Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke

Title: Hyoubu Kyousuke: A Compelling Protagonist in Zettai Karen Children l Rating: ★★★★☆

"Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke" stands out as an exceptional addition to the "Zettai Karen Children" universe, surpassing its parent story in several key aspects. Moreover, Hyoubu Kyousuke's role as a protagonist in "The Unlimited" demonstrates why he is superior to Kaoru.

(This review may discusses both "Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke" and its parent series for a more thorough analysis.)

[Story]

1. Deeper Exploration of Espers:
"The Unlimited" delves deeper into the lives and challenges faced by espers, those with psychic abilities, in a society that fears and discriminates against ... them. This narrative focus on the espers' struggles adds depth to the story, giving viewers a more comprehensive understanding of their world. In contrast, the parent story, while touching on similar themes, does not explore them as thoroughly.

2. Morally Complex Themes:
"The Unlimited" presents morally complex themes through Hyoubu Kyousuke's actions. As an anti-hero, he blurs the lines between right and wrong, forcing viewers to contemplate the concept of justice. This moral ambiguity provides a thought-provoking layer to the series that the parent story lacks.

3. Character Development:
Hyoubu Kyousuke's character development is a highlight of "The Unlimited." He undergoes a significant transformation throughout the series, grappling with his past, his choices, and his role in the world. This evolution makes him a more dynamic and relatable character than Kaoru, who experiences growth but does not face the same level of moral ambiguity.

4. Exploration of Power:
"The Unlimited" delves into the consequences of immense power, particularly through Hyoubu Kyousuke's abilities. This exploration of power dynamics and their impact on individuals and society adds a layer of intrigue that sets it apart from the parent story.

5. Hyoubu Kyousuke as Protagonist:
While Kaoru is a central character in the parent story, Hyoubu Kyousuke takes the reins as the protagonist in "The Unlimited." His character is multifaceted, with a traumatic past that influences his actions. His willingness to embrace morally gray areas, coupled with his charismatic presence, makes him a more captivating lead than Kaoru.

[Character]

While Kaoru, the main character of the original "Zettai Karen Children" series, is undoubtedly a vital part of the story, Hyoubu Kyousuke takes center stage in "The Unlimited." His character is more morally complex, which adds layers of intrigue to the narrative. While Kaoru's journey is one of growth and self-discovery, but Hyoubu Kyousuke's character arc is more dynamic and emotionally charged. He's an anti-hero who challenges conventions, and that makes him a standout protagonist.

1. Complexity and Depth:
Hyoubu Kyousuke's character is multi-faceted and complex. As the leader of PANDRA, a group of individuals with psychic powers, he grapples with the responsibilities of leading his team while pursuing his vision of a world where espers can live freely. His past experiences and his interactions with other characters in the series add layers to his character. In contrast, Kaoru, while being protagonist of the series, lacks the same level of depth and complexity.

2. Strong Motivations:
Hyoubu Kyousuke's unwavering determination to protect and empower espers is a driving force in the series. His motivation is clear, and viewers can empathize with his desire for espers to live without fear of persecution. Kaoru's motivations are relatively straightforward, primarily centered around her friends and her sense of justice, but they don't carry the same weight as Hyoubu's.

3. Moral Ambiguity:
Hyoubu Kyousuke's willingness to employ morally ambiguous means to achieve his goals adds an intriguing layer to his character. He constantly challenges the boundaries of right and wrong, forcing viewers to question their own moral perspectives. Kaoru, by contrast, tends to follow a more traditional path of heroism, which, can be less thought-provoking.

4. Screen Presence:
Whenever Hyoubu Kyousuke is on screen, he exudes charisma and gravitas. His commanding presence captures the audience's attention and leaves a lasting impression. Kaoru, while a central character, doesn't possess the same level of magnetism.

[Art/Animation]

1. Stunning Character Design:
The character designs are both unique and visually appealing. Each character's appearance reflects their personality and abilities, making them easily distinguishable. Hyoubu Kyousuke, in particular, stands out with his charismatic and enigmatic design.

2. Fluid Action Sequences:
The action sequences in "The Unlimited" are beautifully choreographed and executed. The animation team does a fantastic job of bringing psychic battles to life with fluid movements and dynamic camera angles. This makes every battle a thrilling spectacle to watch.

