will you ever get
=)
..| Content indications / Buzzwords |..
Ketchup meter: Some characters die, but overall violence is mostly toned down.
Ecchi meter: 0
Fishing scene(s): 2 of them! Yay!
POSITIVE aspects:
+ The only Zorro adaptation
+ Badass main character who reminds Kenshin
+ Nice art direction
+ Excellent character-design
NEGATIVE aspects:
- Inconsistent plotline
- Incoherent characterization
- Uneven animation value
