Review of Texhnolyze
For Texhnolyze, there are 2 main opinions that people have after watching it: it's a slow, confusing slog that they either got little enjoyment out of or didn't enjoy at all, or they believe its a truly unique piece of media that has some interesting things to say, and that says them in an interesting way. I am of the latter group, although I 100% understand the reasons for being in the former. This show really isn't for everyone, it can be confusing and slow-paced, and some people may just not really like it for reasons like that. They just won't "get" it, not tosay they are too dumb to enjoy this show, that's not it, it just really isn't for them. Compared to more popular and less experimental works, Texhnolyze is weird, it's dark, it does things differently, and while some people won't like how it tells its story how it does, I find it fascinating. Part of why I personally watch anime is how it can be so different and so unorthodox compared to western TV and movies, which I think have really stagnated in creativity and originality. Texhnolyze is a great example of the reasons why I watch anime, it's different from anything I've ever really seen. It hits some similar notes to Serial Experiments: Lain, but is honestly its own animal. But enough preamble, which probably bored all 3 people who will actually read my review, and onto my specific opinions about one of my favorite pieces of media.
Texhnolyze's story explores life, purpose, our beliefs, and how they contradict, change, and come into conflict with each other. It explores how different people may look at and view the world, and I think its truly interesting and fascinating to watch. And underneath all that fancy-shmancy exploration of our beliefs is a cyberpunk story like no other. It almost feels wrong to call it cyberpunk because of how out-there the world is compared to more traditional works of cyberpunk fiction. It starts out with a story of the many different factions vying for power in the strange city of Lux, built far underground, but eventually expands into much more. I don't personally feel like divulging any actual specifics, as I really think this is a show you should go into blind about most of the actual elements, which is how I watched it.
Another thing I want to touch on is the atmosphere and feel of this show: it feels oppressive, it feels heavy, it feels like the world is slowly ending around you. I love the atmosphere this anime brings, the content of the episodes, the art style, the music, the sound effects, they all make this show feel like no other. It's another thing I love about Texhnolyze, once you start watching it, you're fully immersed by every single part of the experience. At 22 episodes its a pretty decent length, a full 2 cours, and I was into it for every second. Part of this great atmosphere is due to the worldbuilding. I don't know what it is about Yoshitoshi ABe works, but they all manage to perfectly balance explaining with leaving things open for you to wonder and explore. It allows the setting to have some real depth without creating lengthy backstories for everything and then blurting them out at the viewer, which can honestly be boring sometimes. Texhnolyze balances that worldbuilding balance between explaining and confusion perfectly, and it makes Lux a really interesting place.
The characters are criticized by some for being lifeless, and not really feeling "alive." I disagree, the characters do in fact have emotions, I just think they are all portrayed in more subtle ways. The world and plot of Texhnolyze isn't exactly one where characters ugly crying would really work. It would feel strange and out of place, which is why the emotions are all much more subtle compared to your average Rom-Com or shounen. I personally like the characters and their own personal stories and developments. I found Ichise and Kamata to be the most interesting, with Onishi being a little bit more vanilla but still a character I enjoyed. Sure, there were some that were a bit more basic, but I think because of how different Texhnolyze is from other pieces of media that might have similar characters, they really don't feel that stale, the uniqueness of everything around them sort-of counteracting some of their vanilla qualities.
The music and sound of Texhnolyze is beautifully done. The sounds are oppressive and ominous, while the music sets the scene and dresses the sets. I went through my tradition of listening to the OST of an anime while I review it, and I think there are some amazing and beautiful tracks in both disks of the OST. For me the OP is iconic, and feels just so... Texhnolyze.
The art of Texhnolyze is amazing in a similar way. While it isn't the most beautiful style, and certainly hasn't aged perfectly, with it having a rough, dark, and sometimes ugly appearance. But the city of Lux is similarly rough, dark, and often ugly, the art complements the setting and story, with them both boosting each other and Texhnolyze as a whole up.
This anime is one of my new favorites, and is one I really can't recommend enough to anyone who is a fan of the more unorthodox and experimental. This show ticks all the right boxes for me and really delivered an experience like no other. It gave me a new appreciation for the truly unique and special pieces of work out there, and is one I plan to watch again in the future.