RAHXEPHON

Orchestration 1 :Threshold

Yet another hit from “BONES”!

People who brought us “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie”, “Wolf’s Rain” and were responsible (under Sunrise) for “Patlabor” , “The vision of Escaflowne” and “Gundam 0083” prove again their excellence with this amazing series.

I have never seen better designed mecha/ robot than RahXephon – face covered by wings, human type of humanoid –looking; graceful in stature, resembling a knight in armour.Without mechanical weaponry hidden or visible, it’s power lies in energy bolts and destructive voice.

Voices. Sounds. As weapons and commands. Concept of RahXephon is based on music and time.
Their flow determines the Earth in 2015/2027 AD.Two dates, two entities: Tokyo Jupiter, domed Tokyo City occupied by MU, it’s inhabitans manipulated into ignorance of existance of outside world; The Earth Empire – what is left of us, in vicious war we are losing. In between – RahXephon. And Ayato.

Ayato, boy from Tokyo Jupiter that has control over giant robot. How and why, that is subject of this volume. Awaken by Reika’s amazing voice ( brought to life by Ms. Maaya Sakamoto) mecha hatches from an egg within Ra’s sanctuary deep within Tokyo Jupiter. Unstoppable and overpowering Mu’s Dolem counterparts Fortissimo and Alegretto (masterful design), RahXephon breaks through the barrier into the outside world.
It takes with it many questions and creates new ones. During the course of five episodes, we will get some answers but not the explainations. Every little detail is covered in mystery, carefully prepared by ‘Bones’ crew. Outlines are magnificent, and we’re led through the story by gradual introduction to characters of the series. Although standard in general, idea behind RahXephon is effortlessly developed into fresh, intriguing piece. Plots and subplots are unfolding slowly, adding new ones and enhancing the excitement. Your mind will be engaged in creating your own answers, creating more and more questions. Patience? I guess I will need it considering that his modern epic spans over 26 ‘scores’…

Whole series is created and directed by Yutaka Izubuchi as an orchestral piece. Melodic and fluent. Characters are poetic and soft, shaped into distinctive personalities with their specific voice, attitude and appearance. Overall animation and direction smoothed to perfection. Battle scenes are original and details are taken care of with utmost precision. Sound – perfect, with melodies like hymns, being the very essence of RahXephon.
These are the most exciting opening episodes of any series I followed. Although the focus from action scenes shifted to character studies in last two episodes thus slowing the tempo of the story, it still kept me well animated. Because I need the answers on dozen of unrevealed facts about Ayato, his mother, Tokyo Jupiter, MU Invaders… basically everything...

From concept to realisation, RahXephon is almost a perfection. Craftsmanship is visible with every scene of the series, both in animation and storyline. Enough for superb entertainment. And enough to want more.