Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
OP: [Inori ~You Raise Me Up~] by Lena Park
ED: [Cyclone] by 12012
ロミオ × ジュリエット

[Act 1: Two People ~if they do not meet~]

[Enjoyment Value: 9.5/10]

[Opening sequence]

OP: [Inori ~You Raise Me Up~] by Lena Park
Listen to the OP: Mirror 1 | Mirror 2 | Mirror 3

[Summary]

On the floating continent of Neo Verona, a bloody event is taking place under the night sky. Montague kills Capulet and the majority of the Capulet family. Juliet witnesses the murder of her father and together with Cordelia tries to escape and are saved by a group of loyal knights. Fourteen years later, Montague is still looking Juliet. Meanwhile, a girl is being harassed in front of a large crowd by soldiers but is saved by the appearance of a man they recognize as the Red Whirlwind. After saving the girl and beating the soldiers, the mysterious man leaves and grabs a much older Cordelia but run into a dead end bridge.

As it crumbles away under the Red Whirlwind’s feet, Romeo quickly comes to the rescue on his flying horse. Benvolio, his friend, saves Cordelia and they all land safely. The Red Whirlwind attempts to walk away without a word to Romeo but after an exchange between the two the masked man ends up thanking him. After leaving, the masked man reveals himself to be a young boy named Odin. After returning home to a theater with Cordelia they go into a room where Cordelia mentions that Odin will be turning 16 tomorrow and takes off his wig – revealing the truth that Odin the boy is actually a girl – Juliet.

Meanwhile, Romeo is being lectured by his father and is also visited by Hermione. His father wants him to escort her to the Rose Ball that night but when Romeo touches her hand he’s reminded of the Red Whirlwind. Later, he talks to Benvolio about Hermione and admits that she’s pretty but that he doesn’t love her. Romeo then asks his friend what he thinks love is and he answers that it’s when you feel that you can die for and with a special person. Back at the theater, Juliet asks the same question to William and receives a similar answer. One thing leads to another when she encounters the actress Emilia and finds herself at the Rose Ball. At the Rose Ball Juliet has flashbacks of being there and after seeing Montague she runs outside. As she sits near a fountain and is about to smell a flower she picked up, a male voice calls out to her and. Juliet then turns around to see none other than the boy who saved her earlier that day: Romeo.

[Ending sequence]

ED: [Cyclone] by 12012
Listen to the ED: Mirror 1 | Mirror 2 | Mirror 3

[Thoughts]

I’m writing this not too long after watching the episode and I can’t stop myself from trembling. Why you ask? The episode was just that good. Familiar with the classical Romeo and Juliet story? Not familiar with it? Well, it doesn’t matter which category you fall into because aside from the names of the characters (some from other plays such as Othello, Twelfth Night, and The Tempest, etc.) and the bad blood between the Montague and Capulet, this is a fresh take on the classical tale. The animation and music were absolutely outstanding and the performances of the seiyuu were nothing less of solid. The OP and ED are excellent and definitely among the best this season.

Lena Park sings a beautiful version of You Raise Me Up and a band I’m not familiar with named 12012 delivers a fast-paced rock song.

Romeo X Juliet is definitely one of the best offerings of the spring 2007 season and is definitely a must-watch. I’m 99% sure I’ll continue watching and blogging this show until it comes to an end.

[Preview]
> The fated lovers meet again and again.