Arknights: Prelude to Dawn anime review 2023
Plot Summary:
In the world of Terra, unexplained natural disasters are wreaking havoc, forcing people to flee to mobile cities for safety. These disasters have left behind a powerful energy source called Originium that has spurred rapid technological advancements. However, it has also led to the emergence of an incurable disease known as Oripathy. The Infected, whose bodies gradually crystalize and become contagious upon death, are persecuted and forced into labor by many governments.
But now, the oppressed are starting to fight back, and a pharmaceutical company called Rhodes Island is leading the charge to find a cure for Oripathy and end the suffering. With their weapons and expertise, they are on a quest to save all those affected by the disease and overthrow the oppressive regimes that seek to control them.
Review:
Arknights: Prelude to Dawn: A Mobile Game Anime Adaptation That Punches Above Its Weight
While not the most exciting or climactic episode of the series, Ryusui is a decent continuation of the tale that introduces a new character and ties up loose ends left by the end of Season 2's battle. Most significantly, it continues to highlight human development via science, showcasing the incredible progress that has been done. It foreshadows a fresh adventure at the start of the third season.
Unfortunately, the enchantment fades after the first few episodes. The villains become cartoonish, and the storyline becomes meandering in the second half. While the main narrative and atmosphere of the place are evident, most of the characters other than Amiya and Misha come off as undeveloped by the conclusion. The ultimate effect is an anime that punches much above its weight, but it's hardly a must-see for non-players.
To be honest, Arknights was always going to struggle to establish itself outside of the mobile gaming niche. The stark contrast between its funny animal girl character designs and the horrific post-apocalyptic war scenario it's attempting to depict is one of its most controversial parts. Some viewers may be turned off by this, but I think the character designs are appealing. Their designs are consistent, and their attire complements the whole style. There's certainly something to be said for a script that takes itself seriously, refusing to let any fourth-wall-breaking comedy in. Why should you care about how the characters appear if no one else in the plot does?
Another potentially off-putting feature is the Doctor's point-of-view persona. They're a character with an unclear gender, which Yuki Kaida's great voice acting skillfully portrays. The story begins with the doctor discovering they are amnesic, allowing Amiya to deliver setup exposition without interfering with the narrative flow. The Doctor's role appears to be essential to the broader storyline, but it's not precisely clear in the anime so far. Even after ten episodes, the Doctor is mainly shown as a passive character to whom Amiya explains events rather than actively engaging in them. That type of character would work well in a computer game scenario, but it lacks screen presence in an anime.
Despite the apparent game-like features, the plot works remarkably well as an anime. The central narrative, which focuses on a society ripped apart by natural calamities and an enigmatic sickness, is actually gripping. Amiya's empathy and optimistic outlook add an emotional foundation to what could easily be a depressing narrative. The atmosphere is vivid and well-developed, with locations like Chernobog and Lungmen having their own distinct flavor.
The production values contribute significantly to the attractiveness. The storyboarding and directing are remarkably assured; the anime constantly use letterboxing to create a film-like feel. Even as the animation stiffens in later episodes and the emphasis moves from action to dialogue-heavy moments, the character art never loses its sharpness. The exquisite backdrop graphics and sophisticated compositing work throughout Arknights: Prelude to Dawn ensure that there is never a frame in the anime that intentionally looks awful. It's a good performance for rookie director Yuki Watanabe and Yostar Pictures; the latter has been generating dazzling anime sequences and advertising films for Yostar games, but this animation demonstrates that it can handle TV series as well.
While not without flaws, Arknights: Prelude to Dawn is an excellent example of a mobile game anime adaptation. Its two sources
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