Anime: Scryed

THE STAFF
- Planned and animated by Sunrise, the studio which is famous for its good production values and super robot shows. Sadly this is hardly amongst their better works, plus it has no giant robots, so it’s bad.
- Directed by Taniguchi Gorpu, who has made several acclaimed titles over the years (Ryvius, Planetes, Code Geass), yet this ranks amogst his worse projects.

SCRIPT
The best way to describe Scryed is to see it as X-Men meets Shaman King, which is not a flattering thing. While the X-Men are famous for their social messages of racial acceptance, Scryed ends up being seen as nothing but a mediocre shounen show with rather good action and bad directing.

The premise of the story is very interesting; it basically has to do with racism amongst people with superpowers and people without. There is a security team formed of these Alters in order to prevent vagrant Alters from abusing their power. The catch is, these are actually THE BAD GUYS while the heroes belong to the vagrants. Add to this a society separated into haves and not-haves and you have yourself an opening to very good show.
… and you don’t get it.

The story part of the show ends up being very simple and predictable, and even ends anti-climactically. Despite all the funky details of the setting, it remains as nothing more than a bunch of edgy teenagers kicking the crap out of each other. Like any other average shounen, it is mostly angst, excuses for stuff to blow up, and people to punch each other. Which is not a bad thing for the genre; those who only expect to see action in this show, will get lots of it. The variety of special powers is huge, and the battles are exciting as far as shounen go. Super nuclear punches, whipping robot summons, turbo cars, spiked watermelon attacks, and a lot other weirder stuff.

At the same time, this is not a memorable anime for anything other than its action. The setting goes to waste as it is not looked into it much, there are no actual strategies or politics to make it look a bit deeper than the obvious. It is basically the poor boy Kazuma trying to find and excuse to fight with the rich boy Ryuho, and all the others coming along just to see how much beating they can stand, as well as measuring this way their masculinity. As you can imagine all conflicts are resolved with violence, and all the outcomes of the battles are easy to predict if you are familiar with the formulas used in the genre. You know, plot armors, sudden power ups, careless villains, and so on. After awhile you don’t even pay notice to what the hell is going on with the background story. Or the backgrounds in general; they are there just to trash them in order to show how cool your power is. And who cares about HOLY’s real intentions and sinister plan? Get back to the action dammit!

PRODUCTION VALUES
Aged and rather hard to be appreciated today. For its time they were very good, especially in terms of battle choreography. The special effects in particular feel amateurish with their low fps and bulky non-filtered style, but the open-minded viewer can easily see past that and enjoy them for what they are. Personally I never liked that Gundam SEED style of the faces, and the characters wearing the same clothes most of the time was getting annoying fast. The soundtrack left me completely apathetic, as it didn’t feel dynamic and memorable enough. Voice acting… I guess it was ok.

CAST
The characters are great if all you are looking for are shounen archetypes. Very edgy and snobby, mentally disturbed, some are even sadistic with the use of their power. Their motivation is practically half a line long (UGH ME NO LIKE YOU, UGH WE FIGHT) which makes them easy to understand and even easier to get bored of. Meaning, there is a strong presence in the cast with very little inside to make the difference. And as usual, women exist just for fan service. The major characters develop along the way but it all happens in the usual way, since the whole series follows the main trail of the genre. Although it never trips along the way, it also never side tracks to flavor the journey with some sightseeing.

LEGACY
So did I like it? No, it was shallow. And that was its goal to begin with; some dudes punching each other at the drop of a hat. Some may like the way it never tries to be more than the absolute basics and find enjoyment in its simplicity. Don’t you hate it when your favorite shounen loses steam along the way and drags a lot while adding lots of fillers and useless characters? Well Scryed doesn’t do that because it never had anything too serious or complicating to screw up at. Which is good in a way. On the other hand, I would choose something like One Piece or FMA Brotherhood over this one. Even if they mess up with directing and pacing at points, they definitely have more interesting characters and a far more fleshed out setting. Not to mention the most recent From the New World, which actually offers a very similar setting in a most elaborate and tasty way.

