キャシャーン SINS [First Impressions]

I will refrain from saying anything negative about fansubbing teams, because I know that it’s my fault for not properly learning Japanese. But I hope that someone picks up Casshern Sins, because it could really easily be one of the best series this Fall.

I watched this first episode without knowing any background. Apparently, it’s a remake of the 1973 Shinzo Ningen Casshan. However, watching the 1973 version is not really needed in my opinion, because this episode stands for itself. Of course, a little knowledge is necessary, so here’s the plot summary from ANN:

After decades since the original anime series, the cybernetic warrior returns in this franchise reboot, Casshern Sins. In a world where the powerful robot leader known as Braiking Boss rule over humanity with an iron fist, a mysterious girl named Luna is summoned by the people for salvation. To retaliate against this potential threat, Braiking sends 3 of his most powerful cyborgs, Casshern, Dio and Reda to dispose of her. Casshern manages to kill Luna, plunging the world into a slow descent of annhilation. Hundreds of years later, humanity is almost extinct. Robots constantly replace their body parts, fearing the corrosion of rust: their only form of death. In this wretched time and place, Casshern returns after a lengthy disappearance since his murder of Luna. Having lost his memory, Casshern now defends the humans from the robots, and find out his true identity and purpose. Cassern is about a cyborg who rises against the robotic armies that have subjugated all of humanity.

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I have nothing really much to say; only that Casshern Sins really stands out with unique qualities.

Sound/BGM

Great stuff. You’ll know when you watch the episode; all musics add together and blends in perfectly. The ending is particularly beautiful. I have no idea who K∧N∧ is, but the song instantly attracts attention.

Animation

As you can see, from Casshern’s pretty portrait above, the animation is very unique. If I had to say what other series it reminds me of, I’d pick Gurren-Lagann: I can see more of the pencil sketches and outline of Casshern.

But it’s not only that. The colors that the animation includes, tend to draw in the viewer. These colors change with the ideas and themes that Casshern Sins presents; for example, in representing a post-apocalyptic world, the screen stays with a darker side of the spectrum. Because color represents a part in human expression, in my opinion, these darker colors can give the viewer a sense of gloom and depression. Yeah, go watch Casshern Sins so we can ALL be depressed and emo.

Thematic Elements

But of course, the colors do portray several themes:

• Innocence/Purity in a Post-Apocalyptic World: When the word “post-apocalyptic” is dished out, generally, there isn’t a very happy portrait painted. Through introduction of Ringo, a small robot child who takes a liking to Casshern and thinks he’s pretty, there’s a sense of “hope” that the world can change, and it isn’t always about destruction. However cheesy-sounding it might be, it’s true. That’s why the main color used in these scenes are lighter colors.

• Humanity’s Inherent Nature to Want to Survive: Ironically, because we aren’t talking about humans here, but robots. For the sake of argument, I’ll just say that those robots once were humans. (Were they? I don’t know.) Anyhow, these robots are fragile because they have to constantly replace their body parts that become rusted and destroyed. Given the rumor that eating Casshern can return to them eternal life, they seek to kill and destroy him. Parallelism? Yes, to the fact that it’s natural to want to do whatever you’re told as long as you can survive.

I’m sure I can point out many other themes, but I’m lazy and I have two midterms tomorrow. However, I will take up watching this show, and as for blogging it, we’ll see. (I’m leaning towards the “Likely to Blog” side.)

And For Kicks

Lots of robot gore.