First time with Rah Xephon--impressive

These thoughts are based on having seen episodes 1 and 2. No spoilers:

I have heard most people say two things about Rah Xephon.
1. It's a clone of Evangelion
2. It's must-see anime.

Response to #1:
Now, I've only seen episodes 1-4 of Evangelion, and the similarities are already quite obvious. With that said though, overall I'm enjoying Rah Xephon much better that Evangelion from only 2 episodes. There's not nearly as much distracting, quirky comedy; the main characters aren't as whiney or utterly depressing; the visuals of the world set-up are quite unique and inspired; and the overall sense of trippy yet coherent mystery is far more engaging. I wouldn't exactly call it a clone. It's more like Gundam and Macross--While the inspiration is obvious, the two both shine in their own uniqueness.

Response to #2:
I really can't say yet whether this series will be on my A-List of anime when all's said and done, but it's off to a compelling start. In fact, this is the first anime series to draw me in with this kind of scope in a long time--probably since BIG-O Season II. As far as I can tell, Cartoon Network missed a golden opportunity not picking this up. I suppose they'll make up for it with the more renowned Evangelion, but Rah Xephon has grabbed me much more than other offerings like Full Metal Alchemist, GIts, SCRYED, etc. It's intellectual and compelling all at once. Right from the fitting theme song, you're pulled into something you know is going to be cerebral, serious, and dramatic. It seems to mean business.

I hope it continues to impress.

I'll have to take a look. How do you pronounce the name?

It's pronounced "Rah" (-word break-) "Zef-On"

It's on Fridays (with replays on either Sundays or Mondays) on G4 TV. Check their site G4tv.com under "anime unleashed" for more details.

Frankly, I think AS didn't pick it up is because of Eva and Big O and they used to have Gundam and Candidate for Goddess (Now expired), they didn't want to over do mecha....not to mention they already have CB, FMA, and WR...they probably didn't want to hog/license any more Bones anime.

It's okay. Not really into mecha anime that much....but this one has potential.....besides...You can't tell much from G4 seeing as how there's commercial breaks every 3 seconds.

I don't know if Rah Xephon is technically a mecha show, but it has those elements mixed in. I happen to be a HUGE mecha fan and have been upset with Adult Swim's lack of mecha since really Gundam 0083 and maybe Pilot Candidate. Big-O isn't technically a mecha show and neither is Evangelion.

Lastly, mecha shows, when done right (which is rare), usually never stand on the strength of their mecha. That's just a bonus. But anyways, yeah, give it a try.

quote:

Originally posted by Paradigm Dog Lastly, mecha shows, when done right (which is rare), usually never stand on the strength of their mecha. That's just a bonus. But anyways, yeah, give it a try.

I agree. The giant robot action (or whatever the "mecha" is, such as Evangelion and RahXephon) is supplemental to the human drama going on. This is similar to Big O. I'm more interested in the characters and drama than the mecha action.

That said, all three of these shows have AMAZING mecha action sequences, usually one or two per episode. (I contrast this to the blah blah mecha flying/fighting sequences in most of the Gundam shows - the biggest exception is 08th MS Gundam Team - which has intense gundam battles and heart-tugging human drama - the perfect mix just like the three named above ).

Anywho, RahXephon is an excellent show. I'd say it tops Evangelion based on the quality of animation, music, character design, and character drama. Plus, the storyline of the entire series has a much greater continuity and resolution than Evangelion. (Of course, Evangelion came first, so it gets extra props for that, as well as its novel approach by starting with a classic mecha/boy pilot/stereotype anime story and throwing the entire thing on its head.)

RahXephon has similarities to Eva, most notably in the organic/freakishly designed "enemies," the central character finding his place in life, and the mysterious organizations running everything.

Where RahXephon really shines is the characters and stories. Each and every character (minor or major) gets their chance in the spotlight - whether that be in a featured episode, a continual storyline, off and on throughout the series, or just a few scenes here and there.

Great show! Keep watching!

I always wanted to see this show, my homegirl at school is a big fan of it, i saw the complete collection at best buy for 50 bucks, i might have to pick it up

this is an anime i have been wanting to see for a while but i'm not excatly sure on the fact that i would like it.. what exactly is the point of the anime?

Without giving too much away (and don't read the jacket sleeves or watch the VA interviews on the DVD's - they give away some spoilers that occur much later in the show), RahXephon is basically about a boy who finds himself in the middle of an interdimensional war between humans and some "aliens" called the Mu.

And yes, it's a lot more complicated than that - with organic mechas using the power of sound and music, conflicting timelines, reality paradigm shifts, a lot of character drama - unrequited love, secret admirers, conspiracy, backstabbing betrayals, hidden spies, and all sorts of fun stuff.

The larger "meaning" of the show is about discovering who you are regardless of your origins, as well as reclaiming lost relationships regardless of time and distance.

Simply put, it's the best "new" anime I've seen since Last Exile.

The animation is top notch, high impact action sequences, both driving and melacholy music, and the best treatment of a massive cast of characters I've ever seen. You get to know each character as an individual as the show progresses.

And there's RahXephon - a giant "mecha" that fights giant beings designed in the tradition of the weird Evangelion "angels." But I'd say there's more emphasis on character drama and mysterious twists than simply giant robot battles. Highly recommended!

I just watched the RahXephon Movie. Like a lot of movie versions of television series, it's a fast-clipped, reader's digest version of the story. And like a lot of movie versions, that's not a good thing.

