Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

I was attracted to watch this series (originally released in 2016) because of the many Attack on Titan fans who cite it as a similar sort of anime.

I'm torn about the show - on the one hand it's an epic anime with non-stop action, interesting character potential, beautifully depicted world-building and a driving storyline that never pauses or gets dull. On the other hand, at just 12 episodes long it's way too short and lacks much explanation of a backstory and at times feels rushed. Overall however, it's still highly entertaining and well worth watching if you like Attack on Titan. Expect to see a LOT of trains.

Kabaneri is set in an alternate timeline where the Shogun and his samurai still rule the land but have developed advanced steampunk technology (trains mainly - you'll see a LOT of trains). Spread throughout the land are zombies that are fast, mobile and deadly.

The main theme appears at first to be about how the humans are trying to survive against the zombies, or kabane as the story calls them. The deeper plot reveals a worse enemy in the form of some of the humans themselves.

As mentioned above, the show doesn't give much time to explore the backstory or explain other aspects. We don't know for instance how the kabane came to be apart from that it is just a virus. Lots of things that seem really interesting and complex are just glossed over. As a viewer you just have to accept that things appear and you have to run with it. I guess that's the limitations of a 12 episode series, especially one not based on a previously published manga series.

Central to the story is our principle hero, a young man named Ikoma, who is just a humble train technician by day, but by night, a tinkerer who builds his own anti-kabane weapons. He befriends a young girl, Mumei, and their relationship drives the story right to the very end. It's not a romance or love story per se, but without giving away spoilers, it's worth noting how their relationship is very important to the whole story.

I really wish they could have made this a longer running anime of at least two season's worth. There's definitely plenty of areas where characters and plots could have been expanded upon. I suppose on the plus side, with such a limited time frame, the anime really zips along at a swift pace so there's never any dull or fill-in moments.

There are two things that really stand out in this anime - the music and the artwork. Both are superb, especially the songs sung by Aimer. I could freeze-frame any moment from the anime and you would believe it was a painting to be hung on the wall, such is the quality of the hand drawn artwork. 

Overall, if you want something very accessible, exciting and in an easy to digest one series format, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is worth watching especially if you already like Attack on Titan.

7/10

Available on Amazon Prime Video

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