JINKI:EXTEND review: A fascinating story and deep character development

JINKI:EXTEND - JINKI EXTEND - Comprehensive evaluation and recommendation

Overview

"JINKI:EXTEND" is a TV anime series that aired on TV Asahi in 2005 and is based on the manga by Tsunashima Shiro that was serialized in Mag Garden's "Monthly Comic Blade". Directed by Murata Masahiko and animated by feel, it consists of 13 episodes. The story takes place in two locations: Venezuela in South America and Tokyo three years in the future, and depicts a fierce battle between the mysterious mechanical lifeforms "Ancient Jinki" and the opposing "Jinki".

■ Story

One day, Aoba, a girl who loves building plastic models, is suddenly kidnapped and taken to Venezuela in South America. This is the last uncharted territory on Earth, a cliff-like table mountain with over 100 cliffs of various sizes. In recent years, mysterious mechanical lifeforms called "Ancient Jinki" have appeared in this area, and are baring their fangs at humanity. To prevent their invasion, the government has organized a secret organization called Angel, which fights back with giant robot weapons called "Jinki". Before long, Aoba becomes the operator of the Jinki, and things start to move in a big way...!

And then, three years later in Tokyo. The Lost Life phenomenon, explosions large enough to wipe out entire towns, continues to occur all over the world. The truth is that an organization called Kyomu is using human machines to attack all over the world. Angel continues to pursue them in an attempt to stop them. Akao, a girl with no memories from before three years, decides to become a human machine pilot herself, fight, and protect people. Other girls who pilot human machines like Akao gather around her.

Aoba fights in Venezuela. Three years later, Akao fights in Tokyo. The stories of the two girls progress simultaneously and eventually converge into one mystery. Is a bright future or dark despair awaiting the girls after their fierce battle?

■Explanation

"JINKI:EXTEND" is a work that features high-quality robot action. The story progresses on two timelines and is told from the perspectives of two girls, Aoba and Akao. The stories of the two girls, who have different backgrounds - Aoba's growth and Akao's memory loss - intertwine and ultimately move towards a single conclusion, drawing viewers in. In addition, the giant robot battle scenes are drawn in detail, making it particularly appealing for fans of mechanics.

■Cast

• Aoba Tsuzaki/Fumiko Orikasa
• Akao Hiiragi/Yuna Inamura
• Ryohei Ogawara/Takuma Takewaka
• Shizuka Tsuzaki/Satsuki Yukino
• Minami Kosaka/Yoshino Takamori
• Rui Kisaka/Yukari Tamura
• Elnie Tachibana/Tomoko Kawakami
• Satsuki Kawamoto/Ai Nonaka
• Mel J. Vanette/Junko Minagawa

■ Main staff

• Original story by Shiro Tsunashima (serialized in Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Blade)
• Director: Masahiko Murata
• Series Composition: Toshihisa Arakawa
• Character design and chief animation director: Naoto Hosoda
• Mechanical design: Katsuyuki Tamura
• Art director: Naoko Kosakabe
• Color setting: Hiroshi Iwaida
• Director of photography: Yasunao Kondo
• Music by Kenji Kawai
• Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
• Planning: Yoshihiro Hosaka, Toshimichi Otsuki
• Producers: Shrek Hedwig, Shigeru Tateishi, Makoto Takigasaki
• Animation production: feel
• Produced by TV Asahi, Ganges, Angel Japan Branch

