Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri) is set in a steampunk version of
feudal Japan wherein a zombie apocalypse has forced humans to live inside
fortified “stations”, which are connected by railways and the only means of travel
between them are by armored trains called “Hayajiro.” However, it’s not uncommon for stations and
trains to be attacked and overwhelmed by the zombies, which are called Kabane. The Kabane are very difficult to defeat since
they are undead and can only be “killed” when their glowing hearts are
pierced. However, their hearts are
covered with an iron-like layer that is difficult to penetrate. Someone wounded by a Kabane is immediately
infected and will shortly transform into a Kabane. Hence, it’s a general and expected practice
for newly infected people – especially warriors – to commit suicide before
transforming into one. Dealing with this
kind of situation, humans live in widespread and constant dread and
paranoia.
The story centers on Ikoma, a young
“steamsmith” (an engineer) of the Aragane Station who is keen on completely
freeing the world from the Kabane threat.
He develops a powerful steam-powered piercing gun that is powerful
enough to penetrate the Kabane’s heart.
He gets the opportunity to successfully test his gun when the Kabane
invades the station. However, he’s
bitten in the process. But before he
can fully transform into a Kabane, he quickly makes use of another untested contraption
he invented that stops the infection from getting to his brain. Thus, he becomes a Kabaneri instead,
half-human and half-Kabane. His body
gains the strength, durability, and healing power of the Kabane, but his human
mind remains intact.
Coincidentally, another young Kabaneri
named Mumei, who happens to be a member of an elite Kabane slaying
organization called the Hunters, is visiting the Aragane Station during the time
of the Kabane attack. She and Ikoma help
the survivors escape the station by boarding the Hayajiro Kotetsujo. The two Kabaneri then take it upon themselves to protect the armored train and its passengers of
Aragane refugees from the hordes of Kabane in the outside world, while at the
same time, attempt to win the trust of the passengers who fear their
part-Kabane nature.
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress reminds me a lot of Attack on Titan. They are similar in tones and thematic DNA. There’s also somewhat of a similarity in their
worlds’ setups – humans living fearfully behind walls, unable to live in the open; mindless, nigh indestructible monsters; gas-powered weapons – only, with Kabaneri, it also has Jidaigeki (Japanese period drama) and a little of Snowpiercer
added in the mix as well.
I found its similarity with AoT a pro early on. While waiting for AoT’s season two – which keeps on getting postponed until the next
year of whatever year it’s announced to be scheduled on – I welcomed tasting in Kabaneri the familiar AoT
flavor I’ve been craving for in the past few years. However, as the series progressed, this
became a little bit more of a con, since it started to feel that Kabaneri is being an AoT knockoff.
At most parts – particularly at
the first episodes – Kabaneri successfully
delivers the thrills, badass action, reflection, and welling intrigue. But this gradually diminishes as the series
draws closer to its end. It doesn’t help
that the characters, though extremely likable, are given clichéd arcs. During a latter episode, in which the group
of non-Kabane bad guys were introduced, I felt that the story had become closer
to something done-to-death than innovative, which I originally deemed it to be.
In the end though, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is an
overall satisfying anime series to watch.
Taking all into consideration, it still weighs towards the positive
side. There’s an attractive cinematic quality
to its production value; the characters are very easy to get invested on and
grow fond of; and though there’s a noticeable weakening in the storytelling – which
initially started fresh and strong – when it begins treading on a
formulaic path during its last few episodes, it doesn’t completely fizzle out.
This anime will do until Attack on Titan season two arrives.
I kind of like a second season of this. Would love to see more of this endearing group. |
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