The appeal and reviews of "Dragonaut: The Resonance": A moving story and deep characters

The appeal and reviews of Dragonauts - The Resonance

"Dragonaut: The Resonance" is an anime series that aired on TV Tokyo from 2007 to 2008, and was animated by GONZO. Set on Earth in the near future, this space fantasy adventure depicts the battle between humanity and the giant lifeform "Thanatos" that came from outer space, and their coexistence with the space creatures known as dragons. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reviews of this work.

Story and setting

The story revolves around Kamishina Jin, who miraculously survived the crash of a moon shuttle two years ago. Despite being criticized and looked at with curiosity by the public, Jin happens to witness the scene of a serial murder case, where he meets a girl named Toa. Toa is an original dragon sent by Thanatos, and their encounter will greatly change their destinies.

One of the attractions of this work is the worldview of the universe and dragons depicted on an epic scale. The setting, in which a gigantic lifeform called Thanatos destroys Pluto and approaches Earth, provides viewers with tension and thrills. In addition, the concept of "resonance" between dragons and humans is an important element in creating a deep human drama. Through resonance, dragons react to the subconscious of humans and communicate with them by taking on the form of humans called communicators. This setting delves deeper into the relationship between humans and dragons, adding depth to the story.

character

The characters in "Dragonaut: The Resonance" are all unique and fascinating. The main character, Kamishina Jin, is a lonely boy who has lost his family, but has a strong will to pursue his love for Toa. Toa is a mysterious girl who comes face to face with her own mission after meeting Jin, and her growth and her relationship with Jin are at the heart of the story.

Other characters, such as Tachibana Kazuki, Jin's childhood friend, and Raina Cromwell, leader of the Lindblum Unit, each have their own background and conflicts, enriching the story. In particular, Sieglinde Baumgard's tsundere personality and Souya Akira's boyish charm leave a strong impression on viewers. The dragons also have their own abilities and personalities, and are depicted growing through their relationships with humans.

Visuals and actions

There are many noteworthy aspects to the visuals of this work. The 3D action created by GONZO depicts the dragon's flight and battle scenes realistically and dynamically. In particular, the scene in which the dragon actualizes and appears in its gigantic form has a strong visual impact and has the power to draw the viewer in. In addition, the depiction of the near-future Earth and outer space is also beautiful, enriching the worldview of the work.

The character designs are also attractive, and the designs by Makoto Uno express the individuality of each character. In particular, the dragon's design, by Junya Ishigaki, is a mysterious and powerful figure. These visual elements have a major impact on the progression of the story and play an important role in stirring the emotions of the viewer.

Music and theme song

Musically, Dragonaut: The Resonance is also an excellent work. The opening theme, "Perfect Blue," is a magnificent piece that symbolizes the theme of the work, with ATSUMI's powerful voice and composition by Jazzin' park. The ending themes, "Rain Of Love" and "FIGHT OR FLIGHT," are also emotionally rich songs that match the respective scenes and resonate with the hearts of viewers. Yamashita Kosuke's background music also plays a role in enhancing the tension and emotion as the story unfolds.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Dragonaut: The Resonance" is a work that combines a grand worldview, deep human drama, and dynamic action scenes. The story unfolds unpredictably at times, and there are many developments that surprise the viewer. In addition, the character growth and changes in relationships are carefully depicted, making it easy to empathize with the characters.

However, some viewers have commented that the story development is a bit scattered. In particular, in the later episodes, it has been pointed out that multiple subplots progress simultaneously, making it easy to lose track of the overall story. In addition, there are scenes where the characters' actions and emotional changes seem abrupt, which may leave some viewers feeling uneasy.

Nevertheless, this work is an ambitious work that pioneered a new genre of fantasy about space and dragons, and its challenging attempt is highly praised. In particular, the theme of the coexistence of dragons and humans symbolizes the issues of diversity and coexistence in modern society, and delivers a profound message to the viewer.

Related works and recommendations

There are unaired episodes related to "Dragonaut: The Resonance." These episodes delve deeper into the background of the story and the details of the characters, and are definitely worth watching to gain a deeper understanding of the work. Other anime works produced by GONZO also have many similarities in terms of visuals and storytelling, so are recommended for those who are interested.

To enjoy this work, you can refer to other anime with space or fantasy themes. For example, "Macross F" and the "Gundam Series" have a common appeal with "Dragonaut: The Resonance" as works that depict grand scale and deep human drama. In addition, works set in alternate worlds or fantasy, such as "No Game No Life" and "Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World", also have something in common in that they depict character growth and changes in human relationships.

Conclusion

"Dragonaut: The Resonance" is a challenging anime that combines a spectacular worldview, deep human drama, and dynamic action scenes. Some viewers may feel uncomfortable with the story development and the characters' actions, but the ambitious attempt and themes are highly praised. If you love space and fantasy, I highly recommend you watch it at least once.