Cluster Edge review: A fascinating story and character depth

CLUSTER EDGE - In-depth review and comprehensive guide

■Overview of the work

Cluster Edge is an original anime series produced by Sunrise that aired on TV Tokyo from October 2005 to March 2006. The 25-episode series is set in a post-war world 30 years ago, and follows the growth and adventures of boys attending the prestigious school Cluster EA. It is directed by Ikeda Sei, based on the original work by Yatate Hajime and Ikeda Sei, with character design by Hishinuma Yoshihito and mechanic design by Yamane Kimitoshi.

■ Story

Thirty years ago, a great war broke out in the world, and the Grian Republic emerged as a military nation, occupying the Principality of Rubellus. Using the former site of the Principality of Rubellus as a foothold, the Grian Republic is advancing its military intervention in neighboring countries, including the Republic of Regland. Even in this situation, the prestigious school "Cluster EA", located on the former site of the Principality of Rubellus, has been allowed to continue operating thanks to the efforts of its graduates. Students between the ages of 12 and 17 are enrolled, and lead a free and peaceful school life in an isolated world, but the influence of the adult world outside is beginning to cast a shadow over the school's interior.

■Explanation

"Cluster Edge" is a romantic action fantasy set in a parallel world reminiscent of early 20th century Europe, where a group of boys are led by the mysterious boy Agate to confront adult society. Agate Fluorite transfers to Cluster EA, a prestigious school attended by the sons of distinguished families from around the world. His unconventional behavior and innocent smile bring a breath of fresh air to the hearts of top student Beryl and his classmate Fon, who are bored with their predetermined futures. However, Agate has a secret about his birth that even he doesn't know, and a mysterious power that allows him to create "miracles."

■Cast

• Agate Fluorite - Hiro Shimono
• Beryl Jasper - Jun Fukuyama
• Von Aina Sulfur - Daisuke Kishio
• Chrome - Hiroyuki Yoshino
• Karls (Chalcedony Renielle) - Tsuyoshi Inoue
• Emma (Emmatheite Ramsbeck) - Hidenobu Kiuchi
• Vesuvius Valentino - Mitsuki Saiga

■ Main staff

• Original work - Hajime Yatate, Sei Ikeda
• Director - Ikeda Sei
• Series Director - Hitoyuki Matsui
• Series Composition - Hiroshi Ohnogi
• Main character original design - Komatsuda Wan
• Character design - Yoshihito Hishinuma
• Mechanical design - Kimitoshi Yamane
• Art setting - Hajime Sato
• Art director: Yukiko Ogawa
• Color design - Yumiko Katayama, Misako Akama
• Director of photography - Lao Ping Ying
• Edited by Yukiko Nojiri
• Music - Takayuki Negishi
• Sound Director - Eriko Kimura
• Producers: Hideyuki Tomioka, Isao Minegishi, Junka Kobayashi
• Produced by: Sunrise, Bandai Visual

■ Main Characters

• Agate Fluorite - The protagonist. 15 years old. A bright and innocent transfer student. She uses her mysterious powers to create many "miracles." She is unaware of the secrets of her birth and her abilities.
• Beryl Jasper - 15 years old. A cool-headed, excellent student who excels in both academics and sports. Deep down, she calmly criticizes and rebels against adult society. She comes from a good family in the Republic of Regland.
• Von Eina Sulfur - 15 years old. Agate's classmate. The heir to a wealthy family who was raised without any hardships. He is interested in Agate, a transfer student with a mysterious charm. He is from the Kingdom of Phosgen.
• Chrome - 15 years old. The final production android. He works with other androids his age in the "Chrome Gang." He looks up to Karls as his older brother.
• Chalcedony Leniel - 23 years old. A young man from Cluster Academy. He left the academy and entered adult society to fight for the human rights of artificial soldiers. He raised Chrome as his "younger brother."
• Ematite Ramsbeck - 23 years old. A former classmate of Karls. Currently a teacher at Cluster Academy. Her family owns a weapons development company that made its fortune by manufacturing artificial weapons.
• Vesuvius Valentino - A former classmate of Karls. Currently an intelligence officer in the Grian Republic military. Has had a strong rivalry with Karls since their school days. Targets Agate, a new type of artificial body with mysterious powers.