Recommended as an enjoyable brain dead action show but not as something awesome or different.

If there's anything particularly good to say about Scryed, it's that its story is about as focused and unrelenting as its two central heroes. Like their dogged, tunnel-vision personalities, Scryed actually maintains a focused story that develops well. Pacing is fast and relentless from the get-go, and rarely slips. There are a few too many moments, however, where much of the storytelling and revelation of plot elements are reliant on narrated flashbacks and tedious monologues. Halfway through the series, the viewer is force-fed mini-recaps to keep him/her up with the story. Minor characters are even given repeated flashback treatment of the few scenes they were involved in so as to give them a sense of importance that the plot itself couldn't give, doubly so when that character dies. Overall, though, the story itself is somewhat refreshing for a genre that is too old for its own good, managing to hash together a few new parts to an old and decrepit machine. It's a system that works fairly decently - at least until the final quarter of the anime.

From there, Scryed's plot more or less spirals into oblivion after what appeared to be a story that was bound to go somewhere. A new villain is introduced seemingly out of nowhere and possesses abilities that are simply overpowered, heralding shounen cliches from the likes of Dragonball Z and Naruto. It's got it all: characters who suddenly reveal ungodly powerful trump cards, a fight scene represented by nothing more than two beams of light clashing at each other in the distance, protracted fight scenes that last entire episodes, and numerous punch-of-wars, tug-of-war-esque contests that involve two characters punching each others' fists with maximum force until someone gives out. If you've seen shounen anime, you've seen it all. The last quarter doesn't seem to know when to end, as it takes a very long time for the show's heroes to reach and defeat the so-called "final boss". It doesn't even end there, either. The sort of flop that Scryed becomes toward its final episodes makes this a show not worth watching unless you know and are willing to accept what's in store for you.

Not much can be said for Scryed's characters, either. Everyone maintains a backseat role to the show's two central and, quite unsurprisingly, most powerful people: Kazuma and Ryuhou. Practically all of the show's focus is on these two, which is pretty standard for an anime of this kind. This doesn't mean the other characters are dull, though. Everyone does provide a decent amount of depth and change to the story. However, the floor is given to Kazuma and Ryuhou, two characters who represent two sides of the same coin. As said earlier, Scryed's two central heroes are stubborn characters. One answers with his fists before his words and absolutely refuses to take orders. The other is a Javert of the superpowered anime world, cold under the law and absolutely unforgiving. Much of the show involves seeing either of them pitted against some enemy or each other in battle. They simply label each other enemies based on the values they abide by and fight. It's pretty stale at times, and can make it seem as though Scryed's characters are one-dimensional.

Character development isn't nonexistent, however, but the way in which it's executed is shoddy at best. Most moments of character growth are dependent on simultaneous soliloquy between the two main characters, wherein which they usually overcome their mutual animosity and achieve a sense of respect for both their similarities and differences. These moments are usually unfounded, and happen when it's simply convenient for the story; they need to work together at times to get anything done, basically. The single best moment of character growth involves an episode with Ryuhou when he is unknowingly placed in a life through Kazuma's eyes, gaining an understanding of the man he had labeled as his enemy. That's about it. Still, the characters appear mostly unchanged in attitude as the show comes to a close. Kazuma maintains his brutish personality, and Ryuhou still considers himself a paragon of justice.

Scryed isn't your completely average shounen shouting match, but it doesn't really go above and beyond it, either. If you're a fan of superpowers and big explosions, you will enjoy this anime. Anyone else should definitely steer clear. Elementary character development and a declining story will get in the way of and sully what Scryed has to offer in terms of raw, unadulterated action.

I've slept through the first 5 or so episodes of this anime. That's the reason why I gave enjoyment a 7. The first episodes are very slow, and very boring.
Until it kicks into gear...and how!