3. Vivid Psychic Powers:
The depiction of psychic powers is a visual highlight. Each esper's abilities are visually distinct and creatively presented. From telekinesis to pyrokinesis, these powers are brought to life with vivid and eye-catching visuals.

4. Detailed Backgrounds: The series pays attention to environmental details, creating a world that feels immersive and believable. Whether it's the bustling cityscape or the hidden facilities of PANDRA, the backgrounds are richly detailed.

5. Artistic Choices:
"The Unlimited" makes artistic choices that enhance the viewing experience. These include dramatic lighting effects during intense moments and a color palette that reflects the mood of the scenes, from dark and brooding to bright and energetic.

In summary, "Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke" offers a richer and more morally complex narrative compared to its parent story. The exploration of esper discrimination, moral ambiguity, character development, and the consequences of power make it a superior series. Additionally, Hyoubu Kyousuke's role as the protagonist adds depth and charisma that elevate the series to new heights. If you're a fan of the "Zettai Karen Children" universe or simply enjoy thought-provoking anime, "The Unlimited" is a must-watch.

(This review may discusses both "Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke" and its parent series for a more thorough analysis..)

Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited- Hyoubu Kyousuke is a shounen anime based on a manga by Shiina Takashi. The studio behind this adaptation of the series was handled by Manglobe, the studio behind Deadman's Wonderland, Samurai Champloo and Ergo Proxy, along with a bunch of things I haven't seen. I have no idea what to expect from this one. I'd describe that as intriguing, but the last time I expressed excitement at watching something completely unfamiliar I ended up watching Cheesesteak Suppository. Let's just take a look.

The story of Zettai Karen Children: Unlimited, henceforth referred to in this review as ZKC:U for the sake of ... brevity, opens with a silver-haired character named Hyoubu Kyousuke using ESP to wreck everything before allowing himself to be captured. He's taken to a prison camp for espers where he meets up with a young man named Hinomiya. The two start bonding and Hyoubu gives Hinomiya some of his food, which happens to be poisoned. Consequently, Hinomiya is taken to another facility. Hyoubu follows and the two escape along with a captured girl known as Yuugiri. Hyoubu offers Hinomiya a position in his organisation, P.A.N.D.R.A, which is accepted. But Hinomiya has a secret which could threaten Hyoubu and his organisation. The story mainly focuses on Hyoubu, his organisation and their goals. There are some things it does well and some it doesn't. Let's start with the latter. The pacing in this is pretty bad. they put some flashback episodes that don't serve much purpose directly in the middle of the series, which interrupts
the much more interesting action that's going on in the story's present and leaves less time to flesh out the ending. As a result the ending ends up rushed and kind of weak. On the positive side, the world they create is pretty interesting and the story is mostly effective. With everything following a logical progression.

The characters in this, with the exceptions of Hyoubu and Hinomiya, aren't particularly well developed. Most characters tend to get either really obvious arcs or be archetypal characters without much to set them apart. That being said, the character interactions are really well done. Hyoubu and Hinomiya are also really interesting characters. Although Hyoubu has some moments that make him seem kind of creepy and make you wonder if he likes little girls in an inappropriate way. Particularly during his dealings with Kaoru. To ZKC:U's credit, it's vague enough that that may or may not be what's going on, but you should never have valid reasons to suspect that your protagonist is a pedophile when they're portrayed in a generally sympathetic way.

The art in this is pretty impressive. The character designs look good. The effects when certain espers use their powers are pretty flashy but they never cross into the realm of the ridiculous. The action sequences are, mostly, well done. With the exception of one in particular that happens later on in the series and features antagonists with worse aim than the Stormtroopers in Star Wars. That one just comes across as kind of stupid.

The voice acting in this is pretty well done. Suwabe Junichi, Yusa Kouji, and Hirano Aya in particular. The one real weakness is Touyama Nao, who doesn't have any depth of emotion. Although, to be fair, her character is supposed to be emotionally stunted. The music is quite good.

The yuri factor is a 1/10. This has no yuri.

My final rating for ZKC:U is going to be a 6.4/10. It has some really interesting elements, but Hyoubu's semi-creepy scenes and the pacing do make it quite a bit less enjoyable than it could have been. With all things considered, it's still a decent series but not quite good.

Next week I'll look at Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino.

