Last Exile (Review)
Last Exile is an Anime that Takes Flight!
Last Exile stands alone as one of the most unique anime I’ve had the pleasure of watching. It’s an original series created by Gonzo, and it is directed by Koichi Chigira (who has directed such series as Full Metal Panic!). However, the true stars of the series are character designer Range Murata and production designer Mahiro Maeda, who come together to create an incredibly vivid and beautiful world, filled with intriguing characters that capture the hearts of it’s audience.
The series follows two vanship (think of it as a plane with no wings) couriers, pilot Klaus Valca (voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch) and navigator Lavie Head (voiced by Kari Wahlgren). While they’re both only teenagers, they soon find themselves thrust into the middle of an adventure when they accept a mission to deliver a special package to the warship Silvana. The package turns out to be a young girl named Alvis E. Hamilton (voiced by Michelle Ruff), who happens to be the key to accessing a mystical force known as Exile. While Klaus and Lavie agree to stay on board the Silvana, they find themselves fighting against another country known as the Disith. Things go from bad to worse when the mysterious and technologically superior Guild get involved in the war, trying to get a hold of Alvis for their own purposes.
Range Murata and Mahiro Maeda create a world that has an anglophile/steampunk feel to it, which has the unique possibility of possessing a wider appeal then any anime series I’ve seen before. In a way, it’s reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s earlier work. The design of the series is simple, yet extremely well thought out. Murata really manages to bring the characters to life with his designs, giving them unique looks with out over-designing them. While the animation is clean and crisp, the world in which the series takes place is anything but that. It’s filled with Victorian influences, which contrast with the unique, rusted technology that makes up the war. The two artists blend together the past and the present to create a unique world that feels alien, yet familiar.
Last Exile is a series that I feel confident will be enjoyed by anyone who takes the time to watch it. When I first sat through the series, I found myself strangely addicted and filled all of my spare time with it. Its storyline is well thought out, and, while it might feel like it gets out of hand at some points, these instances are easily forgivable. This, mixed with the intricate characters and fluid, beautiful animation, makes for an anime that really shines, especially during the numerous vanship races and dogfights, which are reminiscent of those from World War I. If you’re an anime fan trying to get your friend into the genre, I would suggest sitting down with them to watch this series. For hardcore fans, it’s nice to get away from all the swordplay and transforming teenagers to focus on a compelling and thought-provoking series. It’s a beautiful series that casts a wide net and can be enjoyed by most people. Last Exile has earned a spot on my own personal top ten anime list.
