Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Last Exile: A Retro Anime Masterpiece You Can’t Miss!

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In this steampunk setting, you’ll find a blend of advanced technology and outdated war tactics, all wrapped up in an exhilarating journey of self-discovery. Battleship duels and aerial dogfights fill the air, while the world remains shrouded in enigma. This is my take on 2003’s Last Exile, produced by GONZO.

On the steam-punk planet Prester, where colossal clouds form a vast ocean and the sky is speckled with inhabited floating islands, two nations, Anatory and Disith, engage in an apparently endless conflict over resources and territory. They fight using colossal airships and strategies reminiscent of the Napoleonic era. The code of Chivalry is followed so rigidly that soldiers on both sides fire at each other as their respective lines pass one another.

This intro to the world caught my attention so that I just got sucked in.

In this narrative, we encounter The Guild, a clandestine organization possessing cutting-edge technology, that maintains order during the ongoing conflict. Adherence to the Chivalric code is enforced in combat. The tale commences with Claus Valca, a 15-year-old orphan, and his longtime companion Lavie Head who scramble to eke out a living as swift sky messengers. They pilot a vanship, an aircraft resembling early 20th-century racing planes, which they inherited from their fathers—renowned pilots who perished in battle. Their aspirations lie in participating in vanship races with the profits they accrue. During their latest mission, they carry an urgent message to David Mad-thane, the commander of Anatoray’s forces, from his wife and daughter. Upon reaching the command ship following its triumph over Disith, a sudden, unprovoked attack occurs—an act that breaches protocol and escalates into total war.

Amidst the spreading panic among the Anatoray military, their vessels are systematically demolished. However, Commander Mad-thane remains steadfast in his decision to fight honorably until the very end. The Guild looks on passively from a distance, failing to intervene according to the rules. Lavie, a simple citizen, finds this blind devotion to chivalry unacceptable and openly criticizes the nobility’s inflexible adherence to it. Her words stir Mad-thane to order a retreat – an action that may be seen as dishonorable, but one that is crucial for their survival and reuniting with their families. To facilitate this retreat, Claus and Lavie offer to use their vanship as a decoy. As they do so, a puzzling red vanship and the battleship Silvana, commanded by the taciturn and enigmatic Alex Rowe, show up to lend assistance.

Sadly, their progress is halted as they’re delayed in reaching their race due to a battle. Starting from the back, they still participate, but during the competition, they come across a damaged vanship. Compassionate Claus rushes to aid it, discovering the pilot in a critical state. On his deathbed, the man confides in Claus a task: to safeguard a young girl named Alvis Hamilton and escort her securely to Alex Rowe on board the Silvana. Despite Lavie’s objections, Claus decides to fulfill the pilot’s final wish.

Just the initial four installments of an exhilarating 26-part odyssey that combines action, enigma, and sorrow are presented here. If your interest is piqued, I strongly advise you to continue along this path – it will not disappoint you.

Gonzo produced an outstanding work in this piece. The challenge in composing it was constantly finding myself drawn back into watching the series again whenever I mentioned it. It features powerful coming-of-age motifs, particularly with regard to Claus and Lavie’s stories. Claus is compelled into the military aspects of flying, whereas Lavie resists that lifestyle. The narrative also delves into political machinations, social class distinctions between nobility and commoners, and the excessive technology displayed by the Guild.

Absolutely, you’ll find tales of revenge, loyalty, and the lengths one might go for vengeance in this series, making it an exciting journey from beginning to end. Notably, there are numerous chess references throughout, which is quite intriguing. The characters, both main and supporting, are well-developed, with the duo of Dio Elacrea, a skilled pilot and a scion, along with his bodyguard Lucciola being particularly engaging and entertaining.

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the blend of Computer-Generated (CG) and traditional animation that Gonzo continues to masterfully execute in anime. The distinctive character designs by Range Murata, particularly his uniform designs inspired by historical Earth, add an intriguing layer to the visual experience. For a mecha/gear enthusiast like myself, the vehicle and ship designs of this show are nothing short of captivating – a mesmerizing fusion of industrial, steam punk, and sci-fi elements. The vanship races evoke a sense of familiarity reminiscent of Star Wars’ pod races, yet they manage to steer clear of excessive spectacle. To top it off, the presence of Gainax veterans within Gonzo’s ranks is evident in the expertly implemented tropes, particularly in the mechanical aspects.

Attentive eyes quickly notice the focus on control consoles, instrument panels, and heads-up displays in ships. The battles are thrilling, particularly the aerial combat with vanships. It’s all great! Hitomi Kuroishi’s musical score is captivating and fitting. Both the Japanese and English voiceovers are impressive, making it enjoyable to watch either version. Among the stellar performances, Crispin Freeman as Alex Rowe and Johnny Yong Bosch as Claus stood out to me, but there were many more excellent actors.

A follow-up to this series titled “Last Exile: Fam the Silver Wing” was released in 2012, but unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet so I’m not too familiar with its content. Maybe I’ll catch up on it later.

You have the option to stream “Last Exile” on Crunchyroll, as well as services such as Amazon Prime or Roku by installing the Crunchyroll add-on. I can’t stress enough how much I endorse this show!

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2025-03-29 20:45