Back Arrow (2021)

[バック・アロウ]

Director: Goro Taniguchi
Studio: Studio VOLN
Starring: Yuki Kaji, Tomokazu Sugita, Aya Suzaki
Episodes: 24

Synopsis:
In a walled-off world, an amnesiac outsider crashlands in a remote village.

Impressions:
I actually didn't know that the director of Code Geass and the writer of Gurren Lagann had teamed up to make this series until well after I got into it. You can definitely see elements of both series, but don't expect this to reach the same heights. Honestly, more than those two series, this reminds me more of G Gundam for how loony it is (but entertainingly so for the most part). I like the idea of how a Briheight's powers are determined by the conviction of the user, which is an idea that meshes well with a lot of the tropes of mecha series. While the core cast is rather solid, the peanut gallery is insufferable. Personally, I delighted in the Edger villagers being cosmic chew toys because they're a pack of moronic backstabbing ingrates. The ignorant masses are little better elsewhere, but I believe I've commented before on how Japanese authors have this special way of making me absolutely despise civilian randos. If you take things too seriously, you're not going to have a good experience, but if you cut loose and embrace all the crazy stuff that happens, you're in for a fairly enjoyable ride. With that mindset, I can easily recommend giving it a watch. Actually, I'd say Emperor Zetsu alone is reason enough to warrant a watch. Zetsu Daidan! Zetsu Daidan!

Rating:
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