Otaku Digest: Shingeki no Bahamut Genesis/Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete/World Trigger
Welcome one and all to another instalment of Otaku Digest- where we take the first episode from anime in the current airing season and give our two cents of whether it stands up or not. First impressions are everything! This week we have Shingeki no Bahamut Genesis, Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete and World Trigger.
Shingeki no Bahamut Genesis
First up this week is action, fantasy, shounen and supernatural anime Shingeki no Bahamut Genesis released on the 6th of October. This anime is based in a magical world known as Mistarcia, it is a world where demons, humans and gods roam the world together and mingle. This three unlikely allies forged their alliances and fought together against the black and silver winged Bahamut that threatened to wipe them all out and destroy the world. Together they sealed the Bahamut’s power, the key to this seal was then split in two one given to the demons and the other to the gods – so that it may never be united and the Bahamut may never be released. Two thousand years pass and the world is in an era of peace – until an unlikely human steals the gods half of the key – will the Bahamut be unleashed once more?
Ok first off when I saw this title and the fact it was going to be about a giant creature wreaking havoc on the world I won’t lie my first instinct was that it was going to try be another “Attack on Titan” type of anime – while also attempting to cash in on being this type of anime. I was relieved to see it did not take this approach in the end and went far further down the fantasy route – a lot of summoning demons and other magical beings. Something I found off putting and generally off putting about this anime was the main character – I found him irritating and just an all-round jerk. The episode as a whole was just plain boring – for an action anime there was not much of that bar a few bounty hunter scuffs. Too much talk not enough action. Saying that the most interesting part is the mysterious girl at the end – with just the flick of a finger she can take down a massive creature – I would look forward to seeing more of her than the main character. Last word on this anime is that the animation was very enjoyable – I found myself watching the character designs and backgrounds rather than following the actual story itself – the animation of the Behemoth was outstanding!
Will I Continue to Watch: Giving it the benefit of the doubt on a ‘meh’ first episode – will continue.
Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete
Next up to the bat was romance, harem, supernatural anime Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete originally aired on the 4th of October. This anime is set in autumn just the beginning of the 21st century at the Uchihama Academy – a prosperous academy that has come far in the last few years, so much so a new school building is being built. With the imminent move to the new building there will be one last General Club Festival in the old building and students has made the vow to make it the greatest cultural festival the school has ever seen. Our main protagonist Sou Akiyama who is a part of the Astronomy Club is urged by the student committee to calm the restlessness of students. Reports are immerging about mysterious accidents, ghost sightings and sleeping sickness in the old school building. Could the new mysterious late transfer student be somehow involved?
Leaning slightly into the slice of life type of anime with supernatural undertones more than an all-out supernatural anime. What really stuck out in this anime for me was the animation in particular the character design – it was very obviously computer generated as the way they moved in the episode was nearly too clean and compared to the backgrounds and surroundings they stood out as being very clean and roundly shaped out. As far as story going by the first episode the anime is quite slow – a lot of talking and lead up but seemingly not enough pay offs for these lead ups. I have to say though I did not see that ending coming – there is a great example of character progression with a swift turn around but then it cuts to another scene which seems to be a preview of the next episode which makes this episode confusing.
Will I Continue to Watch: No – found it boring and the animation quite distracting and off putting.
World Trigger
Last up this week is World Trigger which was released on the 5th of October and is an action, school sci-fi anime. Centring mainly four years after Aliens known as “Neighbours” of which are invincible to earths weapons attack earth the only line of defense was the mysterious group that go by “Border” and wield weapons they call “Triggers”. Four years later the city of Mikado has recovered from the initial attacks and have now become accustomed to attacks from the “Neighbours”. One day when Yuma Kuga and Osamu Mikumo find themselves facing off against a Neighbour that appears before them – Osamu activates his trigger as he is a Border agent but is unable to defeat it leaving Yuma to activate his trigger and take the Neighbour down. Yuma reveals to Osamu that he is in fact not a part of Border but a Neighbour who transferred from the other side.
Yes, yes and yes again! This anime caught and kept my interest for the entire episode. The characters were interesting to watch and I can already tell that they will be getting individual growth and character development. In particular the character of Yuma, how will his Neighbor revelation be continued – also looking forward to seeing other Border agents and how they will be worked into the series. The story is brilliant in its simplicity – an alien creature attacks earth and a mysterious group “save it”. Simply but effective because he first episode doesn’t tell us much about the Neighbors themselves but we can tell that through Yuma we will learn more about them and why they are attacking. As for the “Bordor” aspect again not much in the first episode but just enough to peak my interest to stay and watch even more just to see what is up with them. For me this episode was the perfect balance of sci fi, action, comedy and dialogue – there was never too much of anything, a nice balance to watch with a great story to boot.
Will I Continue to Watch: One of the best anime I have watched thus far, YES!
What’s your thoughts on this week’s anime? What have you been watching? Let us know in the comments!
