Review of Chrono Crusade

Chrono Crusade is one of those stories that you'll end up easily missing from the large library of anime that is available to you. I only just remembered its existence only recently because of the main theme song "Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line" being a favorite of mine. What had me discover this little gem was way back in the day when the "Sci-Fi Network" had an actual anime block called, "Ani-Mondays". This was long before Crunchyroll was really a well known service so most of the shows I'd ever watch would be on television. The block itself consisted of other titles like "Gundam00", "Gurren Lagann", and even "Rave Master". Thinking back, putting the words "Sci-Fi Network" and "Anime" together was truly a weird thing to behold.

What had me so attached to this particular show on the block was one specific reason: the writing holds no fear. Trying to even remotely compare the beginning to the end will have you absolutely stunned at how the script progresses into a bitter sweet web of reality. It has a weird similarity to that of "Cowboy Bebop" where you have so many fun loving plot threads within that makes you completely forget about how serious the story actually is.

And let me tell you..Chrono Crusade works great in such a format. It broke my heart to see the main leads "Chrono" and "Rosette" specifically go from such a wacky goofy duo to devoted partners with an honest acceptance of what may be in their world. They both do something that can be a rarity sometimes in current anime: grow up psychologically together. I never felt like either one of them was left behind for the sake of making the opposite protagonist look better. By the end, all I had was endless tears with a nod of acceptance on what the Author was aiming for. I got the message right before the last heart warming scene played.

Do keep in mind, the manga and anime share completely different endings as they drift apart after roughly volume 4. However.. both have an interesting reflection from one another that is worth checking out.

Overall: Chrono Crusade will forever rest in my heart as a show that gave me a better understanding on why life can be so difficult. Its a series that really stands a heavy message on facing the worst that reality can offer but still finding a stepping stone through it. It gives an excellent perspective that nothing can be perfect but it doesn't mean we can't try to find something at least close to it.