Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam

[Fumoffu!!]

Okay, this is a series that has a hell of a lot to live up to, I consider this an important anime. I'm genuinely anxious to see how this will turn out, so let's get started:

1:

In the first few seconds, I was despairing already, it was some fan-service and an exchange found in average anime. However, whilst I never calmed down, my despair did lessen, and I do have some hope for this now.

Okay, so what are the good points? The animation, it's amazing, the CGI works excellently as well, then again you hope it would considering it looked pretty good already in the production 8 years ago, it's been a long time. The background music is pretty good too, some of it is slightly generic, but most of it was good, and much of it reminded me of the old Last Exile, particularly the first track that played after the opening. I know constant comparisons might not be appreciated, but for me it's inevitable, I'm going to do this the whole way through unless it falls well below the standard of the first one or it shows itself to be a completely different type of anime.

Anyway, I forgot, WE HAVE DIO. Now, I don't know if this is in the same universe, and if it is, I'm not sure if this is set before or after the original series, I don't know, and it doesn't matter much for now. In any case, if he's here, that's a boost to the characters...

...and they need a boost, they're looking pretty weak as of now, I'll see how they'll turn out, but they look to me as if they tend to the tropes. It's too early to slag them off too much, but they're quite disappointing.

The story, well, we're right into the thick of it already, which I think is for the best, since I didn't like the characters too much. Don't know how many episodes this is supposed to be, but I hope it's a 2-cour show, so we can get the proper development that we did in the original.

Seriously, I'm nervous to see how this one will turn out, I really liked the 2003 version, and I think this along with Penguindrum (and Working'!! for me) could make this an utterly fantastic season that will be the icing on the cake for 2011. It's been a good year, and it looks like Gonzo is staking a lot on this, I really hope it pays off. A good start, but not fantastic.

[hoarfrost]

I felt like a kid on Christmas as I was watching this one. Just being Last Exile makes this one of my favorites of the season from the start. Now I'm not sure about this new writer and already some characters have me skeptical (tsundere princess) but I'm going to give this more of a chance before I start panicking.

[myst]

Is this something I can pick up without having seen the original? Or should I go watch that first?

[Shadowmage]

Episode 1

GONZOOOOOOOh wait it's not that bad.   

Is this something I can pick up without having seen the original? Or should I go watch that first?

You don't have to watch the original, but I highly recommend it over this version.

[Flash Sword Irene]

Episode 1

If there is one thing that has not changed is the fact that no matter which version of Last Exile it is, I hate Dio and wish that he got shot already.  Same thing with fan service as I will never appreciate such a trashy element at all.  The production values are top notch and the music can only get better from here on out.  What I am interested to see is if this series can produce the kind of intrigue it's predecessor was able to produce which made it great.  On the other hand, Fam and co. can't really compare to Claus and co. unless they start to feel genuine.  Maybe I will warm up to the others except Fam and Miria since I will most likely end up hating them as much as I do Dio.

Overall, oddly enough the first episode seems like it was going through the motions more then anything else.  But, it is only the first episode and things should improve as they go along.

[AC]

Finally made some time to watch this much talked-about show of the season.

1:

GONZO seems to be splurging a lot for this, and for a first episode, they seem to be doing things right. But then again, this is GONZO, the same production studio that have only produced very few gems so I'll be cautious as to where the show goes from here.

First things first: amazing production values (animation, music... the works in general). Nothing to criticize for now, and that's a great start. Character-wise, they have done enough to pique my interest: there's Dio, whom I don't really hate per se but her identity does make me curious (why is a person from Ades origin hanging out with skyp pirates?); and Fam, who embraces the sky.

Unlike FSI, I want to take this show independently from the 2003 series; in other words, I'll try to not compare the two shows even if they're related and directed by the same person (that series is in its own class IMHO). For one, the tone in Silver Wing is very different; it's a lot lighter than the 2003 series, which is deliberately darker and more pensive. Plus, it's just a minor side thought, but I wonder if there's a equivalent of Alex Law in this version. He's one of the reasons why that show was awesome.

I can see that it has a lot more to offer, so I'll just sit back and enjoy the ride.

P.S. OP BY SAKAMOTO MAAYA FTW.

[Kylaran]

P.S. OP BY SAKAMOTO MAAYA FTW.

Please stop ruining my steampunk with your poppy shit.

N.B.: I love Sakamoto Maaya

[AC]

Don't hate the singer, hate the guy who puts her there in the first place.

