In a distant future, human beings inhabit terraformed planets after using up most of Earth's resources. They can no longer reproduce normally and the average human life span has been drastically reduced, those who don't have a special operation hardly live past their twenties. Still, people live in a world of fantastic technology and brothers Thor and Rai have lived sheltered lives. That is until their parents are killed and they are sent to Chimera, a planet dominated by carnivorous plants. This planet, where only the most worst criminals are sent and only the most savage survive, is known by its inhabitants as Planet of the Beast King. Soon after arriving, Rai is killed and Thor is left alone in a world he does not understand. However, there is a small hope for him. If he can fight his way to the top and become the Beast King, he can leave the planet; and find out why his family was murdered and why he was sent to this merciless planet.
As mentioned before, Jyu-Oh-Sei has a complex and richly detailed world. One thing not mentioned in the summery is the bizarre social structure of those inhabiting Chimera. People live in four separate territories, called "Rings"; each is ruled by a leader titled the "Top". If the Top of one Ring conquers the others, he will become the Beast King and have the privilege to leave the planet. Also, women are scarce on Chimera, and so have the privilege to choose their mate for the "Month of Mating" and those they chose cannot refuse. This strange society frames most of the story very well. It gives Thor a way to escape Chimera and find out why he was even sent there. It also sparks much of the shows character drama.
The pacing through most of the series is actually very good. In just eleven episodes, it has to follow Thor from little boy to young man, which is not an easy task. Surprisingly, it doesn't feel rushed; even the time skip doesn't feel unnatural, an incredible feat all on its own. Thor's quest and character relationships develop naturally (with maybe one exception) . Unfortunately, the this cannot be said about the final episodes. The plot twists near the end are all jumbled together in a mess, and may even seem ridiculous to some. However, the strong overall execution of the story is enough to overshadow the missteps of the final episodes.
If its plot is Jyu-Oh-Sei's strongest point, then its characters are its weakest. For his part, Thor is a strong lead; he wants to leave Chimera to find the truth behind his parents murder and his banishment. At the same time, he is burdened with the circumstances of his brothers death, and tries to achieve his goal as humanely as possible. His two main companions Tiz and Third (there is an explanation for his name being a number) are also pretty likable and interesting. However, even then those two are not particularly well developed. Tiz's motivations are simple (she's in love with Thor) and Third's are shrouded in mystery; obviously having a lot to do with the overall plot. Everyone else is more or less a plot-device or fodder for the body count. Many are actually quite interesting, but they ended up being discarded or put aside until they could be fit back into the story.
The artistry and animation are what you would expect from a top animation studio like Bones; magnificent. The character designs are extremely attractive, but without looking like they are pandering to a certain audience, or looking out of place in the brutal landscapes of Chimera. The backgrounds are just as strong, if not even more so. Chimera's jungles look and feel real; they are beautiful but lurking with danger. Likewise, the high-tech settings of the universe outside of Chimera are a marvel to look at, and really give the feeling of a technologically advanced civilization. The music is not particularly memorable, similar to most sci-fi adventures, but does just fine supporting the story.
All in all, Jyu-Oh Sei is a strong sci-fi well worth its time. It has its fair share of missteps, especially in its final episodes. However, being that it is only eleven episodes long, it tells an impressive story in the time it is given; certainly better than one would expect. Though not quite living up to its potential it is a rewarding experience most will enjoy.