■ Main robot items

• Agate Plane - Agate handmade plane.
• High-Speed ​​Fighter - Karls piloted this to escape from the Grian army, but was shot down.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1 - A Boy Named Agate (2005/10/04)
• Episode 2 - Beryl's Sword (2005/10/11)
• Episode 3 - Cold Bullet (2005/10/18)
• Episode 4 - The Jet Black Chrome Gang Appears!! (2005/10/25)
• Episode 5 - The Miracle Race (2005/11/01)
• Episode 6 - The Professor and Fon (2005/11/08)
• Episode 7 - Journey to the Past (11/15/2005)
• Episode 8 - Student Council Election (2005/11/22)
• Episode 9 - Ghost of the Mansion (2005/11/29)
• Episode 10 - The Path of Destiny (2005/12/06)
• Episode 11 - Each Person's Feelings (2005/12/13)
• Episode 12 - Agate's Cry (2005/12/20)
• Episode 13 - What Karls Left Behind (2005/12/27)
• Episode 14 - Wind to Tomorrow (2006/01/10)
• Episode 15 - Letter to Emma (2006/01/17)
• Episode 16 - Chrome and Agate (2006/01/24)
• Episode 17 - Frightened Eyes (2006/01/31)
• Episode 18 - Under the Wings (2006/02/07)
• Episode 19 - Bonds to the Sky (2006/02/14)
• Episode 20 - Wandering Artificial Soldier (2006/02/21)
• Episode 21 - Time to Decide (2006/02/28)
• Episode 22 - Sad Anger (2006/03/07)
• Episode 23 - Will (2006/03/14)
• Episode 24 - Prelude to Ruin (2006/03/21)
• Episode 25 - The Fire of Judgment, and Tomorrow (2006/03/28)

■ Related works

• CLUSTER EDGE Secret Episode

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1 - FLY HIGH
  • Lyricist: Keiji Shiina
  • Composer - Keiji Shiina, Takao Nagatani
  • Arrangement - Keiji Shiina, Takao Nagatani
  • Song - SURFACE
• OP2 - Our Miracle
  • Lyricist: Hiroko Koma
  • Composer: DAITA
  • Arranged by: Shinya Saito
  • Sung by Cluster'S (Hiro Shimono, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Kishio, Hiroyuki Yoshino)
• ED1 - The Light Called You
  • Lyricist: Yu Ishii
  • Composer - Shinya Saito
  • Arranged by: Shinya Saito
  • Sung by Cluster'S (Hiro Shimono, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Kishio, Hiroyuki Yoshino)
• ED2 - Bud of Heart
  • Lyricist: Keiji Shiina
  • Composer - Keiji Shiina, Takao Nagatani
  • Arrangement - Keiji Shiina, Takao Nagatani
  • Song - SURFACE

■ In-depth review

"Cluster Edge" is an original anime series produced by Sunrise, and its unique world view and character growth are appealing. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and highlights of the work, as well as recommended points.

Worldview and setting

The setting of "Cluster Edge" is the world after the great war 30 years ago. In this world, the Grian Republic has emerged as a military nation and occupied the Principality of Rubellus. Using the former site of the Principality of Rubellus as a foothold, the Grian Republic is advancing its military intervention in neighboring countries, including the Republic of Regland. Even under these circumstances, the prestigious school "Cluster EA" located on the former site of the Principality of Rubellus has been allowed to continue to exist thanks to the efforts of its graduates. Students between the ages of 12 and 17 are enrolled and lead a free and peaceful school life in an isolated world, but the influence of the outside adult society is beginning to cast a shadow over the school's interior.

