So finally, got around to forcing myself finish Last Exile - Fam the Silver Wing -...and I really mean it when I say forcing myself. There have been few series in recent years that I was as excited to see as this one. The first Last Exile series was a bit of a pleasant surprise to me, and I was stoked that we’d have an opportunity to revisit that universe with another Range Murata designed cast. Unfortunately, that was about the extent of the positives that I came away with from the series.
Probably most disappointing to me was the characters. We were teased with the return of characters from the first series, but they ended up with little to no time on screen. Instead, we were left with protagonists that were underwhelming and antagonists that were simply frustrating. As the lead title, Fam came across to me as naïve and about as deep as a piece of cardboard. Giselle had a somewhat interesting moment or two, but for the most part was relegated to the backup character role of navi/hanger-on. Millia was probably the most likable of the group, for me, and she struck me as having the most depth and growth. Granted, that’s not saying much.
Then there were the antagonists. They seemed to try for some kind of anti-hero or martyr approach to the whole thing, but I just found their motivations and reasoning illogical. There was this point where they tried to explain how these characters were carrying such a heavy burden, but I could not agree at all with their justifications. No matter what kind of idealism they tried to paint it with, I could not find myself at all empathizing with or supporting the rationalized murder and butchery that was perpetrated.
So really, what I was left with was a series in which I really didn’t care what happened to almost any of the characters. When some kind of tragedy occurred that was supposed to create a dramatic or poignant moment, I really found myself callously not concerned at all. The only emotional response I remember having to most of the show was being frustrated with how stupid and easily led some of the characters were. I think I’m going to have to find more synonyms for “frustrating” and “disappointing” when I describe this series to my friends. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I think even without any sense of anticipation I would have come away with the same unsatisfying feeling.
- sorry for the length...I think I had to vent. I can't remember the last time I had fight the urge to skip through parts of the last episodes in an anime because I just couldn't take watching the whole thing. >.<
