Science fiction: my fave genre of anything (LA movies/series, anime, novels, manga, comic books) of all time. The judgment comes harsh to all things sci-fi that I find lacking. So it was with a critical mind and a doubting soul that I sat down to watch the latest from Bones Studio: Kurau: Phantom Memory, Volume One.
Amami Kurau is the daughter of the Moon’s chief energy researcher, Amami Hajime. She lives alone with her father and housekeeper under the sparkling glitter of the lunar dome. On her 12th birthday, she accompanies her father to his lab where he conducts his experiments in new energies. In the midst of one of his latest experiments, the energies involved become unleashed. Manifested as twin rays of light, the energy pierces Kurau. She disintegrates into points of light and when she reassembles, she’s no longer Dr. Amami’s Kurau; she’s a Rynax, now in symbiosis with his daughter.
Fast forward ten years, change the setting to Earth and Kurau is a mercenary agent at the top of her game. Willing to do anything for a buck, she takes on the most dangerous missions, which consequently, pay the best. Infused with Rynax energy, she’s able to steal or accomplish just about any task laid before her; Kurau is a formidable young woman.
But within her is the gestating energy known as a Rynax Pair. Since Rynax exist only in doubles, Kurau’s has been slowly evolving withing her for ten long years. The Pair emerges one night and Kurau feels complete for the first time since she came to Earth.
Kurua, though, can’t keep her secrets for long, as government agents pursue her and her pair to steal those same secrets away.
Kurau, Phantom Memory Volume One was excellent! I thought to myself after watching Kurau become imbued with the Rynax, “Oh crap, another magical girl POS.” I was wrong, however. This isn’t a magical girl anime. Kurau’s use of her Rynax energy is most times subdued and unnoticeable. Other times it’s as flashy as the Fourth of July. But not once in Volume One, after the initial symbiosis took place, was there a drawn out naked transformation a la Jubei Chan or Sailor Moon.
Kurau’s character is a strong female with a no nonsense approach to everything. She has a pragmatic attitude and her outward demeanor is efficient and take charge. In a word; I love her. Kurau has a softer side, however. Her love for her father and protector is strong, even though she’s an unwanted habitant in his daughter’s body. Kurau’s absolute adoration for her Pair, Christmas, is tender and well conveyed. This dichotomy of tough agent and tender Pair plays out well.
Bones did a good job with matching the colors, technology, and character designs to go with the subject matter. The animation is excellent and the character designs are apropos. The cast of characters are global and lack the undefined genericness that blights some other titles; Kurau shows a lot of diversity. Phantom Memory’s futuristic technology is believable and well thought out. So far, this series feels like it’s of the speculative science fiction variety.
I really enjoyed the song “Lonely Freedom” as it was played throughout the episodes. The OP/ED was well done, though not exactly my cup of tea. I preferred Phantom Memory with the subs but the dubs won’t make you run to the hills. It’s up to you to choose, in the end, which you watch it with.
Kurau: Phantom Memory has truly started off on the right foot. I hope this series keep running strong for all 24 episodes.
Karau Volume One gets
outta four gummies.
Thanks ADV for letting us screen Kurau, Phantom Memory, Volume One!
Generally I tend to agree with your reviews.. but 4/4 is a bit too much, methinks. The series was good, but it just plopped around halfway through when the writers plugged in the 251st plot twist of doom.
The premise behind Kurau is really good- and it’s pretty to boot. It goes beyond the “magical girl” plot, and the cast is intresting enough. It’s just that when it keeps on /going/ on and on that you start wonderig where/when in the world the 24 episodes are going to end. The actual ending was a bit of a letdown, mostly because the series had a lot of potential.
But I liked it.
@Rymes, I haven’t seen the whole series yet; this is a review for volume one only. After reviewing all the volumes, I’ll go back and take all the past ratings and average them together to get an overall score. I don’t like scoring a series by volume, but that’s the way the program works.
so far, I really like this series. Only time will tell if I keep the same opinion.
rymes – No spoilers allowed!