Series Synopsis
Yashiro Isana (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa), better known as Shiro, is a popular student at Ashinaka High School.
One day, Shiro is suddenly attacked by the infamous organization known as HOMRA. While running from his assailants, Shiro is saved by a mysterious man named Kuroh Yatogami (voiced by Daisuke Ono), the Black Dog.
The rescue is short lived when Kuroh explains that his mission is to find and kill a person known as the Seventh and Colorless King. Almost on cue, HOMRA releases a video showing a person, resembling Shiro, claiming to be the Colorless King as he kills one of their members.
Despite the damning evidence, Shiro has no memory of killing anyone or any knowledge of this so called Colorless King.
Although he is able to convince Kuroh of his innocence for the time being, Shiro still on run from HOMRA, led by the Third and Red King Mikoto Suoh (voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda), and as well as the organization known as Scepter 4, led by the Fourth and Blue King Reisi Munakata (voiced by Tomokazu Sugita). To aid him, Shiro relies on the help of Kuroh and a strange girl named Neko (voiced by Mikako Komatsu).
Series Positives
There is a lot to this anime. So let me start off by saying that it's completely awesome.
Yashiro “Shiro” Isana
From the very start, Shiro establishes himself as an interesting character. He is always able to maintain a calm attitude, reaching the point where it appears as though he couldn’t care less about his surroundings and the people he interacts with. However, the complete opposite is true. He gets along with everyone and treats them as friends, as well as genuinely cares about their safety and wellbeing. His carefree approach is a symptom of his own cleverness. Shiro will most likely be able to think his way out of any situation he finds himself in, and he knows it too.
While it is rare, Shiro is shown to get flustered and even down right terrified at times. This demonstrates that he is indeed a human who's not perfect.
The show takes a pretty big gamble with its main protagonist's personality. Early on there are times where Shiro should probably be a little more concerned about the direness of the situations he finds himself in. However the show comes through and by the end it's clear why Shiro could act the way he did.
The Story
If you find yourself confused by what is going on a few episodes in, join the club. Luckily it will all make sense by the end. Yes the story can be confusing at times, but it is because of the nature of what is being told.
The show is dealing with a character whose memories do not add up and people whose motives are not all that clear. So throughout the series you know just as much as everyone on screen. And when done correctly, like K, it is an effective and engaging way to tell a story.
The show really requires you to pay attention because nothing you see and nothing is done by accident. Everything has a point. Saw something in episode one that seemed out of place, it’s important. The series does an amazing job by making these moments quick enough to leave you wondering, but not too subtle where you might forget about a particular event when it is brought up again.
Another plus about the story is the ambiguity around who the protagonists and the antagonists really are. While you are trying to figure out what is happening, you are also seeing the many sides of the major players involved. So it is really up to you to decide who you want to route for until the true villain is finally revealed.
The Visuals
Imagine for a moment that K’s story was just average and not all that special. My opinion of show would most likely not change all that much because the visuals alone would more than make up for it. The animation is just gorgeous to look at; pure eye candy. Within the first few seconds of the first episode it smacks you across the face on how great everything looks.
If I had to compare it to anything, I would say that it is similar to the animation style of Death Note. But whereas Death Note is dark and gritty, K is bright and vibrant.
There are many fight scenes, and each one is fun to just look at. They're all exciting, they all mean something, and they're all incredible pieces of visual art.
Everything is very crisp and sharp. It allows you to feel the emotions of the characters. When someone is mad, you feel the anger in every punch thrown. When someone is soothing, you feel the warmth of their presence. When some dies, you feel the sadness of the ones left behind. And the best part of it all, it is never told; you see it for yourself.
Series Negatives
K does most everything right. However there are some slight problems that are keeping it from becoming one the best.
Neko
Do not misunderstand, Neko is a great character. She's cute, funny, and very lovable. However the show down plays how important she is to the series as a whole. Many of the things that happen are only possible because of what Neko is able to do. So by the end, you only have a solid understanding of who she is, but not so much what she is.
I could try and risk spoiling the role Neko plays, but I'm simply unable to do that. It's unclear how her character fits in with the world of K. She is it; she is the only example we have to go on. Amongst all the mythos of the kings and clansmen, Neko doesn’t seem to belong and only serves as a catalyst to push the story forward. This is so disappointing because it could have been fixed with just a little more detail.
Unneeded Humor
K, for the most part, is able to maintain a solid balance between humor and tension. That being said, there are a few times where comedy seems to be forced into a scene when there’s no need for it.
This is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to anime.
I love anime humor. But series often time fail to understand that once you set a serious mode, don’t add in a stupid joke. For K it does this just one too many times. It's a complete tension killer. Luckily K is able to quickly get back on track. However you are left wondering why it was even bothered with it?
Final Thoughts
K is a fantastic show. The story is great, the characters are outstanding, and it is just a treat to watch.
I have no problem saying that this is now one of my favorite anime of all time and I highly encourage as many people as possible to go and check it out. In fact if you have any interest in anime at all, why are you still reading this?
 |
| Google+ Facebook Twitter |
Others in the K Series
| photo b |
| photo b |
| photo b |
No comments:
Post a Comment