Anime review: Xam'd: Lost Memories (2008)

Another month, another club watch that I put forward (following its "Anime of the Fortnight" highlighting on AB). This one is quite special because it was released as a PlayStation Network exclusive, a plausible reason for its lingering in relative obscurity.

If you're like me, this PSN exclusive label should trigger some apprehension concerning its quality… but these concerns were blown away with the first episode. Man, what a blast! Sky high animation budget (really), super cool bio-tech designs, seemingly interesting characters, I was truly impressed. Praise Bones.

And to its credit, these very good points were present for the entire duration, it wasn't the usual "smoke and mirrors" thing were half the budget is dedicated to the first episodes and opening.

Let's continue on said good points. Most characters aren't just walking stereotypes with the predictability of SJ characters, they surprised me more than once. The balance and rhythm between drama/feelgood moments and the underlying maturity of these is Ghibli like.

In fact, I'm apparently not alone in thinking that the whole package (especially the designs and pacifist themes) is a strong throwback to Miyazaki's most famous fantasy works: Mononoke Hime, Nausicaä and Laputa.

If this was all, it'd be a clear 10/10. Sadly, there are numerous negatives that bring it down. I can see two, really.

First, too many underdeveloped subplots and side characters for a 26 episodes series. Haru's little sister, the mad scientist, Furuichi being nothing but a paper thin dislikable foil, etc… taking valuable time away from more substantial ones with seemingly interesting pasts and psyches (the military commander guy, Akiyuki's father, Ishu, Raigyo, the emperor and more). This shows blatantly during the rushed ending where each of these needed their few seconds/minutes of closure.

Second (not unrelated to the aforementioned waste of screen time), the lack of real depth. The show clearly cultivates a sheen of Philosophy & Psychology™ à la Evangelion, but unlike Eva, it remained a sheen without anything underneath. Nothing was ever really explained, no important question answered or even asked.

Despite the squandered potential, I had a really good time going "Ohhh" and "Neat!" at the screen without my mind dwelling on the issues. If you can do the same, you'll understand that pretty good rating.