The premiere of the Zenshu series makes you feel like you’re stepping into the world of your favorite anime

Anytime I’m fascinated by animation, MAPPA Studio is always involved in one way or another. Firstly, With his greatest creativity Attack on Titan Final season And again with Jujutsu Kaisen Cinematic confrontations. So, when I heard that MAPPA was in charge of the animation ZenshuI knew another masterpiece was brewing.

Even though I’m used to their distinctive artwork, there’s something unique about what they’ve done with Zenshu. The vibrant colors in every scene remind me of the brilliant artistry of Hayao Miyazaki, as he crafted some of the most breathtaking scenes I have ever seen in anime. The use of color is unlike anything MAPPA has done before, as previous projects had primarily leaned towards a much darker tone. Furthermore, the show blends two different artistic styles when it seamlessly integrates separate worlds: one set in modern times and the other in a medieval-like world.

beginning Zenshu The first episode depicts daily life in the real world, where the main protagonist, Natsuko Hirose, is a successful anime director. Her first project was a triumph, but she began to doubt her potential next big success. As an artist, I relate very much to this. This is a new concept for a MAPPA show because, for the most part, I’ve only known them through their action-packed cartoons and not the ones that follow Joe’s daily life.

At this point in the story, Zenshu It can be viewed as a slice of life in hindsight, but things start to change once you move forward in the episode. As Natsuko becomes overwhelmed by her workload, she finds herself waking up in her favorite childhood anime, “Doom Story.” The movie is basically all your favorite anime rolled into one. You have the stereotypical protagonist, the brave-hearted Luke. A reliable companion by his side will do anything for him. Naturally, there are some big bads for the group to defeat to save their world.

It brings up one of my favorite cliched tropes: the old world mixes with the new, as when someone from, say, antiquity or the Middle Ages mixes into our modern ways of life, Marvel-style. bull and fascinated Giselle. in ZenshuHirose is the one who has to deal with the medieval world, and her reactions are realistic and hilarious. It calls into question the film’s logic dramatically when Unio, somehow, undergoes a majestic transformation in the blink of an eye. How is that possible? I have no idea. But I suppose that’s anime logic for you.

Despite Natsuko’s confusion, she begins to use her knowledge of anime to her advantage. She knows the lines spoken by random side characters and the catastrophic event that happens soon after. The anime is called “A Tale of Perishing” for a reason, and it’s up to Natsuko to decide if she wants to change the fate of the show.

I’ll leave you in suspense as to what Hirose decides to do, but I will say it’s more than worth watching. Zenshu The main character, in particular, is the reason the show is so enjoyable. The rest of the cast is great too, but the first episode doesn’t expand on them much. It’s nice to see a heroine taking charge as both men and women rely on her guidance. Anime, at least to me, sometimes feels like a man’s world, so having a story like this is an exceptional change of pace.

Hirose isn’t perfect either; It is incredibly unsafe despite being high up on the food chain. She even hides her face with her hair just to be in her own little world. Overall, her portrayal is what I was looking for in a female anime character, where she doesn’t dress sexy, rely on a masculine protagonist, or be flawless in everything she does. I know there are some anime like this, given novels like Freezing: after the end of the trip and Sailor Moonbut I still feel there should be more.

Far from his realistic interpretations of women, Zenshu It evokes a sense of nostalgia that reminds me of the first anime I experienced as a child. The film often shows Natsuko Hirose’s flashbacks to her childhood in Story of Doom, and you can tell how important this is to her as an adult. As someone who grew up on anime, I can relate to this feeling deeply, and I’m sure you will too if you’re a long-time anime fan.

I also like how the story of doom wasn’t well received in Hirose’s world, but it meant something to her, nonetheless. There have been more than enough times when a favorite show or movie from my childhood has been invalidated by critics, and watching Hirose suffer from the same disorder made me remember that. This concept instills the message that even if some people don’t like your work, all that matters is that at least one person sees the beauty in it. This is likely something Hirose needs to learn through her personal projects, which may come in future episodes.

Only by Zenshu The first episode, I was already hooked on the series. Those in the creative arts will feel seen, and anime fans will remember the nostalgia of the first-ever show that introduced them to the world of animation. The stunning images provided by MAPPA alone may convince you, as they did me. And if you are convinced enough, you can expect something new Zenshu Episodes to stream on Crunchyroll Every Sunday.