Review of Casshern Sins

Journeys are funny things. As the old cliche goes, "It's not the destination that matters, but the journey". That being said, sometimes the destination isn't what a person thinks it will be, as is the case for humanoid robot Casshern, a being with eternal life in a world ravaged by the apocalypse. Now, let's look to see if Casshern's journey is one worth taking. Story: 8 The story of Casshern Sins is one that begins with a protagonist without memories. As he embarks on a journey for answers, this robot, Casshern, is confronted with the cold reality of death everywhere he travels. Some try to escape death,while others live their lives to the fullest as they accept their demise. The overall story of the series serves to tie together different adventures along Casshern's journey. Every so often, details about the origin of the Ruin are unearthed, placed carefully to keep the overall plot momentum. Character back stories, struggles against death, dynamic battle scenes and tender moments all blend together to create a world of life in the face of death. Unexpected surprises await the cast as they wander from place to place but the end result is one that is both appropriate and humbling.

The pacing of this series is both an achievement and a pitfall. It remains consistent throughout, allowing characters to get their time in the spotlight. Every episode also has a balance of action and conversation to keep, allowing the audience to fall into a rhythm. However, the show takes its time, as if slowly unrolling a painting, showing the picture at a calm pace. Because of this slow pace, each episode feels longer than it truly is. This leaves the pacing in a quandary: any faster and the story would have seemed rushed, yet as it is, it can seem a bit too slow for some. For this reason, it's up to the viewer themselves to choose whether or not this is a problem.

Art: 8

The art captures the dark mood and intensity the story requires. The stylized appearances of characters like Casshern and Dio contrasts with the barren metallic wasteland they live in. Each character has their distinct look, allowing them stand apart from their other robotic brethren. The action scenes, although sometimes brief and repeated, use varying views, image lines and the environment in general to illustrate gruesome struggles of robotic dominance.

The opening uses stills in a kind of picture montage that goes well with the music. In an age of moving openings, it's stiffness seems a tad out of place. However, it is this stiffness that sets it apart from other openings and makes is appropriate for the tone of the series.

Sound: 9

The music and voice acting are among the strongest parts the show. The music captures the harrowing tone of death and the despair it can induce, with no preppy beats to be found. The BGM is timed nicely and changes when necessary. One track in particular, a song named 'A Path', is a bitter sweet song, played during some of the more powerful scenes. The opening, Aoi Hana, complements the opening animation, captures the blend between action and drama and is overall quite appropriate. The 4 endings vary in quality. The first ending, Reason, is nice for its place in the series, as it follows Casshern's initial journeys in his world. The second ending, Aoi Kage, only follows one episode and seems out of place in the mostly atmospheric OST. In my opinion, it sounded like it belonged in Casshern's original series. The third opening is yet another calming track that shows internal struggles within the characters and serves as a perfect fit for it's designated arc. The last ending for the final episode is A Path, the song I mentioned earlier. It's a versatile track, serving as both a good background piece and a nice ending.

The voice acting is illustrated through a great vocal cast. The sub is good, so those who are looking for the original actors need not worry. However, the dub is among the best dubs in recent memory. Eric Vale as Casshern (think Trunks from Dragonball Z) takes his acting to the next level, delivering the controlled ferocity and wholehearted determination that his role calls for. Brina Palencia also does a good job as Lyuze, with her performance only getting better from her first scenes. Jerry Jewell is an interesting choice for Dio but ends up doing a masterful job portraying Dio's subtle insanity. There are more examples, proving that different voice actors can redefine characters.

Characters: 8

Once again, this is show about characters and the way they deal with death, making it very character driven. To preserve the enjoyment of discovering the characters, I'll keep this brief.

Casshern: A young man who starts off as an amnesiac protagonist but matures into a person who understands the impact of death in the lives of the living.

Lyuze: A sister to one of the guardians of the Sun named Moon, Lyuze seeks out Casshern, for more reasons than one.

Dio: Another robot who seeks out Casshern to validate his own existence.

Ouji and Ringo: A pair of adventurers who meet with Casshern on a number of occasions, their fates becoming ever more tightly bound to his.

Assorted Robots and side characters: Each episode places Casshern in a new situation. A person (or group of people) who is facing their impending doom tries to live their lives how they want. Some descend into madness, while other find inner peace. While the names of individuals might not stick with viewers, their legacies live on in Casshern and the other characters, changing them.

Enjoyment: 8

Casshern Sins is a slow series that takes it's time. Each character gets the respect they deserve and no episode is wasted. While the pacing has the potential to be a problem, those who make the long journey will not be disappointed. With powerful action scenes and simple yet effective dialogue, fans who want the best of both worlds are sure to find something to love in the series.

Overall: 8
Casshern Sins is an example of a journey well traveled. It may seem to drag at times, but it's never boring. Instead of soaking the entire series in a melodramatic tale, the story skillfully peppers various adventures before reaching a satisfying destination. The art is stylized with impactful action scenes, dark environments and notable character designs. The sound is a key aspect of portraying the series' themes and with an OST that hits the right notes and voice acting that defines characters into unique individuals, Casshern has an auditory substance that few modern series can match. The main characters are relatable and mature along with the audience, exhibiting that even in times of death, people can still grow. If you're ready for the long journey, Casshern Sins is a show you won't regret.