I just took a fair bit of a gamble and bought a 26-episode dvd box (the first season?) of the anime RahXephon. Usually, I only do this after I've seen a couple of episodes or the entire series on TV, or on the net (when it's on the net, I only sample a couple of episodes, not the whole series, though). This time, I just bought this whole dvd box on a whim; at least I'd heard RahXephon was supposed to be good, and had certain similarities to another action/giant mecha series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. And I've become a big fan of EVA in these past two years since I was first introduced to it.
Any way, to the point: I just saw the first episode of RahXephon yesterday, and thought to myself: maybe it would be cool if I just put down in words my impressions of each episode I watch, then convey them to you guys right here on Wrong Planet. Comments would be very, very welcome, as long as you don't spoil the story for me by mentioning future events.
So here we go. The first episode was pretty straight forward. We're introduced to our young protagonist Kamina Ayato, and to the beginning of a war of which the cause or reason is not much specified at this point. The interactions between Ayato and his friends were amusing, I hope they'll stick around to act as a foil to the whole war plotline that's turning everyone's lives topsy turvy.
The depiction of the assault on Ayato's home city was pretty impressive, I think, with at least two instances of bombings leaving neighbourhoods that must be familiar and dear to Ayato, in total wreck and ruin. We're also introduced to Mishima, a girl Ayato obviously knows, and, judging from his blushing, has pretty strong feelings for. Mishima seems to be in on what's going on here; she refers to a singing Ayato has trouble hearing, and she's strangely comfortable throughout their run to find help or shelter.
At one point, the two encounter mysterious men in black suits, who appear to be government agents, but turn out to be something else when a dark-haired lady wearing shades kicks their butts, saving Ayato, and revealing that the men's blood is not red, but blue. Ayato brushes off her rescue with an insincere thank you, and gets on the subway to run from her. I think this woman is one of the good guys.
I wasn't paying complete attention yesterday (times have been a bit hectic for me lately, and my attention span has also been suffering), and we end the episode with Ayato going into convulsions after he and Mishima enter a certain Room (of which the name escapes me right now), that's tied to the strange angelic beings that have been seen several times before in this episode. (Sorry to gloss over them, as they must be pretty much the most important element of this anime). These entities, I don't know if they're mechanical devices or supernatural beings, are being employed as weapons in the conflict, have considerable firepower, and are all named after concept from music - Alegretto, et cetera.
Well, I actually have to leave for work right now, didn't expect this post would take me that long, but I'll revisit this thread when I get home after I've done the laundry, and I'll expand some more on my first impressions.
This first episode was very exciting, set up and introduced the setting and the characters well, among others a likeable hero, supporting characters that could be funny, and interesting sci-fi/fantasy concepts.
Singing off for now. I'll watch an episode every weak. Want to try to savour the viewing of RahXephon. Please post your own comments as I go along. I'm not the biggest anime fan, but I've enjoyed a couple of titles at this point.
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clarity of thought before rashness of action
28 Feb 2011, 1:01 am
