FANTASY ART & ASSORTED ODDNESS by Patrick W. Stewart
SCI-FI & FANTASY ANIME SERIES
FLAG (2006)
This was a very unique anime series (to me at least). It is relatively short--a mere 4 volumes; 400 minutes total--but a powerful story. They used a mix of normal anime with CGI and it worked well--fit the theme perfectly I thought. Oh yeah...what is the theme & plot of this thing? Look down about a centimeter and read what's written under the words "theme & plot." There I will give you the theme & plot.
Plot & theme (I have confused you by the simple reversal of words. Mwu, haaa, haaa, haaaaaa.):
Ahem...
The story focuses on a young photojournalist named Shirasu Saeko. As a "frontline" war photographer she's always in the thick of it. While covering a war in the fictional nation of Uddiyana, she ends up taking what turns out to be a very special picture. She captures a picture of a makeshift UN flag created by some civilians in the war torn area. The picture becomes an important symbol of peace and it also elevates her status as a photojournalist.
Uddiyana is right on the verge of reaching a solid truce between enemies when the flag is stolen by an extremist group bent on destroying the peace process. The UN decices to send in a covert group named the SDC (Special Development Command) to track down the terrorists and get back the icon of peace. The unit consists of 7 members with various experience and skills as well as high-tech covert weaponry. The main baby being the armour-plated transforming vehicle named HAVWC (High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier). Not really a "transformer" persay, more a super tank that can stand up on two legs. Our heroine is given the special assignment of documenting this operation because of her link to the symbol.
Even with the mecha element, this series had a strong note of realisim. The anime was done in very subdued colours and the use of CGI was limited to the HAVWC battle segments. Both nicely done. The characters were well fleshed out and I found myself really caring for all of them--especially Shirasu. We see the whole piece pretty much through her eyes, documentary style. As she films and narrates we get a real sense of emotion during the situations. We also see her character grow and change from the beginning to the end. This makes the ending that much sadder. Like I said...the series had a note of realisim. The ending is no different. Things don't always end happily. But, don't let that discourage you from watching it. Feel free to get pissed off and cry a little...I did. That's what I believe they were going for.
So yeah...highly recommended.
Plot & theme (I have confused you by the simple reversal of words. Mwu, haaa, haaa, haaaaaa.):
Ahem...
The story focuses on a young photojournalist named Shirasu Saeko. As a "frontline" war photographer she's always in the thick of it. While covering a war in the fictional nation of Uddiyana, she ends up taking what turns out to be a very special picture. She captures a picture of a makeshift UN flag created by some civilians in the war torn area. The picture becomes an important symbol of peace and it also elevates her status as a photojournalist.
Uddiyana is right on the verge of reaching a solid truce between enemies when the flag is stolen by an extremist group bent on destroying the peace process. The UN decices to send in a covert group named the SDC (Special Development Command) to track down the terrorists and get back the icon of peace. The unit consists of 7 members with various experience and skills as well as high-tech covert weaponry. The main baby being the armour-plated transforming vehicle named HAVWC (High Agility Versatile Weapon Carrier). Not really a "transformer" persay, more a super tank that can stand up on two legs. Our heroine is given the special assignment of documenting this operation because of her link to the symbol.
Even with the mecha element, this series had a strong note of realisim. The anime was done in very subdued colours and the use of CGI was limited to the HAVWC battle segments. Both nicely done. The characters were well fleshed out and I found myself really caring for all of them--especially Shirasu. We see the whole piece pretty much through her eyes, documentary style. As she films and narrates we get a real sense of emotion during the situations. We also see her character grow and change from the beginning to the end. This makes the ending that much sadder. Like I said...the series had a note of realisim. The ending is no different. Things don't always end happily. But, don't let that discourage you from watching it. Feel free to get pissed off and cry a little...I did. That's what I believe they were going for.
So yeah...highly recommended.
FLAG Volume 1
Cover Art
CLAYMORE (2009) - Review Coming Soon