The setting of this work is a parallel world reminiscent of early 20th century Europe, and themes such as war and peace, freedom and oppression are depicted. In particular, the existence of android soldiers and their human rights issues are important themes in the work. While the Grian Republic mass-produces android soldiers and strengthens its military power by developing new weapons, there is also a movement to protect the human rights of the android soldiers, depicting the contradictions and conflicts in society.

Character Appeal

Each character in Cluster Edge is unique and charming. The main character, Agate Fluorite, is a bright and innocent transfer student who uses her mysterious powers to perform a number of "miracles." The central theme of the story is Agate's growth, who is unaware of the secrets of her birth and her abilities. Agate's unconventional behavior and innocent smile bring a breath of fresh air to the hearts of top student Beryl and her classmate Fon, who are bored with their predetermined futures.

Beryl Jasper is a cool-headed, top student who excels in both academics and sports. Deep down, Beryl calmly criticizes and rebels against adult society, and comes from a good family in the Republic of Regland, and is torn between her position and ideals. Von Eina Sulfur is Agate's classmate, and is the heir to a very wealthy family who was raised without hardships. Von, who is originally from the Kingdom of Phosgen, is interested in Agate, a transfer student with a mysterious charm, and this gives him an opportunity to reexamine his own values ​​and way of life.

Chrom is the final android produced, and acts together with other androids his age in the "Chrome Squad." Chrom, who regards Karls as his older brother, is searching for his own meaning in life as an android and his future. Chalcedony Reyniel is a young man who graduated from Cluster Academy, and left the academy to enter adult society in order to campaign for the human rights of androids. Karls, who is raising Chrom as his "younger brother," is working on the human rights issues of androids while also coming to terms with his own past and future.

Ematite Ramsbeck was a former classmate of Karls and is currently a teacher at Cluster Academy. Her family owns a weapons development company that made its fortune by manufacturing artificial weapons, and Emma is torn between her position and her own beliefs. Vesubia Valentino was a former classmate of Karls and is currently an intelligence officer in the Grian Republic military. Vesubia has harbored a strong rivalry with Karls since their school days, and she has her sights set on Agate, a new artificial form with mysterious powers.

Story Development

The story of Cluster Edge begins with Agate transferring to the school. Agate's unconventional behavior and innocent smile bring a breath of fresh air to the hearts of Beryl, an honor student, and his classmates Fon, who are bored with their predetermined futures. However, Agate has a secret about his birth that even he doesn't know, and a mysterious power that allows him to create "miracles." This secret and power are at the heart of the story, and the boys' growth and adventures are depicted.

The story depicts themes such as freedom and oppression, and war and peace, through the contrast between school life and adult society. In particular, the existence of android soldiers and their human rights issues are important themes in the work. While the Grian Republic mass-produces android soldiers and strengthens its military power by developing new weapons, there is also a movement to protect the human rights of the android soldiers, depicting the contradictions and conflicts in society.

While the story unfolds in different episodes, there is a consistent theme throughout the series. Episodes 1 to 25 depict the boys' growth and adventures, and the final episode depicts their hopes for the future. In particular, the episode in which the secret of Agate's birth and the power of the "miracle" are revealed is the climax of the story and leaves a strong impression on viewers.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of Cluster Edge are distinctive for their character and mechanic designs. The character designs are by Yoshihito Hishinuma, and express the individuality and charm of each character. The mechanic designs are by Kimitoshi Yamane, and the designs of the artificial weapons and fighter planes are realistic and powerful. The art setting is by Hajime Sato, and the art direction is by Yukiko Ogawa, depicting an otherworldly atmosphere reminiscent of early 20th century Europe. The color design is by Yumiko Katayama and Misako Akama, and the beauty of the colors enhances the appeal of the work. The cinematographer is Hideo Oihira, and the editing is by Yukiko Nojiri, and the flow and rhythm of the images draw the viewer in.

