Anime Review: Saikano

Review Saikano aka Saishuu Heiki Kanojo Written by Warpshadow Rating Excellent

Most anime show are kind of light and fluffy, being made for escapism. There are some show that aren't that way, shows that will hit you right in the gut with emotional intensity. That description fits Saikano perfectly.

Shuji is a high school student who has just gotten a new girlfriend. Her name is Chise and she is a timid girl. One day Shuji's life changes when he out with his friends. Elsewhere there is a war raging but their town is peaceful. One of them dies in an air raid but a mysterious figure starts destroying the attacking planes. Shuji finds out that it is Chise, who has been turned into a weapon of immense power. Needless to say this changes their relationship immensely.

Saikano is a romantic tragedy with few if any equals in anime. The story is incredibly sad but doesn't wallow in it's own angst. The ability of the characters to go forward despite the horrors of war makes their hardships all the more sad and compelling. The characters are complex and presented in a very honest way. They are allowed to be flawed. They can come of as a bit irrational but if you think about it their actions and thoughts make sense. This is not a show that one can watch easily, as it is prone to have negative emotional impact on the viewer. On the other hand a bad show wouldn't be capable of that.