Majestic Prince

24 episodes ; started in the Spring 2013 season

·        Staff

o   Original creator – Rando Ayamine – GetBackers

o   Director – Keitaro Motonaga – long list of credits to his name; Date A Live(recent), Jormungand(recent), Katanagatari, School Days House of 1000 Tongues (hentai), and others.

o   Production studio – Dogakobo

o   Music – Toshiyuki Watanabe – Space Brothers

·        Plot Summary

o   The anime’s storyline doesn’t delivery anything new to the world of anime but it does present itself in a way that is easy to understand and follow with very little convolution.

o   It is the story of a very human looking alien race called the Wulgaru who are hunters and acquirers of “DNA” from around the galaxy.  They exist by using exceptional genetics to enhance their own race.

The humans of Earth have long expanded into Earth’s surrounding solar system.  In order to handle the harsh environments of space and the defense against  hostile aliens such as the Wulgaru, Earthlings have been genetically modifying children to pilot mecha that contain a very specific battle system the AHSMB, “Advanced High Standard Multipurpose Battle Device  (These mech units have systems that were reminiscent of the Lamnda drivers from Full Metal Panic.)  These advanced genetics lure the Wulgaru closer to Earth.  The battle to defend Earth and to save mankind from extinction thus occurs.

The Earth’s best chance for survival rests on a band of genetically engineered children who were misfits and generally unsuccessful students at their training academy.  They are each skilled in one particular area of combat but are generally bad soldiers and are not skilled at group cooperation.  This assembled AHSMB team called “team Rabbits”, lead by aspiring “hero” Izuru,  is Earth best weapon against the Wulgaru.  Each child was genetically enhanced to excel at one specific task.  For example, you have the sniper, the heavy defender, the “hero”, higher powered attacks, etc…

There are some problems with the characters in the series.  The silly female pilot who says things like “stupid poopy doodoo head” when she is angry and the brooding “I hate you all” type of character just doesn’t often work well in skillfully constructed stories.  This is no exception.  The former especially took away from the seriousness of the story at times.  How can one be expected to seriously invest oneself in a story about mankind’s survival when one of the main characters is constantly crying, eating pickled squid guts, shouting things a 4 year old would say and generally immature.

There were also some things that the anime’s writer forces into the story the make the “bond” between characters, ultimately the main character, Izuru’s, motivation for survival at the most tense and critical moments of the show, stronger.  Things like forced, unresolved romance and a surprise “We’re actually related” (not sexually) moment, are all in the show and are given significant time but in the end are not important.

o   Hanging its hat

§  The anime definitely hangs its hat on the combat sequences.  They are fast and crisp and far outclass anything we say in other full length mecha shows from recent years such as Gundam Age or Macross Frontier.

§  This anime does a really fantastic job of pacing itself.  The balance between the shows action scenes, which are very frequent, and character developing/comical moments is just right.  Throughout the course of the story, I didn’t find myself bored very often.  The battle scenes are long and engaging.

·        Aesthetic

o   Overall Visuals

§  The overall quality of the visuals is amongst the best of the Summer 2013 season.  Appealing character designs and vibrant colors bring the anime’s battle scenes to life.

o   Mecha Design

§  The hero mecha units were well designed and each have a somewhat unique style.  Some of remininscent of Zone of the Enders, especially Nephitis and Anubis.

§  Enemy mechs always look bio.

o   Music

§  The music was average.  Opening was good but the battle music and general BGM was generally uninspired.

·        Summary

o   Pros

§  Simple non-convoluted storyline that is easy to follow

§  Amazingly animated action sequences and glorious visuals

§  Enjoyable characters (mostly)

§  The general pacing of the story is excellent.

o   Cons

§  Storyline is unoriginal and doesn’t delivery anything new

§  Cliches AND rushed ending (3 mins 40 seconds after the battle ends)

·        “I will protect”

·        Suicide crashing vessels into each other

§  Some very unnecessary goofy characters that clog up the mood and pacing of the story at time.

[starrater]