Kaiba
Ah yes, post-apocalyptic dystopia in the style of Osamu Tezuka. Groovy.
Most people will change the channel after the first five minutes since they have no idea what's going on. Understandable. You've got a guy with a hole in his chest ("OMG he's a Hollow! Kill him! Kiiillll him!), the guy with wild hair and some sort of massive brass globe codpiece, and the things sucking brains out of people. And then there's that space chocobo.
Confusing? Yep. Reason to write it off as an acid trip? No. This sequence illustrates just how well plotted this tale really is: see, the main character (Jimmy McHolezinchest) is just as confused as you are. That's immersion, folks. If you're patient enough to sit back and observe the most awesome Blade Runner-meets-Road Runner chase sequence ever, you're rewarded with a scene that pretty much explains everything you've just seen: this is a world where bodies are disposable and people flee thingies that suck out their brains. Plus, you see just how perverse this society has become as a result: you have people casually discussing whether to delete a bunch of human souls, and jokingly saying that they won't restore a person's soul to their body because he's annoying. (Or are they joking?)
And if you're still lost, the guy with the brass codpiece gives a three sentence infodump seconds later.
These characters are so comfortable with the world they live in that, with a bit of explanation, it seems completely natural to the viewer. The artwork sets you in the mood to expect something weird, and the characters are so designed that you can intuitively figure out what's going on.
Take the brain suckers, for example: you see these weird spermy things in the opening sequence. They latch onto people's heads, they scream, fall over, it swallows something. "Ooh, brain suckers!" See? Simple.
There are other signs that hint at a fully realized fantasy world just outside the camera's view. A guy flies by and shoots an arrow into a wall, and a lady grabs a bag off it. Cool, a mailman. The hero walks by a small neighbourhood where everyone knows his companion (brass ball boy) by name. They encounter a bunch of guys building a hot air balloon. "At it again, eh Borris? Ha ha ha!" You get the distinct impression that this world has been in operation for quite some time before you and Jimmy McHoleysons dropped into it.
It also has a whole bunch of other weird things for you to notice: the liquid flame, for example, or the lady with the extraordinarily large dress. It's nice eye candy, and is introduced naturally enough so that it doesn't throw off the viewer.
Did I mention the humor? Watch the 10 minute sequence with the Soul-Egg Analyzomatic (guest starring a Quintesson!) for a taste.
I think the moment that got me in this show was when a pimp walked up to the main character and offered him two tablets, one depicting a man, the other a woman. I realized I really _got_ this story world when I wasn't quite sure if he was selling sex or selling BODIES.
The plot also shows promise. Why does Johnson Dirkmemorylossen have a hole in his chest, or three rings on his stomach? What was that floaty thing that the ninja space chocobo let into that spaceship? And does Mr. Brass Ball know more about that blurry figure in Jimmy's locket than he's letting on?
This is essentially like a really well done adventure game: great atmosphere, wholly realized world and characters, deep mysteries. Provided you're willing to take a bit of think with your watch, this one's a keeper.
Seriously, dude, that space chocobo is AWESOME.
Addendum: And you'll never find out who the space chocobo is till the LAST EPISODE. MYSTERY!It's times like this Kevin, that I am happy to have added you to the Friday Meeting crowd. Copious Verbage for the win!
