Fairies, titans, swordsmen, and a master chess player
While some people may view anime as shows meant for kids, the target audience group is based on the quality and content of the anime. Among the numerous amounts of anime shows, there are “classics,” or famous anime loved by many people of all ages worldwide such as One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Detective Conan, Death Note, and Fullmetal Alchemist. These often have dynamic and memorable characters, immersive worlds, and an engaging plot. There are anime series targeted at a more specific audience such as Free, an anime about high school male swimmers which appeals mostly to females and Hellsing Ultimate which is mainly meant for lovers of vampires, blood, and violence. Unsurprisingly, there are anime series that are more popular among high schoolers. A few of these anime and their near-future sequels will be discussed in this article.
Code Geass Season 2 Image courtesy of picstopin.com
1. If one looks up the most popular character on myanimelist.net, one would see Lelouch Lamperouge, the protagonist of Code Geass, an original video animation that has completed two seasons as of September 28, 2018. Why is Lelouch so popular, and what is Code Geass about?
Code Geass is set in a world where the Holy Empire of Britannia established itself as the dominant military nation. After being conquered, Japan is renamed as Area 11. Rebels soon arise, seeking to regain Japan’s independence, but the military technology of the Empire easily suppresses them. Things change with the arrival of Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled, abandoned prince of Britannia who harbors nothing but hatred for his father, the King of Britannia, and his merciless slaughter of many innocent Japanese civilians. After obtaining the power of Geass, specifically for Lelouch “the power of absolute obedience” from a mysterious girl named C.C., he is finally given enough strength to execute his plan to destroy Britannia.
Code Geass is an action, mecha, and science-fiction anime that includes many elements to appeal to a wide audience. Its epic battles between armies of giant manned robots equipped with all kinds of technology (from giant swords to scalding beams to “wings”) definitely delight mecha fans. Its slender, crisp, character designs make it a work of art, and its fast-paced action and clever strategizing is sure to constantly stimulate the mind. The background music also enhances the overall quality.
Most importantly, Lelouch is outstanding. His status as the most popular character of all anime is easily understandable. Lelouch is simultaneously an innocent high schooler who is a part of his school’s student council, a genius chess player, a hero and an unmatched strategist in the eyes of his Japanese followers, a brother who loves his sister more than anyone else, as well as a manipulative, selfish leader. He makes clever, precise predictions and strategies while commanding his troops and allies, just like how he places his chess pieces in a game of chess. Charismatic and competent, it is unsurprising he wins the hearts of many.
All in all, Code Geass is definitely an anime worth watching, not just for the thrills, but also for the meaningful questions it raises: Should we live for the past, the present, or the future? Is the result the most important element, or is the process just as significant? Peace and order is achieved by what means, at what expense?
A movie for Code Geass titled Lelouch of the Re;surrection is said to be released in February 2019. It is recommended that viewers, whether fans or people new to the series, watch the three movie recaps released throughout 2017 and 2018, because a few changes are made to the original Code Geass story to pave the way for the new 2019 movie.
“All Hail Lelouch!”
Fairy Tail main members Image courtesy of wallpapermad.com
2. Based off the original manga released on August 2, 2006 by Hiro Mashima, two seasons of the anime Fairy Tail have already been aired by March 26, 2016. Fairy Tail immerses viewers in a fantasy world consisting of several magic guilds and many young adults magicians. The story focuses on the guild Fairy Tail, specifically on the celestial wizard Lucy Heartfalia, fire dragonslayer Natsu Dragneel, and their close knit group of friends including ice magic user Gray Fullbuster, magic knight user Erza Scarlet, and wind dragon slayer Wendy. Selina Tai (12A), a big fan of Fairy Tail, said, “When I watched the first season 8 years ago, I was fascinated by the thrilling plot, strong bonds between characters, and the detailed character designs. Each character has an inborn unique talent and magic power. The friendships among the characters [in particular] motivated me to be more considerate, and taught me to cherish my friends. Fairy Tail’s background music made my blood boil. I thought the theme of the music was really related to the actual plot.”
Although some have criticized the decreased quality of the character art in season 2, overall, Fairy Tail is a show worth watching for fun. Season 3 of Fairy Tail is scheduled to air on October 7, 2018. Give it a try!
Sword Art Online Image courtesy of zerochan.net
3. Originally a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara, Sword Art Online has been adapted into a well-received manga and anime. As of December 20, 2014, two seasons of Sword Art Online, an adventure and science-fiction anime, have been aired. Kevin Zhou (12C), current President of the Anime, Comic, and Gaming Club, supplied, “Sword Art Online is a series of stories in which Kirito, the main character, plays several video games in virtual reality with his life on the line. With many, memorable showings of his strength and skill in swordsmenship (in-game only of course, he can barely swing a word in real life), it becomes easy to fall for [this] feminine male main character, who does at one point dress like a female. The plot might feel a bit stale after Kirito easily cuts through everything for the Nth time, but all in all, Sword Art Online is a definite must see, anime fan or not, and has lived on as a modern classic that is becoming better and better. Look forward to [Season 3] The Underworld Arc in October [2018]!”
Attacking the Colossal Titan Image courtesy of zerochan.net
4. Attack on Titan is a well-known action, adventure, and dark fantasy anime. Adapted from the manga created by Hajima Isayama from September 9, 2009, there have been two seasons and three movies released so far. Katherine Liu (11A), a fan of Attack on Titan, explained, (Spoiler alert!) “Season 1 of the anime established a very suspenseful plot and posed several interesting questions: Why were humans trapped inside the walls? Why did Titans appear outside the walls? Why do they eat humans? Season 2 was even more surprising. There were Titans inside the walls, and some spoke human language! When I learned some Titans were originally humans, I was surprised. There were [numerous] plot twists and turns, really enrapturing the audience, making it incredibly hard to turn away from this show. The characters are also each charming in their own ways. The main character Eren’s hatred for Titans was really shown in Season 1, when the audience watches young Eren’s mom get eaten by a Titan. Levi, Captain of the Scouting Division, has a terrible personality and is a clean freak, but he is very popular. Why? It’s because he’s super strong. He’s known among the Titans to be the strongest human ever. He’s very flexible, capable of making very clean cuts on the Titans. And now we get to the music, which is even more impressive. The first opening of Season 1 really illustrates the wide worldview of the Titans and expresses the fighting spirit of the humans battling against the Titans. The fiery, majestic feeling really comes through, leaving a rather deep impression on the audience. [Last but not least], similar to Tokyo Ghoul, Attack on Titan depicts the struggle between different species, specifically between humans and Titans and even the survival conflict among humans. It wants the audience to really think about how humans should learn to coexist with other creatures and each other. If we continue to view them as enemies, there will only be more bloodshed for both sides. How we conquer this difficulty, how we move towards coexisting in peace and harmony, that is the key.”
Katherine also suggested that Season 3 seems like it has potential and that she waits in excitement for its ending. Although some people complain that the pacing has been too slow and that the art style has changed, most still feel that it’s a great anime after watching episode 7 of season 3. In 20 minutes, episode 7 explains in detail the changes in many characters’ attitude and thinking. “It presented the details perfectly,” Katherine commented.
Season 3 of Attack on Titan aired on July 23, 2018. Check it out!
Featured image – Code Geass Sequel Movie: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Courtesy of codegeass.org