Soukou no Strain: Episode 1
Genres: Drama, Mecha, Science Fiction
Studio: Soukou no Strain Production Team
Animation: Studio Fantasia
OP: “Message” by Yoko (Download TV size mp3 – 2.06mb) *Right click and ’save target as’
ED: “Umi no Opal” by Sema (Download TV size mp3 – 2.06mb) *Right click and ’save target as’
Official Site: http://www.s-strain.jp/
Rating: 8.5/10
Impressions:
I had watched this episode a week ago after seeing this post by Kita ze Inbou. I had planned on watching it when I was checking out the new fall season shows, but completely forgot about it when I had engrossed myself in all the other new series. Even so, it wasn’t that high on my list, but the first episode really hooked me. The quality was pretty pathetic (but expected since it’s a new studio), but the significant thing is that, regardless of that, I still loved the episode. And I usually hate anime with poor quality. Another saving factor is that the CG used for the mecha is really good, and the giant ‘Strains’ present yet another pretty unique mecha type. It’s not just your ordinary big robot, but a totally different concept altogether, though it hasn’t really been explained in detail. The other memorable unique mecha type is Neon Genesis Evangelion, with its bio-mechanical concept. These Strains require a ‘Mimic’ to function, which is essentially a clone of the pilot, grown from a cell extracted from the embryo (or something like that). There are also regular mecha, but of course they’re inferior to the Strains.
The story is about a girl called Sara who becomes a Strain pilot student in order to fight in the front lines to see her brother, who is a hero amongst the human civilisation. The anime is set in space, where humans are at war with some enemy which I am not sure of yet. Anyway, Sara’s brother turns out to be evil and attacks the base at which Sara is training at. Almost everyone is killed, including Sara’s three closest friends. Her mimic is destroyed as well, rendering her incapable of piloting a Strain anymore. Now, her reason to see her brother again intensifies. Her shriek of agony at the end was intense and highly believable and enough for me to look her seiyuu up. It turns out she’s voiced by Ayako Kawasumi, who also does/did many roles from quite a few famous series, including Kaori from Kanon, Fuu from Samurai Champloo and Yoshida from Shakugan no Shana. Speaking of the latter, I guess that show and Soukou no Strain both share the same acronym SnS. Hehe, that’s got nothing to do with anything though. Anyway, I’ve seen two of the three episodes released so far, so I’m looking forward to more, and especially an improvement in quality. I highly recommend this show to anyone who hasn’t tried it, and if I’m killing you hard drive like mine, then I apologise beforehand! ^^
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This anime is interesting. Highly recommended!
Ah you blogged about this now.
Lol yeh, I had planned to some time ago but never got round to doing it..
ah nice i was wondering if i was the only person watching this series.
Glad to see you finally made the entry Danny.
I should have my episode 2 and 3 entries out later today as well. This show is just too good. ^^
This is an interesting show; animation quality takes another plummet after episode one, though. After three episodes I am still hooked on this which bodes well. One thing though, the opposing force is called ‘Deague’… is it just me but shouldn’t that be ‘League’ instead?
I love this anime. i mean, first of all, Sara i Hot, and the half-nudeity is really greate.
The plot takes start directly, with is relly good.
Yes the Quallity is poor, but as you say, it dosn’t really matter, the anime is greate!
I’ve watched a few Animes so far. This is not the best one i’ve seen, but it’s good. i recomend it^^
And to credit you a bit, you are doing a really nice job, i like to read your blogg, keept it going^^
thund3rs: it’s a good thing we’re not the only ones watching it now since quite a few blogs have popped up doing this show
prince leon: yeah, I need to catch up too, but I think I’ll wait for shinsen’s release of episode 3
Northernshadows: Hmm, I didn’t think there was much of a change from episode 1 and 2, but maybe I was just enjoying the show too much. And as for the name of the enemy, it might even be Dig! xD
JIm: hey thanks man! Definitely, the quality doesn’t matter when the anime is this good, and I’m pretty surprised myself since i usually shy away from anything with bad quality.