Feature 9.0
Video 10.0
Audio 7.0
Special Features 4.0
Total 8.5
Distributor: Siren Visual
Running Time: 288 Minutes
Reviewer: Simon Black
Classification
: MA15+

8.5


Casshern Sins Part 1: Episodes 1 - 12

In a futuristic world that’s little more than a post-apocalyptic scrapheap, bands of gigantic, decaying robots hunt the humanlike cyborg Casshern.  They blame Casshern for ‘The Ruin’ that has befallen their planet, and a rumour abounds that to kill and devour him is to be granted eternal life.  Casshern, for his part, is an amnesiac, with no recollection of the part he apparently played in the downfall of his world; all he knows is that each day he has to fight for his life against a series of terrifying, tireless opponents. 

As the series unfolds we discover that, in true Terminator style, robots subjugated humanity after becoming self-aware several centuries prior.  Amidst the chaos and destruction the despotic leader of the machines, Braiking-Boss, discovered that a young girl, Luna, held the key to the salvation of mankind.  In true Terminator style he sent his strongest assassins to hunt Luna and destroy her; the dutiful Casshern fulfilled the objective, though the murder set off a chain of cataclysmic events which brought mankind, and the Earth itself, to the brink of extinction. 

Now both robots and the last tattered remnants of humanity must shuffle about in a poisoned atmosphere, with little aside from death to look forward to.  But wait!  If Casshern, with a little help from his young friend Ringo, can discover his true purpose and identity, he might just be able to pull off a miracle.  If he isn’t destroyed and eaten by a corroded half-crazed android the size of a building, that is. 

This is great stuff.  Directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi (Dragonball Z) and animated by Yoshihiko Umakoshi (Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop) the world of Casshern Sins is endlessly imaginative, and a must for mecha fans who haven’t yet checked it out.  The designs of the murderous mechanoids are decidedly retro, and those who grew up watching Astro Boy, Tranzor-Z and the like will find plenty of familiarity in the numerous inventive (and often bizarre) character designs.  The premise is rather deep and the series is by no means frivolous – the first two episodes are entitled ‘At the End of the World’ and ‘The World is Filled With the Cries of Death’ respectively – but the visuals are truly stunning and the storyline clever and multifaceted. 

Bring on Part 2!