“Last Exile” is one of those anime that could have been a full length epic movie and in effect that is what I feel like I’ve watched when I’m done with it.
The soundtrack does an incredible job of setting the tone and mood and unlike many anime soundtracks is one that I actually want to listen to outside of watching the anime itself.
The world of Last Exile is reminiscent of pre-WW2 Weimar Germany… with the addition of hovercraft technology and severe global ecological problems. At times it feels a bit steampunk without making that an overbearing principle of the series. Rather, it is like details added to the background to give the story more depth. Water is scarce, the people struggle to survive under the aristocracy, some of whom are compassionate and others who are not. All is watched over by the “Guild” who have a monopoly on large scale hover/flight technology.
Enter Klaus and Lavie who together pilot a vanship, a small two seat hoverplane taking messenger and delivery jobs. They find themselves caught up in a series of events that while seemingly unrelated end up having far reaching consequences for the rest of the world.
I’m not aware of any anime similar that Last Exile could be compared to. It is a fairly serious anime, it is “grand” and “epic” after all. Though a few points will make a person laugh. I’ve only watch the Japanese version so I am unsure of the quality of the dubbing.
Some series have varying art quality, but Last Exile maintains a level of detail and quality through out the series that truly is impressive. I have a hard time watching other anime afterward because it is so noticeable how different the quality of the artwork and drawing styles are. If you are familiar with Haibane Renmei or Serial Experiments: Lain the art appears to be related. I wouldn’t be surprised if the artists behind them are the same.
This is one of the few series that I personally felt was worth buying. Most anime I’ll watch once and be done with it. Last Exile is one that I felt was compelling enough to keep around.
Way cool! We’re currently working our way through the series, just started Disc One.
We really enjoyed it.
You still got Twelve Kingdoms on tap for viewing sometime?
Looks awesome, I’ve been wanting to watch a good anime series lately. I’ve caught plenty of movies but I think the last time I’ve gone through a season of something was with Serial Experiments: Lain back in the day. Might need to ask my roomie to Netflix it.
Twelve Kingdoms is next up on the list! What with recent changes, I’ll need to set up a new Netflix account.
Damn. I have some catching up to do–still have to watch Samurai Champloo
Just started Disc One today. I have to admit, while the animation is great, I haven’t found myself very compelled by the story yet. May just have to keep with it. Haven’t watched much anime lately so I may just need to get used to it again.
I recall the first few episodes as being rather slow. Though, I think in the grand scheme of the series it works to display the descent into chaos and uncertainty as the rest of the episodes unfold. One has to recognize that Klaus and Lavie had built a stable life for themselves and it was only random chance that took them and put them into the middle of things. They weren’t heroes destined at birth for great things or “chosen”. Just two normal people who got caught in the middle of things far greater than themselves.