Probably one of the best anime of recent years, SCRYED delivers not only wonderfull animation and music but also boasts with well built characters and a compelling story-line. SCRYED has strengths and makes good use of them.

Animation
the drawing style is all but unique, having seen it alreay in Gundam Seed and the more recent Gundam Seed Destiny and Sokyu no Fafner. That doesn't mean it's bad. On the contrary even, the characters are unique and the alters, as shown, are interesting to say the least.
What ranks the animation as being good is the absence of still frames and replacement on natural movement with flashes of light and stuff. Nooo, SCRYED uses not these pety tricks and deliveres great fights and good character movement. The battles are dynamic and manage to bring the viewer on the edge of his/her seat.
The great animation backed up by skilled choreography manage to place this anime over many other super-powers anime in terms of action. I applaude the creators for that.

Sound
First, the opening theme is a jewel. A real gem. Besides depicting very well the idea of the anime, the melody is something to remember.
Other than that, the series boasts with what is called "grade A voice acting". I can find no flaws for the characters voices except for Ryohu's crying a few episodes in. Kazuma, Cougar, Mimori and the rest had perfect seyuus.
The BGM was nice also, managing to capture the atention and enhancing the feel of the anime.

Story
Normally, a super-powers anime usually just manages to have a completely sub-par story-line. Taking off the first episodes of SCRYED, where I actually fell asleep, the story is great. Shaking off the slow start, the story in this series shifts and turns, engulfing the characters in a swirling vortex, pulling and pushing them in different directions only to head for the end at episode 25. This may be a spoiler, but the actual story ends at episode 25, many people seeing episode 26 as a filler. Actually, it ain't, episode 26 is the supreme embodyment of the entire series' ideas and motives, the ultimate show of power, of what true power is.
The plot's twists and turns completed by the Alter background story and the character's own little stories make this anime into a real jewel in terms of story-line. I was upset only by the first episodes and the sudden introduction of a villain from the main-land. That was uncalled for and it could've been better without him just complicating matters.
A good story, a very good story, although not original...I applaude the producers.

Character
Here we are...the characters. Damn good characters, perfectly meshed on the general feel of the anime and on it's story-line, each equiped with his or her unique Alter. Speaking of Alters, some were sub-par, annoyingly looking even...Pokemon-like. But The main characters spar with great powers which actually impressed me as to the idea behind them.
The 2 main characters are some of the best I've seen in anime thus far. Each following his own path and beliefs, reacting naturally to what happens.
Scryed trully uses its strengths to create believable characters, the only exception being the last bad-guy(forgot his name) who appears like a plant out of the soil. No background, no motive, no nothing.

Value
Value? I'll rewatch this when time will permit. A very good show, very enjoyable if you pass the first 5 episodes.

Shounen at it's most shounen.

Visuals:
The visuals are very colourful, with bright and vibrant characters, backgrounds, and effects. There is a decent amount of detail in the artwork, and the world presented seems thought out enough.

The fluidity of the animation is about average - I've seen better, but this is by no means bad. My major gripe with the visuals lie in the overall presentation, which lacks intelligence and style. Every action scene is a wishwash of chaos without making it feel truly spectacular like it would imply. It all feels uncomplicated and unsophisticated, and I suppose, easier for the younger viewer to comprehend. But the action is set on such a large scale that you'd expect it to be more significant than it actually is.

Sound:
The sound is above average. A lot of the musical score will be a matter of taste to most people; for me I thought it was alright, but I wasn't particularly fond of it. The opening and closing themes I thought were sub-par. There are ample sound effects to accompany the consistent chaos onscreen, and they do their job well. The voice acting overall is about mediocre, being balanced out by some good voices and some terrible ones (Mimori is aweful).

Story & Characters:
The story, even though it had a cliched idea, still had a decent enough premise to make a good anime. It just didn't happen however.