■ Main Characters

• Aoba Tsuzaki is a shy middle school student who loves robots and machines and enjoys building plastic models as a hobby. Without knowing why, she is taken away by her mother, Shizuka, to the Angel Base in Venezuela, South America. Although she is not good at sports and looks slender, she has a strong core and grows as the pilot of the humanoid Moribito No. 2.
• Hiiragi Akao A 16-year-old girl who lives at Hiiragi Shrine. She has lost her memories from three years ago, but she has a very kind heart and always thinks of others before herself. She gets caught up in the battle between Kyom and Angel, and is forced to pilot a human machine as its operator. In fact, she has a special ability that can stop the human machine from functioning in an instant.
• He is a combat member of Ogawara Ryohei Angel and the pilot of Moribito No. 2. He excels not only in piloting a humanoid machine, but also in all aspects of combat, including hand-to-hand combat, and his behavior, which never forgets that he is at war, may sometimes be seen as violent by others. At first, he and Aoba were at odds with each other, but as they fought together, a partnership blossomed and they developed a strong relationship of trust.
• Shizuka Tsuzaki is a member of Angel and Aoba's mother, but she left Aoba in her grandmother's care when she was young and has not been heard from for many years. She is the one who kidnapped Aoba under the pretense of getting her inheritance and brought her to a base in Venezuela.
• Captain of the Heavens, a retrieval unit of Angel's first squad, Minami Kosaka. Although she appears straightforward, she is caring and acts as a parent figure to Luna and a reliable older sister to Aoba. Three years after the battle in Venezuela, she met Akao while transporting Moribito No. 2 and immediately recognized his qualities as a pilot, so she scouted him for Angel.
• Rui Kousaka is a member of the Heavens Retrieval Squad, and has outstanding physical abilities. By the age of 11, she was already a fully-fledged robot pilot. Since losing her father, she has been under the care of her relative Minami. Although she has a competitive personality and never forgets to seek revenge even after losing a match, she can also show a sweet, honest side to those she gets along with.
• Elnie Tachibana A sporty girl who came to Tokyo with Moribito 2. Although she is only 15 years old, she has been working as a mechanic in Lupa Angel, Brazil, developing and maintaining human machines. She is charming in the imbalance between her innocence, enjoying playing soccer with the kids, and the researcher-like nature of her glasses and white coat.
• Satsuki Kawamoto is a small, quiet 13-year-old who is in fact the younger sister of Hiroshi Kawamoto, the developer and designer of humanoid robots. She came to Tokyo to meet her brother and encountered a battle between Kyom and Angel, and was saved by both soldiers, which led her to join Angel. She is good at cooking and doing laundry, and looks cute in her everyday maid-style kimono.
• Mel J. Vannett is a cool 18-year-old girl who stole the artificial humanoid Schneider Touja from Angel and has been fighting Kyom all by herself. Much of her background and history is shrouded in mystery, but she is said to be the sole survivor of a clan that was once wiped out by Kyom, and has vowed to take revenge on Kyom.
• Genta Ogawara is the father of Ryohei and the senior pilot of Moribito No. 2. He is a veteran among veterans in combat and is loved by everyone as a father figure, but his physical strength and fighting ability are still not inferior to those of the younger generation.
• Hiroshi Kawamoto is Angel's mechanic and is responsible for the maintenance and development of the humanoid robots. He is a gentle young man who respects Aoba's abilities as a pilot and supports her growth.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1. / The Battlefield the Girl Saw (2005/01/05)
• Episode 2. After the Tears (2005/01/12)
• Episode 3. / Quality and Quantity (2005/01/19)
• Episode 4.／Face-to-Face (2005/01/26)
• Episode 5. / Enemies and Allies (2005/02/02)
• Episode 6./Black Pilot (2005/02/09)
• Episode 7. / The End of Ambition (2005/02/16)
• Episode 8./ Silver Wing Visitor (2005/02/23)
• Episode 9./Winner of the Game (2005/03/02)
• Episode 10./Red and Black (2005/03/09)
• Episode11./Family (2005/03/16)
• Episode 12./Blue and Red (2005/03/23)
• Episode 13./Then (※OVA) (2006/02/22)

■ Related works

• JINKI:EXTEND OVA

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1
  FLY AWAY
  Lyricist: Salia
  Composition: Salia, shin-go
  Arrangement: unicorn table
  Song: Unicorn Table
• ED1
  The answer called the future Lyrics by atsuko
  Composition: atsuko, KATSU
  Arrangement: KATSU
  Song: angela

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"JINKI: EXTEND" is a wonderful fusion of mechanical action and human drama. It depicts the growth and struggles of two girls, Aoba and Akao, and leaves a deep impression on viewers. Aoba's story of growth is particularly moving, and her growth as a human machine pilot is not to be missed. Akao's memory loss and subsequent battle are also intriguing, and the climax where the two stories intersect is a masterpiece.

The mechanics are very well designed and the battle scenes are very impressive. Kenji Kawai's music also adds to the atmosphere of the film, making the viewing experience even more enjoyable. The theme songs "FLY AWAY" and "Mirai to Yuu Na no Kotae" are also wonderful songs that reflect the theme of the film.

This work is recommended not only for those who like mechanical action, but also for those who enjoy human drama and stories of growth. In particular, the story of Aoba and Akao will make you think deeply about the themes of hope and despair, growth and struggle. Also, the OVA version "Sorekara" is a must-see, as this episode, which depicts the continuation of the TV series, is an essential conclusion to the story.

Overall, "JINKI: EXTEND" is a well-balanced, well-watched work that combines mechanical action with human drama. It provides viewers with deep emotion and excitement, and has the appeal to make you want to watch it again and again. Please give it a watch.