Studio: MAPPA
Director: Satou Keiichi (Tiger and Bunny)
Writer: Hasegawa Keiichi
Main Cast:
Yoshino Hiroyuki as Favaro Leone
Shimizu Risa as Amira
Inoue Gou as Kaisar Lidfard
Animation: Onda Naoyuki (Gantz, Blassreiter)
Music: Ike Yoshihiro (Ergo Proxy, Tiger and Bunny)
I don’t usually talk about the source material for an anime for a couple of reasons. The biggest one is that I don’t really care what the source material is unless it is completely obvious. And when it is completely obvious, that is rarely, if ever, a good thing. So, it does not bother me that Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis is based on a card game. The only time that fact is noticeable is how the main character collects his bounties, they turn into cards that he brings to the local drunk god in his Dr. Who-esque carriage. Other than that, it functions as any adaptation should, by expanding on an already created world and using the language of film to tell its story. And really, by doing those two things it is already well ahead of most anime that are adapted from other mediums.
There is something refreshing about Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis in that it doesn’t feel the need to dump its exposition in the first few minutes. Sure, the first scene is a huge battle. But, it has barely any dialogue and seems more like it is there to show how puny and powerless humans in this world are compared to the forces of angels, demons, and the giant titular dragon. In other words, it is competent world-building. The character introductions are similarly good. The two main guys are introduced in the middle of a chase scene that establishes them as rival bounty hunters. Kaisar is the serious one, while Favaro is the more easy-going one. They fight their way through a fantasy town setting in an elaborate action piece that has them run into some other characters that eventually introduces the third protagonist, the female demon Amira. She eventually meets up with Favaro, who she thinks can take her to a far away city in the frozen wastes. And Kaisar ends up following along for his own reasons. And all of this without wasting a line on awkward expository dialogue.
that could destroy the world, you just have to do it.
Now, it’s not all good with Bahamut. The characters aren’t exactly what I would call great. Amira is fine with her “fish out of water” traits as she navigates the human world as she tries to reunite with her mother. Kaisar is passable as well, he at least has some motivation with his quest to regain his family’s lost honor. But, Favaro is a bit of a dick as far as main characters go. He’s a womanizing jerk whose first instinct when he sees that Amira has cursed him with a demon’s tail is to try to kill her. But, I can sort of see what the show is doing with him. He is at least a capable bounty hunter, and he may still end up a decent guy if he is developed correctly. As for the greater story, a bit of it is revealed by the end of the third episode, namely Amira has become one half of the key that will break the seal on Bahamut. And if that seal is broken, that would be bad.
I almost have to pick up Bahamut just for knowing how to pace itself. That is such a rare trait in anime that it deserves to be rewarded. And so I will, Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis receives a passing grade. It has its issues, especially with the scenes involving the Gods and Demons talking about what is going on becoming more common. Come on guys, you already showed that you know how to get your plot points across without this stuff. Don’t screw it up now. But, as long as the focus is kept on the main characters, this should be a fine show, though probably not a great one.