Series Recommendation: Aquarion Logos
All you need to do is call my name
For I am…the Saviour!
For I am…the Saviour!
Well, here it comes everyone. The distant relative that everyone pretended didn’t exist, but it’s not like it has nothing to offer. The fabled 3rd entry in the Aquarion series that – for all intents and purpose – depart from almost everything the previous two entries have built. That means forfeiting the pros but also evade some of the cons (or is it). Anyway, let’s take a look at this series: Aquarion Logos.
Aquarion Logos introduces a completely new concept. Instead of Dark Angels versus humanity, this time the invaders are…Kanjis – yes the Japanese language system has finally rebelled against humanity due to the manipulation of Kenzaki Sougon. He aims to wipe the written language from the Earth so we will return to the purity of the spoken language. Standing in his way is the organization DEAVA – who use Vector machines to combat the Kanji monsters. But in comes an extraordinary guy that claim to be a “Saviour”: Akira Kaibuki. Along with a team of diverse personalities, Akira set out to perform his “saving” and fight against Sougon’s plan.
+ Plot: Well, this new direction is certainly an interesting and unique concept that isn’t just different from the other Aquarions, but is quite different from other mecha series in general. The idea of turning “words” into hostile entities that warp the literal concept of the words in real world is actually quite interesting. Although that is the case, some execution on the concept feels a bit too reaching and sorta random. Sougon as a villain is not very compelling as his motivation wasn’t too properly explained and even then, it’s not a really good one.
The main cast is a somewhat breath of fresh air. Since there’s no focus on reincarnation stuff, every character seems like their own person more. Logos features a more contemporary cast – with personality fitting that of the current generation of youths at the time of release. Being a vlogger, being a seiyuu, being a politician, etc… they are very…realistic goals rather than just purely “combat the angels and protect the world” of the previous series. This create a different atmosphere for DEAVA as an organization and a contrast to the main character whose sole purpose seems to be “saving” others and practically nothing else. Akira on his own is a very peculiar protagonist and not very likeable, but thanks to Maia – his “Celine” in this series – the two manage to grow out of their shell and really brought each other up. Although Akira took a significantly longer time. I do believe Logos can cut many episodes and condense the plot more.
+ Plot: Well, this new direction is certainly an interesting and unique concept that isn’t just different from the other Aquarions, but is quite different from other mecha series in general. The idea of turning “words” into hostile entities that warp the literal concept of the words in real world is actually quite interesting. Although that is the case, some execution on the concept feels a bit too reaching and sorta random. Sougon as a villain is not very compelling as his motivation wasn’t too properly explained and even then, it’s not a really good one.
The main cast is a somewhat breath of fresh air. Since there’s no focus on reincarnation stuff, every character seems like their own person more. Logos features a more contemporary cast – with personality fitting that of the current generation of youths at the time of release. Being a vlogger, being a seiyuu, being a politician, etc… they are very…realistic goals rather than just purely “combat the angels and protect the world” of the previous series. This create a different atmosphere for DEAVA as an organization and a contrast to the main character whose sole purpose seems to be “saving” others and practically nothing else. Akira on his own is a very peculiar protagonist and not very likeable, but thanks to Maia – his “Celine” in this series – the two manage to grow out of their shell and really brought each other up. Although Akira took a significantly longer time. I do believe Logos can cut many episodes and condense the plot more.
+ Animation: The most well done yet worst looking of all three Aquarions. The character artstyle of Logos is seriously bad. Everything looks fine except the mouths. They are super small and move really weirdly whenever any of them talk, especially the male characters. The girls have it good since they look quite attractive and normal.
In terms of 3D mecha animation, the series did a very find job. The diversity of attacks and form really help create some form of uniqueness since the battle are mostly very brief. The Vectors individual scenes are actually quite good as well. Although this is Aquarion, and the weirdest one at that, so there are some battles that are REALLY, REALLY mindboggling. But when the plot demands it, the fight became much better.
+ Mecha Design: Unlike the previous entries, the Aquarion(s) in this series isn’t restricted to three-unit combo or humanoid shape but literally anything that the vectors can form. I do think the designer – Stanislas Brunet – came up with the designs for the Vectors – make them varied in shapes and then mash them up to come up with the forms. The creativity is quite commendable, but it doesn’t really feel…Aquarion at all. Although there are some units that adhere to the standard Aquarion style, the departure from the norm is both a bold choice and a risky one. Some of them feel right at home with an Aquarion series and some of them are pushing the absolute boundaries.
In terms of 3D mecha animation, the series did a very find job. The diversity of attacks and form really help create some form of uniqueness since the battle are mostly very brief. The Vectors individual scenes are actually quite good as well. Although this is Aquarion, and the weirdest one at that, so there are some battles that are REALLY, REALLY mindboggling. But when the plot demands it, the fight became much better.
+ Mecha Design: Unlike the previous entries, the Aquarion(s) in this series isn’t restricted to three-unit combo or humanoid shape but literally anything that the vectors can form. I do think the designer – Stanislas Brunet – came up with the designs for the Vectors – make them varied in shapes and then mash them up to come up with the forms. The creativity is quite commendable, but it doesn’t really feel…Aquarion at all. Although there are some units that adhere to the standard Aquarion style, the departure from the norm is both a bold choice and a risky one. Some of them feel right at home with an Aquarion series and some of them are pushing the absolute boundaries.
+ Music: If at first you mistook the series for a Macross series (particularly Frontier), then you’re not wrong. May’n aka Sheryl sung all the OPs and 1 ED for the series. One of the characters – Kokone – also sung one of the two EDs as well. As a series that emphasize the power of words, the first Ending is really nicely done. May’n still retains her top-tier form with her powerful and unique vocals that brings the sassy feel to the songs, as well as giving the feel of “love” to the series.
+ Conclusion: Overall, Aquarion Logos might as well be a separate series altogether and is just Aquarion by name. The concept, the execution and the settings are basically a complete reimagining of the base series, with a modern twist on some classic tropes. The settings is interesting, the 3D animation is well done, however the cast aren’t as engaging and compelling as others and the character artstyle isn’t very comfortable to pay close attention to. If you approach Logos, you need to discard everything you expect from the Aquarion series and just roll with the series, because it surely will surprise you with many things.
+ Conclusion: Overall, Aquarion Logos might as well be a separate series altogether and is just Aquarion by name. The concept, the execution and the settings are basically a complete reimagining of the base series, with a modern twist on some classic tropes. The settings is interesting, the 3D animation is well done, however the cast aren’t as engaging and compelling as others and the character artstyle isn’t very comfortable to pay close attention to. If you approach Logos, you need to discard everything you expect from the Aquarion series and just roll with the series, because it surely will surprise you with many things.
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