INVOLVEMENT: ★☆☆
I said to myself: I'll watch it, because I study manglobe, and the cover gives the impression of, anime with serious themes. Then, since I had already seen: samurai champloo, gangsta, deadman wonderland, house of five leaves, I wanted to see what was different. I didn't catch up with the original, as I'd read that it wasn't needed. No emotion. This anime failed to portray one emotion in a cross. Then, usual paradigm: you look at people's rating, high. You think: let's have a look. You end up asking: how is it possible, that it has 7.5? Below I explain, why I didn't like ... it, and why this grade. At the bottom you will find all the scenes that made my ears perk up.
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SCREENPLAY: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
1. Not an original anime. Akira 1988, Ghost in Shell 2002-2005, Darker than Black 2007, Code Geass 2008. All anime with the same themes, predating this one. The only distinction of the predecessors is, being worse. Contributing to discrediting the genre.
2. Presents more than inconsistencies, many questions with no explanation, which I listed at the bottom << presents spoilers >>.
3. What is the final message? Apart from addressing the various issues, there is no real twist.
4. Does it touch on important themes? Yes. But how does it address them? Badly.
5. You don't stop for a moment to think: "Wow, this sentence is powerful. How good they did here, illustrating the problem" but only to: "Sh*t, who wrote this episode, and this? No whatever, I give up." It doesn't make you think at all. Mistakes upon mistakes, and me trying to find something profound in the midst of them. I, who love to save anime quotes. Here, I heard two profound sentences, ruined at the end by the banal atmosphere.
6. The pace, sped up x100, scenes rushed, cut. Then too many scenes not explained, just put there. As if to say: "we have little time, keep these images without logic, and enjoy them." Ep.8 the only one that saves itself, with an above average rating.
8. Full of action moments in every episode, interspersed with unrealistic calm moments.
9. Ending? Started with one ending and ended up with quite another.
10. Target (moe lolicon fan). In a world where people fight for survival, where the stakes are life and liberty, a child interacting as an equal with experienced adults or guerrillas? This creates a contrast and, it forces you to accept something that makes no realistic or metaphorical sense. There is no real emotional construction. If in order to make Hyōbu 'more human', you need a 'loli', then it means you don't have faith in the writing of the adult character. If you're selling me a mature, dark, serious spin-off (as I think The Unlimited is) you can't put sexy schoolgirls in the scene, and see them humiliating adults, and acting as mini-divinities, while everything around is serious, it's a short-circuit in tone. Don't show me three little girls laughing while blowing up a military base. If an adult character has spent years in torture, secret missions and war... There is no respect for the weight of the themes. Who is the series appealing to: moe fans? Fans of the thriller? Of the psychological drama? I feel pushed out of the narrative every time with their arrival.
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CHARACTERS: ★☆☆
1. Three characters are recurring compared to others: Hyobu, Andy and Yugiri. Only one is characterised. Being the main character the anime revolves around. Of the others, two are known, just to tie some plot points together. Yugiri was in an orphanage. Andy meta human esper, infiltrator of the States. Flat characters, who don't change. Except in words. In the last episode, at the end. Just saying, we tried. Ah dimenticavo. In ogni episodio si scopre che Hyobu puo fare mille cose con il suo potere.
2. Development that can't even be called that, because it doesn't develop anything. Characters who in one scene are fragile insects, in the next scene remorseless killers.
3. No memorable characters with any unique traits to carry with them. All C-class characters, and a 'Major' neither good leader, nor good soldier, nor sensitive human.
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VISUAL STYLE & ANIMATION: ★☆☆
1. Quality what there is, I'm not complaining. I do complain, however, about the still, cut and sped-up scenes. I guess they didn't pay the supervisor to check if the scenes are well drawn and in order with the characters.
2. Unoriginal, standard character design. Andy looks like Yuuki from YuGiOh GX. The little girls are the same little girls from other anime, big eyes that I would punch and 90s diva hair, coloured put on top of the gigantic head. And the extras, Pokemon characters.
3. Ghibli palette fan, I also love cowboy bebop, trigun. How do I rate something that falls into the 90% of animation? Basic, no more no less.
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SOUNDTRACK AND SOUND: ★☆☆
1. Opening: 'Last Resolution' by Emblem of THE UNLIMITED and Ending: 'DARKNESS NIGHT' are engaging, without exaggeration.
2. Background music, bringing in the danger or action parts, reminiscent of Aot, creates the right intensity.
3. Dubbing what it is. No memorable scenes, no screams, no tears shed because of the skill of some voice actor.

