3ET: Captain Earth

Another mecha show? Oh wait, it's NOT Sunrise. Now, you have my attention.

Studio: Bones

Director: Igarashi Takuya (Star Driver, Ouran Koukou Host Club)

Writer: Enokido Youji (Star Driver, Shoujo Kakumei Utena)

Main Cast:

Irino Miyu as Manatsu Daichi

Kamiya Hiroshi as Arashi Teppei

Kayano Ai as Mutou Hana

Hidaka Rina as Yomatsuri Akari

Character Design: Ishino Satoshi (Date a Live, Puni Puni Poemi)

Music: Kousaki Satoru (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, Bakemonogatari)

It is inevitable that Captain Earth will be compared to the first mecha anime by Igarashi and Enokido, Star Driver. And if Captain Earth were just a clone of Star Driver, I'd be fine with that. But, it isn't. For one, Captain Earth is a traditional mecha show, instead of the "magical girl with robots" show that was Star Driver. Aliens are trying to destroy the Earth, and the only way to stop them is with giant robots. Also, Captain Earth is not nearly as camp as its predecessor. That doesn't mean it has completely lost the flamboyant moments that Igarashi and Enokido are known for, they're just used more sparingly. The result is a show that feels larger in scope, especially with all that happens in the first three episodes.

An important thing that gets done in these episodes is establishing characters. Manatsu Daichi is quickly develops from a lackadaisical high school student to a mecha pilot. But, this development makes sense, given his existing friendship with two mysterious children, Arashi Teppei and Mutou Hana. As well as how he reacts to seeing them and how they are treated by one of the secret organizations charged with protecting the world. There is also good characterization for other side characters, like the commanding officer who is also Daichi's uncle. He's the protective type, and is willing to stand up to the second secret organization that is overseeing his to protect Daichi and the other pilots. The villains are not as interesting, but that I already care about the main people is a good sign for this show.

I'm not sure Teppei wanted to show Daichi his rainbow.

The other thing I really enjoyed is how the show is already eschewing the "monster of the week" label that often gets slapped on this type of show. The first battle is little more than a place for the animators to show off the Earth Driver. And they do this quite well thanks to Bones' ample budget. But, the second actually has some dramatic weight since the alien robot that is trying to reach Earth is the same one that Daichi's father gave his life to stop nine years ago. It also reveals what had already been suggested about Teppei,  that he's also an alien. His motivation for helping this side of the conflict remains in doubt, and his being an alien wasn't really surprise given that he can summon a circular rainbow above his palm. But, what I like this scene is how the information is conveyed to Daichi. Teppei uses his mech to make the circular rainbow appear above its palm, which immediately tells Daichi who is in the cockpit. That's good writing, and while the exposition has some clunky moments, it's mostly done quite well.

The last thing that makes me unequivocally pass this show is that I implicitly trust Igarashi and Enokido. The two of them are behind some of my favorite anime of the all-time. What they have done by already establishing a lot of characters' personalities, revealing several side plots, and already developing relationships between the four main pilots is quite impressive. At times, it almost feels like there is too much being shown this early in the show, but I'll take that "problem" over being bored this early in the show. There is a lot to juggle here, but if anyone can do it, it's these two. And I'm excited to see how they pull it off.