(Introduction)
Desert punk an anime that is set in a world resulted in a major climate change that affects the very foundation of humanity. The world became a wasteland surrounded by endless desert making the environment hostile to live in. The world is in dystopia where only the strongest can live and only with those with power can ruled and control the world. Peace and order doesn’t exist in this new era.
This is the first impression desert punk present in its premise that is very intriguing. The story follows the adventures of Mizuno, Kanta a mercenary popularly known by many names but he was well known by the alias as the “Desert Punk”, the ghost of the desert and respected by other mercenaries alike.
The anime provides action and adventure since the main character is moving around place to place completing his assign task to earn money and to survive the harsh living in the desert.
(Overview)
Plot (6/10) Above Average
There are several other anime titles that have identical themes and some dated back from the 80’s and 90’s where global climate change dystopia is a common theme in ending human civilization. Usually this kind of themes focuses on its characters travelling and meeting new people along the way but desert punk is different for it focuses on the complex mission of mercenaries doing the job for money.
The premise provides very good action and military combat tactics which pretty impressive. Mercenaries carry out their jobs using clever tricks and intellectual planning to outsmart their enemy. The anime also present the harsh condition living in the desert where only people with money can live a normal life and people who doesn’t is either be sold for prostitution or drive harder to be become the dog the government or become a convict that survive by looting the weak.
The negative aspects that desert punk has that will offend its audience are the boob fan service and the boob shot it has. It also had an episode dedicated for it, lots of sex jokes and bad humor. The fan service is not bad but actually it exceptional in this kind of premise it further increase how indecent the current society is. The problem of desert punk is that the fan service is presented in a comedic sense making it not serious and it’s also affects the mood for it will lessen the tension.
Characters (5/10) Average
The characters in desert punk are plain because they don’t have a single unique trait to remember them by. The only character that is very different and memorable from the cast is the main protagonist Kanta. I didn’t even like the protagonist for he is a big pervert, a cowardly loser, a government lap dog, a selfish bastard and all the negative words you can throw at him but his is without a doubt a highly intelligent person and experience soldier who win’s not because of plot armor but with shear tactics and combat experience and that is all. I only love his abilities but not his personality.
As the story progresses we are introduce to another main character and that’s Kanta apprentice and only character that better understood our pitiful protagonist and her name is Koizumi, Taiko. Nothing much is known about her history but one thing is for sure and that she is the only develop character I seen throughout the series.
As for the mercenaries that kanta hang along with are far from being likable for me. My reason is that they are just there to provide support fire while Kanta get the credits. I like the idea mercenaries wearing special suits to provide them with some combat advantages over it foes which why they can handle their jobs properly and can plan ahead.
The only weak point is that because there is no personality that can stand out and most of the characters are undeveloped even with an episode span doubling to your regular 12 episode series it isn’t enough to see the characters changing. Only Koizumi I have seen changed.
Sound and Music (6/10) Fun
I like the 1st opening for it gives the desert action atmosphere and it catchy sounds. The 2nd opening is just mediocre and by the way I heard the English and Japanese version so I can tell its lyrics properly. The 1st ending is funny and kiddy for most of the point but I still liked it. The 2nd ending was beautiful for it presented the harsh living and the bloody war of the desert while sparking some hopes of peace and tranquility. And finally the background music, it’s ok and the background music from the action is good in bringing up some tension.
Art style (6/10) Good
The character design is just plain and simple. The gals have no distinct appearances except their boobs but yeah the art design is appropriate for its theme for you take in account the seriousness of the premise. It’s kind of awkward seeing characters in a dystopia setting with girls pink hair and rainbow color attires. I can say the clothing are realistic for the male’s wearing proper clothes in battle and the suits is logically smart for it provide as tactical advantage in fighting in the desert. No ridiculous cosplay outfits here that doesn’t make any sense.
Enjoyment (7/10) Good
I like the action and especially how tactically smart the protagonist can be in terms of actual combat. I like Taiko’s character development. The Dub version is good for it really matches the character’s voices and it is funnier and cleverer in deliverance of speech. Watched this anime 3 times so far and that’s why even with the low factor from the elements I still give my personal score of 7.
Overall (6/10) Above Average
Desert Punk is fun to watch anime but don’t expect too much because the story didn’t provide a satisfying ending. Story progression is close to minimal as the ending seems like it didn’t achieve anything and everything is still the way it is with little changes.
Recommendation:
The best anime I can recommend with a desert setting with big boys using big guns that deals with convicts and cool at the same is “Trigun” it’s the best of its kind.
For a little similar story concerning with mercenaries hired for cash I highly recommend “Cowboy Bebop” the little difference here is that the characters are bounty hunters in a space theme genre but the coolness is in the air.
