Betterman
Episodes: 26
Director: Yoshitomo Kometani
Music: Kouhei Tanaka
Character Design: Takahiro Kimura
Mechanical Designer: Kunio Okawara

Synopsis: In a futuristic world, Algernon has struck. It's a disease no one quite understands, and no one is safe from. It mercilessly murders and drives people insane. This is where Akamatsu Industries, disguised as a heavy factory company in Tokyo, comes in. They developed methods of dueling with Algernon, to save people. Poor Keita Aono, our main character, gets caught up in the plot and ends up joining forces with them. Behind the scenes and at sometimes at the forefront battling Algernon is the mysterious "Betterman", a being with extraordinary abilities.

Review: Betterman is a series that was well done by the creators of the show. Within the twenty six episodes, there are minor homages here and there to other anime (such as the first appearance of one character being remarkably similar to that of Rei Ayanami's, from Evangelion). There is even the traditional high school boy who somehow ends up piloting a giant robot through a series of very odd events. Here's where it gets rather weird, though: the plot is so tangled with Algernon, psychotic villains, and the origins of Betterman and other characters it's hard to keep track sometimes, even when you're watching episodes in succession. That being said, there's unfortunately also a slight problem with the last few episodes. There is very little explanation about the final villain and how exactly it came to be, or even where it came from. There's a rushed explanation at the end that doesn't quite satisfy the viewer, but aside from that, everything is explained rather well. Director Kometani did a great job introducing the characters and fleshing them out, and though there isn't too much character development overall, you still feel for the characters whenever they're going through trouble, even the supporting cast. Character designs are beautiful, and the animation style hearkens back to earlier times, with sometimes exaggerated and comical style. Speaking of comical style, there is humor here and there, sprinkled about in between the drama and battles. It's well done, so that nothing seems out of place or missing.

The story is a little off sometimes, and during some episodes, you're thinking "Hey, where's Algernon? Isn't it supposed to be the main problem?". Other than that, it's well executed and sometimes sweeps you in with it's sheer breadth. The music is excellently composed, and it never seems to be overused. In each new episode, there is always a new place, and that new place introduces new music. Occasionally a battle theme is reused, or a terror theme, but for the most part, it's generally new music most of the time. Speaking of audio, the voice acting is top notch for the series, with such famous voice actors as Takehito Koyasu (voices Betterman), and actors who aren't in the spotlight as much (Miki Shinichiro, for example). Overall, everyone gives an excellent performance, and the English dub isn't that bad, either (this coming from a diehard subtitle watcher). The only gripe I have with the series in terms of audio is the OP song. It's very soft and odd for a series like this. When I say soft, I don't mean soft as in an older styled song with no hardcore guitar strumming, I mean soft as in a song that has almost nothing but vocals that sound almost like a whale song. The ED song more than makes up for it, however, and happens to be one of my favorite anime related songs of all time.

If you're looking for a series with plenty of plot twists, suspense, and mecha, this is the anime for you.

BGM: 7/10
Story: 8/10
Characters: 9/10

Rating:

(This review written by Vega Vaikyuko)