Another really hyped show for this season: Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, or Koutetsujou no Kabaneri. Perhaps it was the premise, perhaps it was the steampunk, or perhaps it were the opening and ending themes. Thus, I decided to just give this thing a shot for episode one: Frightened Corpses. As always, spoilers are here, intentional or otherwise.
The first thing we saw was a speeding steampunk train, upon which the humans were trying to fight the kabane using steam guns. Interesting, I've never seen zombies in a steampunk world before, with steam guns to fend them off. This scene was actually already tense and gory without being to unnecessarily violent, even more so when that one guy got bitten and he must commit seppuku or honorable suicide.
Another point here: they've managed to mash up samurai and steampunk, in addition to zombies. This could be an epic combination. Perhaps the code of honor may be a big story here.
However, one question: why do they make the windows (or openings to shoot through, whatever) big enough to have your hair pulled and your finger bitten by the kabane outside?
Anyway, here we have Ikoma, immediately recognizable as our main character as he was making a steam gun that could pierce the kabane's heart cage. Fascinating twist on zombies, there. Actually, this might be the start of a cliche: the hero is going to use his new weapon, but is rejected by the society. Oh well, we'll see.
One-of-a-kind glass(es) there, though.
At this point it should be fair to mention Kabaneri's art style. My, the shading. Nothing too simplistic like they usually keep them, but now they have four layers of color from shadow to highlight. Sure, it makes the skin look shiny, but oh well. The style and coloring is also particular, which makes it better.
Yes, there is also the Attack on Titan vibe here and there, where Kabaneri has transformed the walls into a network of pipes and steam.
Well, Kabaneri might indeed be a mash-up of cliches (like all I could do). The next day, Ikoma was ridiculed about trying to be a hero, while he does still have friends which support his project. More Attack on Titan connection: Eren voices one of his friends, Takumi.
When the princess Ayame comes to fix her father's gun, Ikoma was called forth to check said weapon. The conversation got a little bit philosophical, when he asked, "Where would you point the gun?" and also Ikoma's goal in life. This might actually have some good character development.
As the train from earlier, the Koutetsujou, arrives at the station, the mechanics were called to do maintenance, while the passengers were scanned for covered bite marks. At least nudity isn't sexualized here, neither are the women.
Then, a man with an injury ran away, and Ikoma got in the way of the soldiers, the bushi that were trying to shoot, accusing them of cowardice and not following the rules, which hurt enough so that he got a beating, before the man--who turned out not to be a kabane after all--was shot. True enough, the honor code would be a strong point in this series.
Another point: Kabaneri made good use of politics, this time with the Japanese aristocracy during the old samurai times. The lord imprisoned Ikoma for fear of being a kabane himself, a decision which Ayame questioned. This again questions the importance of justice and order.
And then, Mumei (interesting, as this name means 'no name') comes to visit. I didn't really recall the details of the conversation, though they discussed about Ikoma's heroics. Meanwhile, his friends regarded the action as simply dumb.
The CGI was believable enough, when the next train unexplainedly smashed through the gates after being overran by kabane. Reminds us of the Colossal and Armored Titans smashing Wall Maria.
And, from that little hole, the city fell. Either this city is a small station, or the story is simply too quick.
And, like many top politicians, the chief fled.
Like a true mad scientist, Ikoma draws in a kabane, and this time, unsurprisingly, the gun worked. Quite a suspenseful moment, though, as we waited for the zombie to appear in the workshop, then smash in the ceiling (for some reason) and brawled with Ikoma.
Well, the hero is not all that unbeatable, as he was bit by that kabane. for some reason, caging the bite and suffocating yourself will stop the infection from spreading to your brain. Well, that one is also a tense scene, and we must also question what happened with his past, as some snippets were shown, and also where that crystal he held came from.
Mumei was actually badass, kicking a kabane's head clean off. Oh well, Japan and strong little girls.
So far, Tetsurou Araki did not disappoint, with gritty action and an interesting twist on zombies. However, as expected from someone who perhaps is also working on Attack on Titan's second season, it does have lots and lots of its vibe. But who cares, as long as the story is good.
And as long as the opening theme is this good. It's unfinished, as far as I know, and they put some scenes from the episode for now.
EGOIST. I quite like the little band after the Psycho-Pass endings, and this one also did not disappoint, with KABANERI OF THE IRON FORTRESS (which I have no idea why they like to play with the capitalization). Might not be my all-time favorite Egoist, but it really does fit with the theme, starting with her trademark gentle singing up to the spiritful climax. And that fight really is something, though it can't beat the first opening of Attack on Titan.
I'll just calmly wait until next week for the ending.
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