Last Exile

Last Exile - Sure the title is a little strange, and it doesn't get much better with the episode titles (Positional Play?). Luckily the story makes more sense even though the characters and situations play out in unexpected ways. The story opens up with a young pair that are flying through the air in some type of aircraft. The pilot is young Claus and the navi is young Lavie. This whole anime is steeped in steampunk era style aircrafts, gadgets, and...coloring. There is a lot of faded ashy brown, so get used to it.

It reflects the attitude of the times as the two take on a messenger mission and must make a delivery that puts them at the front line of a battle between two airships.

There is front line action, some at-the-helm battle strategy, on-ship drama, a few underlying mysteries and times when the characters you have pegged at first sight fly off in a new direction, taking the story in a new direction. It sounds flighty, mixed and confusing, but I'm on episode 16 and I'm still hooked on the story, becoming attached to the slightly conflicted characters, and becoming interested in cracking the mystery behind some of the other characters.

If you like aircraft action and want it toned down a little, sprinkle in some down-home character charm, a dash of wartime stories, and top it off with some characters that are a mystery all their own, give Last Exile a watch, maybe 3 episodes.

I think the opening is a tad too techno for the series, but was surprised to like the ending theme, letting it play. I also enjoy hearing the slightly-off pronunciation of the all-English episode titles.

Following this, I'll probably check out Sky Crawlers.

Recommendations:

• Heroic Age...from modest roots an unlikely hero pushes his limits to save the starways amongst a war waged between races >>
• Soukou no Strain...a rude awakening sends a promising young pilot into a lonesome empty life until details behind her past push her into battle again >>
  
• Steamboy >>...in a life-like steampunk era, a youth risks his life protecting a powerful component left by his father from a sinister plot to abuse it

Video Sample:



Do you plan to watch Last Exile?


See the description for Last Exile on AnimeDB.net >>