The fall season continues, and we’ve got more anime to talk about. Another great show has blessed the screen for mecha and shounen fans—Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms. The first episode showcased some impressive animation, stirring up that nostalgic childhood hype from within.
Contents
First Impressions
First and foremost, the animation blew me away. I was expecting something impressive, but it exceeded my expectations. From what I’ve seen, the animation is entirely 2D hand-drawn. The fights are well choreographed, and there’s a well-established power system that has yet to be fully revealed. The music by Hiroyuki Sawano, Kohta Yamamoto, and AWSM’s Daiki perfectly sets the vibe and complements the action and theme.
Mecha-Ude almost feels like a shounen anime from the 2000s. It gives me Katekyou Hitman Reborn! vibes with a cyberpunk twist. The plot seems simple and straightforward, making it easy to dive into. It reminds me of the old days when we enjoyed a show for what it was, instead of demanding insane expectations like story depth or intense character development. The mecha aspect just adds to that childlike wonder. The world of this story seems poised to expand, and the characters are intriguing enough to make you want to follow their journey.
Mecha-Ude Characters
The characters are likable from the get-go. The MC, Hikaru, is going through a dilemma that most teens—even adults—can relate to: self-doubt and self-loathing. But he lets his curiosity guide him, which eventually leads him into trouble. He doubts and blames himself over whether he should do the right thing, only to regret his actions afterward. His encounter with a certain mechanical life-form changes his worldview and pushes him to overcome this dilemma. It’s a classic coming-of-age story with some lvel of depth.
The other MC, Aki, on the other hand, has more layers to her. Her quirkiness makes her immediately likable, but we know it’s a facade she puts up to hide what’s really bothering her. We have yet to see how her chemistry with Hikaru will play out.
The Opening and Ending
A classic shounen anime OP with badass animation perfectly encapsulates what this show is about. It features a unique art style mixed in to give depth to the dreamlike sequences, while also characterizing the inhabitants of the story. The song “VORTEX” is performed by Setsuko of Kuhaku Gokko.
The ED, however, is a completely different story. It’s more intimate, diving deep into the psyche of the main character. The mix of choppy animation and various special effects is used to symbolize many aspects of the character and the dilemmas he faces. Not just the MC, but the other characters are also given much attention and depth. The song “Karma,” performed by the same artist, elevates the emotion with its beautiful melody. It’s one of the most beautiful EDs I’ve seen in a while.
About Mecha-Ude
Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms is an original anime that was originally a kickstarted-backed project launched in 2016 by Okamoto. In 2019, the project was finally realized and an OVA was released on YouTube. The full-fledged anime project was launched by Pony Canyon on September 15, 2022, produced by TriF Studio, with the original staff and voice cast picking up the roles. Find all the information on the official website as well as design, concept art, and artworks.
Key Visuals
After Thought
Mecha-Ude is one of the most highly anticipated anime this year, and it delivers on par with the hype. It’s been in production for a long while that’s backed up by fans, and I’m glad it finally got released. The characters and the world are pretty enticing, and the animation hits hard. The music by the aforementioned composers flows really well. It’s another must-watch anime this season.
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