Video Backlog: "Allison & Lillia"

Publisher: Sentai Filmworks (USA)
Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with optional English Subtitles
Length: 26 Episodes x 24 minutes
Production Date: 2008
Currently in Print (as of writing): Yes

Light novels seem to be the basis for the better anime series released in the last five years so. This series is based upon the “Allison” and “Lillia and Treize” series of light novels by Keiichi Sigsawa. He’s the guy behind “Kino’s Journey”, the anime series of which everyone seems to adore but me. I got really narked off at its ham fisted attempts at showing irony in the world it was portraying. The worst example of this is when Kino comes across a man dismantling a railway line and later comes across another man constructing the line a few miles further up the track. I was surprised there wasn’t a neon sign telling the audience it was ironic flashing on screen. The simplicity of the stories also shat me (it was as if the creators though the audience was a bit thick) and the “scan lines” imbedded into the video was pretty awful. Plus it had a damn talking bike. What was up with that?

With all that in mind, I wasn’t really looking forward to this show, especially with some of the less than stellar reviews. I should have realised by now that anime reviews, especially from the supposed commercial anime media (i.e. ANN and the like) and essentially worthless and aren’t to be trusted. Trying not to be cynical here, but I can help but feel some reviews are designed to be “controversial” in order to gain hits to impress the advertisers. Anyway back to this show. The most interesting aspect here is that two generations are represented over 26 episodes. The first begins in alternate world which seems very much like post WWI, however the war is still going and has been for over 130 years with no end in sight (though an armistice has been in effect for a decade). Our two young heroes, Allison Whittington and Wilhelm Schultz, though many circumstances, manage to suddenly end the war through an ancient discovery and bring back a lost heir to the throne. There are four arcs in this generation spread over 13 episodes. It does all feel a bit simplistic and rather silly at times. The animation does dip a bit too rather early on. While the writing isn’t too crash hot, the sense of adventure kept me interested. It’s really exciting and feels really fresh. There’s not many series like this out in today’s market.

The last half of the show introduces us to the next generation; Lillia and Treize (hence the title of the anime). While the adventure like atmosphere has been toned down a lot, I really felt that this half of the show was written a lot better. The four arcs in these 13 episodes flowed more easily and everything a lot more natural. The first half did feel a bit forced and segmented, like the four arcs where separate books. However there were a lot of rather clichéd moments in this half. But it didn’t distract too much from the enjoyment of the show. Overall while rather silly in some parts and a little trite in others, this is a fun action adventure anime that is a free from a lot of modern day anime tropes and interestingly devoid of fan service. Plus the vintage planes where just so damn cool. 7 out of 10.

Remaining Backlog: 24 months (it's much easier this way than listing the number of discs).