Cross Ange was recommended to me back then since Im a big fan of mecha anime and Ive been a fan of this series up to this day. Sure
it probably wont get as much recognition as other big name mecha titles out
there but it has made an expression to those that have watched it. And it was
received well enough to have its own game on the PS Vita and also be included
as character in Super Robot Taisen V alongside big mechas like the Gundam
Unicorn and the Gundam Crossbones.
Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragons is a Japanese mecha anime television
series produced by Sunrise. The same company that gave you Gundam. Cross Ange aired from October 2014 to March 2015.
A manga adaptation began publication in August 2014.
The story revolves around Princess Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi,
a sixteen-year-old princess who lived an carefree life. Beautiful, talented,
athletic, loved by her people, and soon to be next to the throne of the
Misurugi Empire, Ange basically had everything. Her kingdom was in a blissful
age of peace and prosperity thanks to the utilization of an extremely advanced
technology materialization force known as "mana."
To survive, Angelise is forced to pilot these Paramail to fight against dragons that invades their world and protecting the very people that had shun her all the while finding real purpose in her new life and the mysteries that surrounding their world.
Angelise is a whiny girl with an ego and a superiority
complex. There are times in the first few episode where you just want to drown
her in acid or grab a baseball bat and whack her across the head a few times.
Shes a character that looks down and even despise those under her and that is a bad
start for any main character in any series. Fortunately she gradually redeems
herself sadly with the expense of some of her friends.
A lot of characters die in this anime and in horrific and
bloody ways too. The story is mature and tackles philosophical topics like the
meaning of life, slavery, women exploitation, genocide and racism. It also has
enough fan service to make this almost an H title. I wouldn't be surprised if
some H fanfic is made from this anime already. The story twist in this anime is
good and certainly nothing like most mecha anime I have seen thus far.
There are certain scenes and Easter eggs in this anime that is
directly referencing other movies or mecha anime in existence. Guess that is
expected since the same folks that did Cross Ange also did Gundam Seed. The
story starts out slow and picks up as the series progresses.
The only downside is that a lot of the characters seem rather
one dimension except for Ange who goes through a rainbow of emotion from happy,
hate and despair. This anime also goes to extremes. When its violent theres a ton of blood and missing body parts and when its comedic its really funny, when it has fan service its near
borderline H at times. It can break and make a scene from time to time.
The music and theme song is one of the best ive seen for a
mecha series since Gundam Wing and its even incorporated in the plot as well.
Im not going to lie I have the Opening theme Song and the Dragon Song used
during the Dragon Song battle of Episode 11 of this series on my mp3 player.
Its simply that good of a music track.
Overall, Cross Ange is a good mecha anime for those who wants to have
a good story, decent character development and a nice amount of fan service on their
anime. Its one of those underrated anime series that deserved more love than
what most folks gave it. Its a slow start for sure but those that watched it to
the end wont be disappointed. Id easily recommend this on anyone who wants to
see something different. Love it or hate it everyone should at least watch this
series at least once.
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