Eureka 7
written by Ashwin
at Thursday, March 12, 2009
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Synopsis :
An aeon has passed since human beings were driven from the Earth. After much searching for a place to live in peace, they finally discovered the Land of the Covenant. It was a desolate planet; its surface covered by a substance similar to coral, and a hitherto unknown ion called Traver filled the air. They settled upon this planet, and built huge towers in order to use Traver effectively. Under these towers, countries were established, and the United States of the Towers was founded to unify them.
Several hundreds years have passed since then. Renton is a boy who lives with his grandfather in the Tower Country Belforest. He has one major complaint about his life. As the son of the great hero Adrock, who saved the world from the disaster known as the Summer of Love at the cost of his own life, Renton shoulders a burden trying to live up to this name. Furthermore, his grandfather is a mechanic and expects Renton to take over the family business.
His only mental escape is Liff, a sport where one glides through the Traver. Renton yearns to follow in the footsteps of Holland, a charismatic Liff Rider, and to travel around gliding like him, believing that a big wave of change will come to him some day.
Plot Summary:
The series centers around Renton Thurston, the fourteen-year-old son of Adroc Thurston, a military researcher who died saving the world. He lives what he considers a boring life with his grandfather in a boring town. He loves lifting, a sport similar to surfing but with trapar, a substance abundant throughout the air, as the medium. He dreams of joining the renegade group Gekkostate, led by his idol Holland, a legendary lifter.
An opportunity to do so practically falls into his lap when a large mechanical robot, called the Nirvash type ZERO, and Eureka, its pilot and a member of Gekkostate, crash into Renton's room. Renton's grandfather orders him to deliver a special part to the Nirvash called the "Amita Drive", which releases the immense power dormant within the typeZERO called the "Seven Swell Phenomenon". Afterwards, Renton is invited to join Gekkostate, where he quickly discovers that the behind-the-scenes life of Gekkostate is hardly as glamorous or as interesting as printed in the glossy pages of their magazine, ray=out. Only one thing makes it all worthwhile for him: the presence of Eureka, the mysterious pilot of the Nirvash. Renton, Eureka, and the Gekkostate embark on an adventure that will shape their future as well as the world's.
Eureka Seven works on a wide variety of themes throughout its story. One of the most prevalent themes in the series is racial and religious tolerance and harmony, which is carried through the characters' relationships as well the series' conflicts. Some of the other more global themes that the series covers consist of issues such as allegories of real world conflicts and wars, current political climates from Japan and abroad, depictions of various subcultures and related musical movements that span several generations, and ties to environmental movements. The series also covers other more personal themes such as parenting, and family, along with a very innocent view of puppy love/love at first sight from Renton and Eureka. Identity and protection play a huge role for Renton and Eureka, as both of them say, "I am me" in the series multiple times, and Renton has sworn to protect Eureka. Continuing with themes addressed in previous series, responsibility and guilt manifest most explicitly with repeating the phrase, "You're going to carry that weight." The series works these themes, as well as the theme of growing up and change, into the journey of Renton Thurston.
My musings :
I have watched only 25 episodes of Eureka 7 when it was being aired on Animax last month, so i wouldn't be able to give an accurate analysis of the anime. For me the anime was a bit confusing as i had missed the early 4 episodes, so it took me a while to understand the plot completely and i wasn't dissapointed. I have always had a special place for sci-fi animes and specially for "Mecha". For the similar reason Gundam series had been my all time favourite. Well Eureka 7 might have a stereotype plot similar to Cowboy Bepop, but it sure is enjoyable. The storyline is subtle with twists and turns which keeps you guessing as what next would happen ? Humor and action scenes are equally balanced. The character sketch is clean and elegant, not to mention a good use of 3d thrown in occasionally. Background music and opening and ending themes are not bad either.
I couldn't think of any possible drawbacks. If you are not in the sci-fi genre then the anime might not appeal to you, but its worth a shot !!
