Guin Saga: episode 1 and 2 review
Guin Saga is based on the novels with the same name by Kaoru Kurimoto, which are constantly on the best-seller list in Japan, with millions of copies sold until now. When i started to watch some of the fantasy anime that aired in this spring, Guin Saqa was looking the most promising. And indeed it is. At least for me. Sengoku Basara is crazy and fun but it doesn’t have too much substance and Tears to Tiara turned out to be just a light/generic anime that ruins every good scene with bad humor.
Guin Saga has something special. Could be the man with leopard face, or his dark past, or just the great battle scenes. I cannot identify precisely the element. It is not the best fantasy anime i have ever seen, but it is an anime that makes you wait for the next episode with impatience and anticipation. Plus, it really looks epic.
The story starts rather common for a fantasy anime. The Mongaul army invades the kingdom of Paro and they slay its king and queen. The prince and the princess, Remus and Rinda (or is it Lemus and Linda ^^), are in danger but they escape with the help of a mage. They are teleported far away from the castle, in a strange forest. There they are caught up by some Mongaul soldiers but they are rescued by a strange man.
A man with leopard head. This man, Guin, who barely recalls his name, has a terrible strength. He kills the soldiers with his bare hands, without much trouble. Together, they start the journey through the forest, but at a point the Mongaul army captures them. They are taken to a Mongaul castle where Guin is thrown into a battle arena. This is a cruel synopsis of the first two episodes, and i hope i did not made too much of a spoiler.
The story moves slow and the development of the characters too, but that is common to almost every anime. You don’t get too much of the story, only a general idea to where this anime will point in the future. Guin, trying to remember who he is and what is his purpose, and Remus and Rinda, exiled prince and princess. If Guin is a fascinating character with huge promises for further development, the two kids are a little exaggerated. First, Remus is a cry baby who always finds something to complain and he is always afraid. Pretty real i may say, for a kid raised in palace and who now must survive in a hostile environment. Yes, but he gets to be very annoying for the viewer. On the other half, Rinda, who is in the same situation but reacts too adult-like and she is too cold blooded for her age and her situation. Not a major flaw anyway, but more like an annoyance. But what an anime will be without an annoying character, eh?
I liked very much the battle scenes, a very good characteristic of this anime. If you are a fan of violent great looking fantasy battles, Guin Saga is the anime for you. Guin is more than Conan, more than a strong fighter. He explodes into action, he bends shields with his hands and he crushes soldiers into trees, in a berserker fury. And if the fights are great, wait to see the scenery. The backgrounds will take your breath away. Mountains, haunted forests, castles, battle arenas. Full of rich colors and beautiful light effects, very fitting for a fantasy anime. Also, the animation is fluid, clear and you won’t see economical frame cutting. Epic all inspiring music accompanies the animation. Great musical scores are during the battle scenes too, when Guin unleashes his inhuman power. When you will hear the music you will run in the attic to grab your sword. I am not kidding. And heavenly ending credits, singed in Latin, Japanese and English. This is my road…
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