Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
Genres: Mecha, Science Fiction
OP: [manacles] by Tomiko Van
ED: [Kakeashi no Ikizama] by Ataru Nakamura
Reideen @ Production I.G
REIDEEN公式ホームページ

[Episode 1: The Reborn Legend]

[Enjoyment Value: 8.5/10]

There was no way I could’ve ignored this series. I first found out about this when the remake was first announced some time ago. After hearing that Production I.G. would be involved I made sure that I’d be looking out for it. Well, now it’s here and the mecha fanboy in me is squealing. Yuusha Reideen, the original series, was the inspiration for the RahXephon (which in itself is one of the best mecha anime). So I couldn’t help but want to know exactly what RahXephon used for inspiration and to what extent it dedicated some of its plot points.

So does this remake does the original justice? Well, I can’t make that comparison but it certainly is impressive.

[Summary]

Amidst darkness, two giant machines are fighting it out and a male voice begins a monologue, asking why he was in such a situation. Enter Saiga Junki, a regular highschool student who dreams and is good in his studies. Before he can get into his normal activities with his friends he receives a call from home about news of his missing father. Together with his mother and little sister, they depart to the mountain where some belongs of Professor Saiga were found. While in transit, Junki reads his father’s notes and comes across the name “Reideen”. After arriving at the excavation site and doing some inspecting, Junki faints and has a dream where he sees two giant robots seemingly in battle but later awakens with a strange bracelet in his hands. Meanwhile a meteor crashes nearby but is actually a giant scorpion-like robot. After being caught up in a flood of water Junki remembers what was written in his father’s notes and recites a name and command. He is then transported to the Great Warrior, Reideen. While the fight is going on, a strange woman is seen standing near the battlefield. After a few hits, Junki realizes that he can feel the pain that Reideen receives and continues to question what is going on.

[Thoughts]

Wow, I was very impressed with this premiere. Quite honestly I don’t know where to start but I’ll try my best not to sound too scrambled. Music-wise, I enjoyed the opening and the ending. I’m not sure why but the opening gave me a feeling similar to that of Zegapain’s OP, which I still find hard to describe. The ED was nice and quite different from the OP in feeling and tempo but I still like the OP better. Animation-wise, the quality shone brightly and I expected no less from Production I.G.’s efforts.

As for the characters, I find Junki to be pretty cool. Usually it only takes one episode for me to decide whether or not a main character pisses me off or not and Junki managed to get on my favorable side. Why? Well, even I’m not sure but he gives off an aura that makes him different from the usual idiot main character. I thought that his uneasiness inside of Reideen was well executed and realistic since I’m sure that I wouldn’t have figured out how to control that huge giant to win in one episode. I also like his mother as she is hot for her age (MILF obsession…FADE IN!). Imouto wins some points too for being cute. I’m also particularly taken with the mysterious girl shown in the episode though. Apparently, her name is Akira and I must say that she’s quite the beauty. She doesn’t have the usual design that most female main characters do but it’s because of that that she’s so beautiful (at least for me).

Overall, I’m looking forward to seeing more of this series as the first episode really left me wanting more (well, that’s mainly because of the damn cliffhanger). Oh, and I forgot to say that I don’t have a problem with the slow battles. Yes it’s realistic and some may argue that since it’s an anime that it shouldn’t be or for some other reason, but I think it’s just fine the way it is right now. I just hope the animation remains constant throughout the entire series because first episodes tend to mislead at times….

Next Episode: Episode #2
> Oh SHI-. More power and…zombies?