Probably the thing I disliked most was the lack of attention to the supporting cast. But this is a natural consequence of trimming 13 hours to 2. Still, the detailed attention to each character's development and story is perhaps the best thing I liked about the TV series.

Still, it's an enjoyable movie. It DOES add some extra scenes here and there - especially at the beginning. I think they say it's an "alternate" look at the story, but it's still pretty close to the original plot (nothing waaaaay different like Escaflowne). And I'd argue that the movie clarifies some things about the characters' pasts and the set-up for the whole conflict.

I suggest watching the entire television series first. (The TV series is still one of my top 10 favorite animes.) Then you can watch the movie as a sort of recap and filler of some questions you may have had. (Or maybe I would figured some of the stuff out if I just watch the series a second time through.)

The movie also gives away some of the plot and character twists right away, unlike the TV show which allows you to enjoy the mystery and try to figure out stuff on your own. That's another reason to see the TV show first.

What does everybody else think? Anybody seen the movie first? What's your take on it?

Personally I do not really like the series it is in my opnion rather lame, I thought the story line was pretty bland and mindless. The graphics are alright but it just did not do it for me. This show reminds me of all of some of the other Gundam series I don't really like with more flying scenes. Rah Xephon does remind me of Evagelion with the mecha style and could possibley fall under the take off catogery. Maybe if I found the dvds used for cheap maybe I would sit down and watch it more but I doubt it.

-Beth

New thoughts after episode 10, approaching episode 11 (no spoilers):

The series has fallen off a great deal (continuously) since the amazing first two episodes. Right now it's pretty incoherent and not much seems to be going on of importance...seems to be focusing a lot on depression lately. Its world and the drama of its characters are still interesting enough to watch, but as a whole package, the series is falling apart and has lost much of the grand alure that initially attracted me to it.

There's A LOT of potential though if it can pick up--it's got such unique fantastic themes and deep subjects at its core. I've heard it gets better so I'll definitely keep watching. Visually, it's still one of the most classic, professional-looking anime I've seen in a long time. It really needs to pull together soon though if its to show itself as an outstanding title.

PS- I've heard rumors that the full ending is available only after the credits of episode 26, which G4 won't run at the last episode I bet. I hope a Rahxephon vet will tell me what I missed when the time comes. I don't want to be in the dark like with Last Exile's TV broadcast ending being cut short.

The series is headed toward episode 17 and is currently in disarray...a far cry from episodes 1 and 2. I'm hoping it can turn around, but it doesn't have much time left. It's had some interesting character drama, and some facinating ideas, but the latter haven't been focused on enough in the story. Also, despite the cerebral nature of this show, I expected at least BIG-O or EVA level combat in here. The combat's been almost non-existant or very cheaply done. Still, I'll keep watching it because I know this series can get above average if it makes the right moves....

PS- I've heard rumors that the full ending is available only after the credits of episode 26, which G4 won't run at the last episode I bet. I hope a Rahxephon vet will tell me what I missed when the time comes. I don't want to be in the dark like with Last Exile's TV broadcast ending being cut short.

Rah Xephon IS BACK! In a 360-degree turn, episodes 19 and 20 were extremely strong. I hope it can keep it up. Great stuff.

Are those the episodes that feature Ayato and his friend - the girl Asahina Hiroko - when they're on the run?

spoiler (highlight to read):

That battle with the Dolem (and what's happening with Asahina back in the hotel room) is incredibly powerful.

Nothing more can be said.

You just have to see it.

Yes, Schoolie, it was that episode and the one after it.

Awesomely poetic. One of the most unique moments of any series ever. Can't wait to see where this goes from here. I realize now that all the slow, disjointed episodes were meant to develop the characters for this point. I just wish the development had been a little less uneven after episode 2 and done a bit more dynamically. Still, this is a quality series that provides one of the better, more unique experiences recently in anime--especially for the mecha-drama genre.

Yeah, my first impression of the show is that its greatest strength is in the character drama, and the mecha action is second.

Still, if my memory serves me right, the action picks up toward the end - both in pace and scale.

Only 2 more episodes left. The last few episodes have really brought this series to where I always felt it could be. This is incredible stuff and it's going to be sad to say goodbye to a story/world that has been developed to this extent. The art style is beautiful--it strikes me more and more. I can't believe this show isn't getting more attention. Some of the character drama, most recently in episode 24, has been more unique and genuine than anything I've seen in a long while. Anyways, can't wait for the final two episodes. I hope the ending isn't cut too short for TV.

WOW! The series has ended its first TV run and the ending just blows the viewer away. A fantastic, fitting ending--one of the best endings ever. I don't understand every bit of it, but it's obvious to me what happened in the overall picture and with many of the secondary characters, and the smaller details I'm sure I could get if I watched all 26 over again. It's no where near as ambiguous as BIG-O...

Any fan of BIG-O or anime NEEDS to watch this series, PERIOD. There are a lot of parallels between the Big-O and RahXephon, and BIG-O's writer even did a few (approx. 6) episodes of RahXephon.I think RahXephon's ending is what The Big-O's Konaka-san was going for with Season 2 and it's where BIG-O would generally head if Season 3 ever gets made.

I agree with Schoolie that this is one of the best anime post 2000. It's better than anything else that's been shown on TV recently with all its character drama, artwork, intelligent references to ancient cultures and beliefs, etc. I seriously doubt Evangelion can top this, though I haven't seen all of EVA yet. From just six episodes of EVA though, RahXephon's first 6 are already better.