Appleseed

Genre: Mecha / Action
Parental Guidance Recommended
Creator: Masume Shirow
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama

SHOPPING:

Appleseed DVDs Appleseed Art Books & Manga Appleseed Original Soundtrack Appleseed Apparel Everything Appleseed

Cover Description:
Based on the captivating manga comic book series created by the acclaimed Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell), Appleseed is a high-octane, action packed race against time as the future of civilization hangs in the balance. After the devastation of World War III, the scattered governments of the world construct the perfect city - but life in Olympus is carefully controlled and monitored by Biodroids - artificially created half-human half-robots. A dedicated band of terrorists plot to destroy the central computer to restore freedom to mankind.

I know a lot of people like this. >>> by firesenshi
I just don't. The concept of a utopian world where half-human and half-robot Biodroids exist is good. The struggle of humanity for freedom against a fully controlled "perfect" society is also good. Main characters (whose names escape me even though I saw this just three days ago) do have a lot of spunk but I wonder how it is that in the end, the story can move without them. You have a fine antagonist with a past and an understandable motive, which is clearer to me than those of the 'main' characters'. Oh, there are a lot of supporting characters necessary to the concept of a complex, controlled utopian society. Despite what seems to be an anime with too many players, the plot is clear. You won't be confused in following the storyline. The problem, as said in the back cover, is the plan of terrorists to destroy the central computer to restore freedom to mankind. Additional backgrounds are in there of course, to add more depth to the personality of the characters, but this one simple thing is all you need to know as key events happen one by one towards solving or proliferating this problem.

With the mecha designs and armor suits very nicely designed, I find it a little odd seeing a Biodroid with rabbit-looking ears. And I just can't get attached to any of the characters. Maybe that's why I didn't like it.

Individual Rating: Art/Animation 6; Story 7; Characters 5; Sounds 8