The appeal and reviews of "Salty Ray": A moving story and deep characters

"Salty Ray": A story of a girl torn between machine and human

"Salty Ray" is a TV anime series that aired from 2005 to 2006, and was produced jointly by two animation production companies, GONZO and AIC. This work is known as a science fiction anime that skillfully combines human drama and action while depicting a profound theme that questions the boundary between machines and humans. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of the work, as well as recommended points.

■Overview of the work

"Salty Ray" has an original story for the anime, and the original idea was created by Shuzilow.HA and GONZO. It was directed by Hiraike Yoshimasa, with series composition and scriptwriting by Kimura Nobuyuki, and character design and general animation direction by Shuzilow.HA. It was broadcast on TV Asahi from October 6, 2005 to March 30, 2006, with a total of 25 episodes. However, one of the 25 episodes was not broadcast on TV for the first time, and an extra episode was included in the packaged version released on July 26, 2006.

■ Story

The story is set in a city where a major disaster called "Blastfall" occurred 12 years ago. The main character, Salty, is an innocent girl whose entire body is made of machinery. She meets Roy, a bounty hunter, and they begin living together. Together, Salty meets various people, learns about friendship and family ties, and searches for who she is. However, there is a big secret hidden in her existence, and as that secret is revealed, the people around her become embroiled in a huge conspiracy.

■ Characters

Salty (voice: Saito Momoko) is a girl whose entire body is made of machinery, and she has incredible physical abilities. She meets Roy (voice: Nakata Jouji) and grows as a person as they live together. Roy is a man who quit the police force to become a bounty hunter in order to search for his missing daughter, and after meeting Salty, he begins a new path in life. Other unique characters who add color to the story include Rose (voice: Asano Masumi), a young thief; Miranda (voice: Ohara Sayaka), the head of the bounty hunter's office; and her daughter Kasha (voice: Kuwatani Natsuko).

■Worldview and setting

In the world of Solty Ray, the city's residents are managed by a "registered citizen system," and are divided into "registered citizens" who have ID cards and "unregistered citizens" who do not. A huge conglomerate called the RUC controls the city's main industries, and is particularly known for "Resemble Technology" (mechanical prosthetic technology). In addition, unique settings such as the "Aurora Shell" that covers the sky and the "High-Altitude Regulation Law" add depth to the story.

■ Evaluation and appeal

By depicting the boundary between humans and machines, "Salty Ray" raises philosophical questions about what it means to be human and what it means to live. Through Salty's growth and the changes in her relationships, viewers can look at the world from her perspective. The beautiful visuals and detailed world setting, jointly produced by GONZO and AIC, are also a major attraction. In particular, the purity and strength of the character Salty has captured the hearts of many viewers.

The story is simple at first glance, but each episode has a different theme, and the big mysteries and conspiracies unfold throughout, drawing viewers in. The character growth and changes in relationships are carefully depicted, making it easy to empathize with the characters, which has earned it praise.

■ Recommended points

"Salty Ray" is recommended not only for those who like science fiction anime, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama and character growth. In particular, the following points are attractive:

• Profound themes : The film explores profound themes such as the boundary between humans and machines, the meaning of life, and family ties.
• Beautiful visuals : This joint production by GONZO and AIC features beautiful visuals and a detailed world setting.
• Character Growth : The growth of characters, including Salty, and the changes in their relationships are carefully depicted.
• Suspenseful storyline : Each episode explores a different theme, with big mysteries and conspiracies unfolding throughout.

■ Related works and media mix

"Salty Ray" has also been made into an OVA, allowing you to enjoy an even deeper story. The theme songs and insert songs are also popular, and the opening theme "clover" (sung by meg rock) and the ending theme "Float ~Sora no Kanata de~" (sung by Omi Tomoe) are especially loved by many fans.

Conclusion

"Salty Ray" is a work that skillfully combines human drama and action while pursuing a profound theme by depicting the boundary between machines and humans. With beautiful visuals, a detailed world setting, character growth and changes in relationships, it is a work that is highly recommended for fans of science fiction anime and human drama. Through Salty's purity and strength, viewers will be able to reexamine their own way of life and relationships.