The story consists of a a somewhat post-apocalyptic area known as the Lost Ground outside of a major city, where a handful of people have developed unique mutant powers known as Alters. The people of the major city want to keep the Alter Users at bay, and hence employ a group of Alter Users known as HOLY to keep order amongst the people of the Lost Ground. The decision makers of HOLY however, end up becoming a bit too righteous for their own good, and instead of keeping order, soon begin to opress the people living in the Lost Ground, and forcing their Alter Users to join HOLY or be imprisoned. One man fights back...

I was suprisingly captivated by Scryed for longer than I thought I would be. I found it interesting to see how the hero Kazuma developed with the prospect of him going up against such a large and powerful opposing force. Like all good shounen, his character begins the anime with a spark of hidden strength, and evolves into a more powerful character as the story progresses. However, his abilities consisted of an amalgamation of righteousness and pure strength, which became boring very quickly. There was no real thought process involved in any action he took, only that it was based on instinct and passion. Many of the battles were also of this nature.

A second lead, Ryuho, is introduced as the counterpart of Kazuma, but for the first part of the anime is battling on the opposing side. He is almost a polar opposite to Kazuma, consisting of intelligence and preparation to go with his power, but lacking passion. These two characters became hard to like because of their lacking qualities. Power aside, no one had the essential qualities to make them really likable. Blended into one character, they would have been more fun to watch. Two side characters, Straight Cougar and Kimishima I found to be more lovable, and it was a shame that they weren't onscreen more. I also grew more fond of another side character called Tachibana as the series progressed. My point being that the two leads are where my attention SHOULD have been at, but wasn't.

A lot of the females have been portayed as sensible but weak characters, going in heavy contrast with with male cast. Almost every female character in Scryed is annoying. Non more so than Mimori, who feels as though she's in the way of every scene. Kanami had an odd placement in the anime, being a bit too young for the rest of the crowd but still suggesting a romantic link with Kazuma. Sheris, for most of the anime, I thought was pointless being onscreen so often as she was. It was only when the anime was ending, that she had any reason to her existence. But I felt that it was too little too late.

The groups portrayed as villians early in the anime did an adequate job, but were humanised rather than being clear-cut bad. The real villians of the anime didn't really show up till the end third of the series, where they had no good aspects and were easy to dispise. I found the overall antagonist to be more on the maniacal side rather than frightening, which for me took some of the wind out of his sails, making him seem more of an annoyance for the protagonists rather than a real threat, even though he pushed them to their limit.

The character development in the series is so gradual that it can almost be regarded as subjective. The two leads are still basically the same at the end of the series, except they fight on the same side and have a more powerful Alter. The bonds between all the main cast are also still in pretty much the same state of feeling as at the start, except for the acknowledgement that time and events have passed. Overall, it doesn't give a great feeling of progression.

Value & Enjoyment:
I don't think I would watch this series again. I have been much more impressed by other shounen that I would rather watch. I suppose for me, this series only seems to cater for the LCD - it doesn't require much thought, but as a result it doesn't impress or deilver the excitement it should. There are no revelations that spark a genuine interest, and even the action sequences are repetitive and grow tired very quick.

This was a good series in par, but it was fucking ruined with english voices...

Fucking Minori's voice pisses me off....

It makes me like the Hulk: Your making me angry, you won't like meee when I'm angrrrry!

Fucking english cast are so bold and they change the dialogue and all kinds of shit, it makes the series suck dick..

I mean the only real series that was dubbed in english and stayed good was Inuyasha... I mean every other series got shitty ass voiceovers and they screwed with the dialogue to much...

This is more about the series rather than the GAY ASS ENGLISH DUB!

1. Minori should go down on Kazuma on a fact that Ryo pisses me off.

2. The animation is nice.

3. The character development is stiff but still flows nicely throughout the series.

4. Did I mention the english voiceovers are seriously gay!

5. Story - its a good story, quite original and has some good moments... Really parallels away from the most common animes, its sort of nice.