The music is by Takayuki Negishi, and the background music expresses the atmosphere and theme of the work, making an impression. In particular, the theme song is an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. The opening theme song "FLY HIGH" is sung by SURFACE, and the lyrics and melody expressing the adventure and hope of the work are impressive. The opening theme song "Bokutachi no Kiseki" is sung by Cluster'S (Hiro Shimono, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Kishio, Hiroyuki Yoshino), and the lyrics and melody expressing the boys' growth and friendship are moving. The ending theme song "Kimi to Iu Na no Hikari" is sung by Cluster'S, and the lyrics and melody expressing the boys' hope for the future are heartwarming. The ending theme song "Kokoro no Tsubomi" is sung by SURFACE, and the lyrics and melody expressing the theme and atmosphere of the work are impressive.

■ Recommendation points

Although "Cluster Edge" is an original anime series, it is an attractive work with a unique world view and character growth. Below, we will explain the recommended points in detail.

A unique worldview

The world of Cluster Edge is set in a parallel world reminiscent of early 20th century Europe, and depicts themes such as war and peace, freedom and oppression. In particular, the existence of android soldiers and the issue of their human rights are important themes in the work. While the Grian Republic mass-produces android soldiers and strengthens its military power by developing new weapons, there is also a movement to protect the human rights of the android soldiers, depicting the contradictions and conflicts in society. This unique worldview will give viewers a fresh sense of surprise and emotion.

Charming characters

Each character in Cluster Edge is unique and charming. The main character, Agate Fluorite, is a bright and innocent transfer student who uses her mysterious powers to perform a number of "miracles." The central theme of the series is Agate's growth, who is unaware of the secrets of her birth and her abilities. Agate's unconventional behavior and innocent smile breathe new life into the hearts of top student Beryl and her classmate Fon, who are bored with their predetermined futures. The appeal of these characters evokes empathy and emotion in viewers.

An inspiring story

The story of Cluster Edge begins with Agate transferring to the school. Agate's unconventional behavior and innocent smile bring a breath of fresh air to the hearts of Beryl, an honor student, and his classmate Fon, who are bored with their predetermined futures. However, Agate has a secret about his birth that even he does not know, and a mysterious power to create "miracles". This secret and power are at the center of the story, and the boys' growth and adventures are depicted. The story unfolds in a different way in each episode, but there is a consistent theme throughout. In particular, the episode in which the secret of Agate's birth and the power of his "miracle" are revealed is the climax of the story and leaves a strong impression on the viewer. Such a moving story will deeply move and evoke empathy in the viewer.

Beautiful images and music

The visuals of Cluster Edge are characterized by their character and mechanic designs. The character designs are by Yoshihito Hishinuma, and each character's personality and charm are expressed. The mechanic designs are by Kimitoshi Yamane, and the designs of the artificial weapons and fighter planes are realistic and powerful. The art setting is by Hajime Sato, and the art direction is by Yukiko Ogawa, and the atmosphere of another world reminiscent of early 20th century Europe is depicted. The color design is by Yumiko Katayama and Misako Akama, and the beauty of the colors enhances the appeal of the work. The director of photography is Hideo Oihira, and the editing is by Yukiko Nojiri, and the flow and rhythm of the images draw the viewer in. The music is by Takayuki Negishi, and the background music that expresses the atmosphere and theme of the work is impressive. In particular, the theme song is an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. Such beautiful images and music give viewers deep emotion and empathy.

Conclusion

"Cluster Edge" is an original anime series produced by Sunrise, and its unique worldview and character growth make it a fascinating work. The work depicts the growth and adventures of young boys while addressing themes such as war and peace, freedom and oppression, providing viewers with fresh surprises and excitement. In particular, the episode in which the secret of Agate's birth and the power of the "miracle" are revealed is the climax of the story and leaves a strong impression on viewers. The beautiful visuals and music also enhance the appeal of the work, giving viewers deep emotion and sympathy. Please watch this work and experience its charm and excitement for yourself.