She's gold.

[Fumoffu!!]

2:

Now, this was a pretty serious episode, there's no playing around, it's straight into the grit of it, with Exile being introduced right off the bat. The CGI scene of them flying around the interior of the ships wing mechanism wasn't great, it was just too CGI, but the rest of it was good animation wise.

I have confidence in this though, I think it could be brilliant. The characters are getting more likable as well, though I think the male-female protagonist duo worked better than this female-female one.

[Flash Sword Irene]

Episode 2

The music is starting to make me take notice and the OST may overall be a good one.  So, that is a good sign in that department.  The effort on improving the characters is actually pretty visible this episode even though I will never end up liking an awful character like Dio.  Still no mistaking that the end of this episode was pretty damn epic and the imagery at the end was quite nice.  So, I am already feeling some intrigue in this which is one of the elements I associate with Last Exile.

So, the promise of this show is already elevated and I hope that there is a good level of consistency from here on out.

[leokiko.]

2:

Now, this was a pretty serious episode, there's no playing around, it's straight into the grit of it, with Exile being introduced right off the bat. The CGI scene of them flying around the interior of the ships wing mechanism wasn't great, it was just too CGI, but the rest of it was good animation wise.

I have confidence in this though, I think it could be brilliant. The characters are getting more likable as well, though I think the male-female protagonist duo worked better than this female-female one.

That's my disappontment. That led me to think GONZO would try to appeal with moe-crap, which doesn't seem like it so far. But it's still episode 2....

[AC]

3:

Great episode in overall, although my minor peeve involves Maaya Sakamoto's song somewhat breaking the mood right at the end of the episode. It should've been used as the OP instead. Other than that, the series is really looking up: the characterization is beginning to develop, the story is becoming more interesting especially with the introduction of Exile right off the bat, and everything is visually pleasing. Fumoffu is right that it relied a tad too much on CGI, but at least it was still put to good use.

[leokiko.]

2:

Pacing was too fast, didn't understand much of what happened and couldn't care less about the kingdom and the princess. So far, not impressed. At least the music is good. And where is the cool male main character? Because Dio sucks. Fam and Giselle are good(I prefer Giselle,  Fam is too man-ish, hate to watch her), but I can't help wanting to rewatch the original Last Exile. Btw...what is going to be Fam-Giselle-Millia relationship? LEMME GUESS: BEST FRIENDS FOREVER! -.-.

*went off to rewatch Last Exile*

[Fumoffu!!]

3:

I don't like characters like Giselle, they're just an anti-preference (I forget the proper word for this) of mine, but I do like Fam a bit more than last episode, as well as the Princess. I don't think the Seiyuu are doing too good a job actually, when they're straining their voices, it isn't pleasant on the ears, particularly the Princess (Kayano, Ai - She seems to have a booster start to her career, all her roles are from this year I think) and Fam. Maybe it's just me though.

What I don't like is the lack of males, Dio hardly counts as one, where's a Claus or a Mullin Shepland character? I think the protagonists are unbalanced due to the lack of any males bar the father, Dio, and the children. Also, I'm getting this vibe from the opening, but is there going to be some hints of Yuri between Millia and Fam? Am I just shipping?


Oh yes. The Episode, forgot about that. It was fairly good, a bit average to be honest, but it's setting the scene, and I can take the time to learn the characters and the setting, because I'm quite forgetful on that front.

[AC]

3:

I'm trying very hard not to compare this with the 2003 series, I really am.

Minor peeve: I just don't like the idea of a kid being the all-powerful leader of a federation because it just lacks credibility. I'm not asking for a Maestro Delphine equivalent, which by the way was iconic in her own way, but if I were to acknowledge a leader, I must be at least convinced by why is he/she one in the first place. Same goes for the case of Alex Law: he was a leader in his own way too, and a charismatic one to boot too.

My point runs along the same line as what Fumoffu mentioned: the characters lack presence. Judging from what I've seen so far, it won't be farfetched to say that I won't remember the characters for a long time when it's all over. If this show strives to be great in its own right, it must either 1) outdo its 2003 series (like how TDK has outdone Tim Burton's Batman movies in some sense), or 2) try to be as different from the 2003 series as possible. Right now, it seems to be almost the same as the old series but is coming off as a more pale version. It's prettier for sure, but it only matters so much in light of characters and presentation.

It's still too early to judge this show, so I hope to see it improve soon. There are several areas that need improvement, after all.