<<SPOILER>> COMPLATION BAD SCENEs for few <<SPOILER>>
1) Hyōbu, described as a very strong, cunning esper, used to complex operations. Voluntarily getting captured to save a little girl may seem noble... but hardly believable if we don't yet know his moral code well. And the prison doesn't seem threatening enough to justify such a theatrical plan. Andy is an infiltrator, he makes himself known, and Hyōbu accepts him into her world almost without suspicion. A 'chemistry' is born between the two, instantaneous, but it seems more plot-driven than genuine. The two now bestu frends, they notice that a prisoner has hurt himself, and that for serious injuries, he must be taken out of prison. Outside yes, but where exactly no one knows. And then why go to the hospital? Whatever. Hocus pocus, the guard decides to poison Hyobu, okay for revenge, but it ties in just right with ending up at the hospital. Andy is the one who ends up there, and Hyobu just follows him, because he has a hidden plan. He could have done it in a thousand other ways, but the scriptwriters decided to do it that way, ending up ruining the script. They leave the room and find themselves in front of the little girl whom Hyobu has to save. Bim bum bam (action). Hyobu makes the decision to take Andy with him... who happened to have the mission of infiltrating Hyobu's organisation. The whole episode, it's united by a very thin thread, where all it took was for someone to sneeze and this anime would end at episode one. Too bad that didn't happen.
2) Blond government character enters the scene with the gun suddenly, without any context, no escalation, no meeting beforehand where they discuss what to do "she's too dangerous, she must be eliminated", nothing. Everyone else accompanies him... running towards the crime scene with him all over town. No one trying to stop him first, no one confronting him while he is still far from the princess. They accompanied him, only to shout 'NOOO' at the moment of the shot. Yuugiri explodes in psychic power. Classic cliché: trauma → explosion. It's not that it's wrong, but it's a reaction built to make something happen, not to show the depth of the character. It just acts as a switch. You don't know what he thinks, what he feels. You don't get attached to the character because of the good construction behind it. Another stretch: "Hyōbu appears to rescue her and bring her back, perfectly on time." But how does he know? No indication that he was following the situation, no plan. It is pure script rescue, a deus ex machina to get the plot back on track.
3) The Children find the key at random, in the squirrel. And without checking, they immediately state that it is used to open an armoured security door, in a secret base. A question arises: how do they know what that key is for? No logical step. Just a throwaway sentence. It is a 'narrative trigger'. Earlier Andy talked about wanting to enter the base but not having the key. As it happens, now the key is there, and he changes his plan on the fly: to be a hostage, of no use to the children, who are children and therefore accept. At the end of the episode, as in a well-oiled play, Magi gives the key to Andy, which only a few members have.
4) Hyōbu thinks to himself that it might be his last birthday. Yuugiri is next to him, an inch away. Question that arises: why doesn't he hear that thought? Did the authors want a melancholic, reflective scene, and did they ignore the limits of power so as not to spoil it?
5) The leader of USEI, wants to shoot himself in the head but Hyobu stops him. Then, with the gun pointed at his back, he humours them by leading them to Yugiri. Sorry, but how? Ready to commit suicide, and then do as you're told?
6) If Hyoubu is able to use powers with the EDMs active in the previous scene, Andy's action of shooting the EDMs makes no sense. The stationary robots. In a real military situation, with two enemies on the ground, a drone would fire without hesitation, there would be no 'theatrical pause'. The reason why they don't shoot is clear, the authors want to give time for the dialogue between Andy and Hyoubu. But no one takes the trouble to justify: no one says 'they're on standby', no one stops the firing, the characters themselves don't seem bothered. I make peace with myself, reminding myself that this is an anime that wants to 'make a scene', not create a living, believable situation.
7) Scene that should be tense (they are trapped), surprising (PANDRA arrives). No expression, not even astonishment. In so much the antagonists remain impaled, leaving everyone talking, as if they were at an aperitif. The rush to close the plot > push on emotion (faces, sounds, dynamic direction). Wasted opportunity.
8) Kaoru is very attached to Hyoubu, but they frame her sleeping peacefully in bed. It doesn't make sense that she's not involved while there's a final battle. What's more, future queen.