Akudama Drive is a fast-paced, action packed anime set in the cyberpunk city of Kansai. In the dystopian future in Kansai, the story follows a young woman who accidentally becomes a criminal known as Akudama who are pursued by the government, though she decides to take a fake identity; Swindler, in order to survive after meeting Courier. This series is filled with action packed scenes, colorful neon-lighted visuals and the mystery of shinkansen.
Plot:
In a dystopian future where Kansai becomes a vassal state of Kanto, several highly skilled criminals called Akudama, were messaged from an anonymous client to execute a death row prisoner named Jackal, before he is executed. The four Akudamas respond to the challenge and land at Kansai Police Headquarters to receive a sizable salary. However, once inside, they learn that the act was part of a larger plan by their client so that they can work together on a bigger task: to infiltrate the Shinkansen and collect valuables from a vault in front of the train. To steal. A simple girl trapped in a job is arrested on a minor charge but forced to maintain the appearance of a thug, and a low-level hoodlum who accidentally breaks out of prison during an initial robbery was. The team must work together to finish the job and earn their big salary while staying ahead of the Kansai Police executioners on their tails.
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Art:
The artwork is absolutely pristine, the action sequences are gorgeous and beyond any expectation for a studio like Pierrot, this may in fact be the best looking show this studio has produced and the first episode may have the best scenes of any of this year. The direction for the fights and their choreography was smooth, of very high film quality, and there were no shortcuts to animation or any of the lazy camera work that is usually typical of this studio. The most notable fight scenes were almost as long as an episode and there was no laziness in the delivery, if you look at the TV version of the anime there is some censorship but it is nothing that ruins the scenes.
Soundtrack:
OP was one of the best this season, if it weren’t for the incredible line-up of impressive anime opening songs this season it certainly would have been in the first place. From blazing sound effects to a blazing techno-rap soundtrack, Akudama Drive has some of the better music from the season in which it aired, and much of the music here is well worth listening to outside the show.
Conclusion:
The art style, original feel, characters, and overall world building as well as the masterfully delivered story in a short 12-episode short series which have won many hearts this season. If you have enjoyed Psychopass and similar series set in a futuristic world with very well-choreographed action, then this show is definitely something you will enjoy.