It's all about some prince's journey who tries to get his city back because people betrayed him. Nothing new here. This is Akatsuki no Yona minus the romance (but no worries, the harem is still there) meets the Eastern setting of Magi meets Kingdom but without the captivating warfare narrative. I won't say it lacked action because it got plenty but it definitely lacked something that would have made the story enthralling. The mystery behind Arslan's identity was a good start. However, this subplot was not developed fully which left me with lots of unanswering questions.
The characters don't change and are often one dimensional -- there are little development and even less growth. They are pretty much all OP and often find easily their way out of desperate situations. For a story that is character-driven, they didn't evolve much.
Please, tell me which one is the brightest banana in the bunch because they all seem like (endearing) losers to me:
- There is the good guy with white hair (of course he has white hair). He's so innocent and righteous and wants to save everyone because this is the right thing to do, right? In real life, my precious son Arslan would have gotten killed faster than Ned Stark. Did I mention he has white hair? #specialsnowflake
- The invincible dude who only got two words in his mouth: 'Your Highness', and oh boy, that's one hell of a talent waste for Hosoya Yoshimasa. Even that ambiguous loyalty for Arslan was off-putting at times. Does he love him like a mother or a lover? Don't know, can't tell. But choose, mate, you can't do both.
- The one more OP than Aizen and Madara combined. He knows everything but tells no one, always gets what he wants and his plans never fail because he's so clever. Plus the bishie is voiced by Namikawa Daisuke. I'm telling you, perfect. Wait. He does have one flaw: he can't draw. Oh, my bad. Let's not forget there are two kids vying for his attention -- one seeing him as a father figure and the other as a lover but the dude is a blank sheet of paper who gives no shit.
- Then there's the priestess who's there because?? Who knows? Maybe they needed someone with boobs to please everyone. I'm still waiting for the reason she serves our precious Snowflake Prince but I guess it's in the trash with the other character developments I should have got.
- And finally, the other bishie who can do anything but sing? Funny thing since he's supposed to be a minstrel but the dude doesn't know how to rhyme. He may be the funniest character in that show but I feel like there is a heavy story behind his playfulness. Why does he hate royalty? Why does he travel and where does he go? Why a troubadour knows how to ride a horse, use a bow, spar with knights and seduce women but can't make fucking rhymes? So many questions, Grieve, come back and answer them.
- I forgot the spy who comes from a loosely-inspired India and acts as the only diversity in this cast of happy misfits and the religious fanatic named 'étoile' which means 'star' in French. If their goal was to make me cringe, it is a success.
Despite that, this bunch is lovable. Lovable idiots who are so naive I wanted to engrave my head on the wall.
But still better than the antagonists. We got a hothead boy with daddy issues, who got facial burn and is voiced by Yuki Kaji but I swear it's not Shouto from My Hero Academia. And for some reasons, everyone follows him because of plot convenience. Also, there is this country invading the land of our heroes, sacking the capital, burning the books and all instruments of knowledge, waging wars that kill millions of people so they could convert those same people to the religion of a god with an unpronounceable name. Japanese are truly amazing. They know how to make one-dimensional characters like no one else.
Nonetheless, this anime teaches interesting human values. It tackles the infamous subjects of slavery and religion, despite how ridiculous their depiction of religion is. It stays roughly shallow but I'd like to thank them for the effort.
It's a shame though. The beginning promised a tale of blood and vengeance with a complexed protagonist on an epic journey to regain his home, internally torn as he's discovering more about the world and his own identity. Sadly, it failed to deliver.
I'd love to criticize the art but there is not much to say. The OST was gorgeous to hear, it's perhaps the redeeming point of this anime. The seiyuu's acting was on point and the opening and ending were wonderful to listen and watch. Especially the first ending signed Eir Aoi who got me more hyped than the actual anime.
The average viewer will not notice the 'subtle' mix of 2D and 3D which was hideous yet funny to see. The fights were well animated but the battles... Please don't let this studio ever animate a battle again. As I said, characters are freaking stones, so they don't do lots of facial expressions but on top of that, they move like legos and honestly, it was hilarious to watch. Now don't get me started on the horses' animation, I've said enough already.
Overall, it lacked some conflict to create an engaging tale. Characters were nice but did not reach their potential. I'm lowkey disappointed because I was waiting for more from the guys that brought us Fullmetal Alchemist and Legend of the Galactic Heroes but it still entertained me. I'm not sure if I'll remember it tomorrow though.
PS: There is this fabulous scene where a black guy with abs jumps on an elephant while riding his horse. Thank me later.