If I was Kazuma I would pop with one of these:

[In the Evil Camp Holding The "Bad" Alter Users]

Ryo: Ha, I got you, you chicken shit mo'focker!

Kazuma: Ha, I'm stronger than you, and I fucked your girlfriend!

Ryo: Ha, your like the orange motherfucker you don't even know a girlfriend of mine...

Kazuma: Ha, the orange motherfucker knows her just not her name, which is Minori, she told me when she was going down on me.

Ryo: Ha, that didn't happen.

Kazuma: Ha, yes it did.

Ryo: Ha

Kazuma: Ha, it was nice.

Ryo: Ha

Kazuma. Ha

Ryo: Ha

Kazuma: Ha

Ryo: I don't wanna get sentenced for statutory rape or nothing, but that little girl of yours was really into me and I let her ride the Ryo's-Am-Mobile...

Kazuma: Ha

Ryo: Ha, it was nice.

Kazuma: Ha, I'm telling the police, thats probably 5 years!

Ryo: Ha!

Kazuma: Ha, what?

Ryo: I forgot I'm covered, my semen ain't in her and I had my shit on so I'm cool, no clues, nobody even knows that I know your little girly...

Kazuma: Ha, I got pictures of you doing it motherfucker!

Ryo: Ha, I new you did so I was planning on it so I could, Ha!

Kazuma: What?

Ryo: Ha!



And thats would I would do!

Character and overall (the characters are pretty much all that make up this anime IMHO so it get's a central role)

This is actually the worst anime I ever started watching and actually finished. Which is quite insane as the main characters (Kazuma) moronic and pathetic bad ass attitude started bugging me from the second episode. And he does'nt change, he's the same moron at the end of the anime as he was when he first started showing off his qualitys. Only difference is he's gotten stronger, he still seems to act purely on instinct, just slugging through whatevers in front of him because he thinks it's "fun".

Ryuho actually goes through some character development, of course he can actually decide upon what to do and why he's doing it by cerebral means as opposed to gut instinct as is the case of his rival. Which is a good start if you're meaning to develop your actual persona (and not just get stronger because the people who made the show thought it'd be cool for the audience and would give them huge ratings).

And to further the disgrace they are always paired of in scene after lame scene where they supposedly think and do the same things and as they are so different in character it has to mean that their actions are so just and right. Or something, and oh, they really don't like each other. I guess it's genetic, the two alpha males fight for the right to, fight I guess.

On top of this there are of course a bunch of support characters but they're pretty much overshadowed by the two powerful dudes. And do I need to tell you that they are all much more likable and believable than they are.

And to top it all of the antagonist who does'nt appear until quite late in the show is the worst of the bunch. He really is, they made him so disgusting that the only motivation to watch the anime after his introduction is to see him get smashed into nothingness. And his character is the worst as well, the viewer get's almost no info as to why this little snotty prick is so so so interested in aquiring power just for the sake of it. And not much info on how he came by the power that he actually has either, power is just doled out without reason in this anime.

Animation
It's average no more, no less. It looks ok but it definitely lacks any semblance to soul. And the designers definition of cool seriously differs from mine (as could be said of the characters ;-) )

Sound
Ok music, it's supposed to be there and it does it's job but I wont be looking for the OST.
Voiceacting is really bad, they push too hard and they act as it's a Shakespeare drama. Or maybe I'm to harsh on the actors, it could actually be the animes fault cause as I did'nt get any incentive to actually believe in any of the characters the big words coming out of their mouths only serves to make a parody out of things.

Story
Not much of it. Totally overshadowed by the two supposed heroes, the story was pretty much only along for the ride. It feels as if the story that is there is just put there to support the action that occurs, and it does'nt.

Enjoyment
I saw through it, I just don't know why. I can't recommend it to anyone else as long as I'm not in a sadistic mood. I certainly wont watch it again.