Casshern Sins review: A moving story and beautiful visuals

Casshern Sins - A story of deep sorrow and rebirth

"Casshan Sins" is a TV anime series that aired from October 1, 2008 to July 4, 2009. It is a completely new series based on Tatsunoko Production's "Neo-Human Casshern". Directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi and produced by Madhouse, it tells the story of Casshern's sadness and rebirth. The series was available on various broadcasting stations such as UHF, Kids Station, Gyao!, and Show Time. It consists of 24 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and is a work that deeply moves viewers and leaves them thinking.

■ Story

When humans were ruled by robots created by humans, a girl named Luna appeared. People called her "the sun called the moon" and asked for her salvation. However, Breaking Boss, who ruled the world, feared for her existence and ordered Casshern, Dio, and Leda to kill Luna. Luna died at the hands of Casshern, and the world began to move towards "destruction". Due to Luna's hidden secret, the world fell into a state of "destruction" that could not be regenerated over the course of hundreds of years. The bodies of robots, which were thought to be eternal, could no longer be regenerated by replacing parts, and they began to die due to corrosion and other factors. Buildings could no longer maintain their shape and collapsed or deformed, and most of the land was transformed into a deserted wasteland.

Meanwhile, Casshern, who had been missing since killing Luna, appears. He has lost his memory and doesn't know who he is... However, there are people who call out his name and attack him. This is where the story begins.

■Explanation

The world is in a state known as "abolition." The bodies of robots, which once ruled the world and were thought to be eternal, can no longer be regenerated by replacing parts, and death comes. Meanwhile, the missing Casshern appears. He has lost his memory and does not know who he is... However, there are people who call out his name and attack him. This is where the story begins. A completely new series based on Tatsunoko Production's "Neo-Human Casshern." Director Yamauchi Shigeyasu's moody direction expresses the sadness that Casshern carries. The handsome characters drawn by Magoshi Yoshihiko also add elegance to the story.

■Cast

• Casshern/Toru Furuya
• Crown/Eikai Miyahara
• Apple / Yuko Minaguchi
• Oji/Cho
• Luna/Akiko Yajima
• Dio/Tomoyuki Morikawa
• Leda/Mami Koyama
• Breaking Boss/Kenji Utsumi

■ Main staff

• Original work: Tatsunoko Production
• Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
• Planning: Hiroki Narushima (Tatsunoko Productions), Masao Maruyama (Madhouse)
• Executive producers: Kenichi Komori, Akihiro Kawamura, Jungo Maruta, Akihiro Obara, Shuichiro Tanaka
• Producers: Hiroyuki Omori, Yasuhiro Uemama
• Series Composition: Yasuko Kobayashi
• Character design: Yoshihiko Magoe
• Director of photography: Kohei Tanada
• Edited by Yoshiko Kimura
• Art Director: Lee Bonseon
• Color design: Kunio Tsujita
• Music by Kaoru Wada
• Recorded by: Kimitaka Kawasaki
• Sound effects/Toru Noguchi
• Selection by Makiko Kayahara
• Special effects: Team Taniguchi (Kumiko Taniguchi, Ayumi Arahata)
• Recording studio/Taback
• Recording assistant: Naomi Hayashi
• Sound Production: Toei Academy
• Video editing: Makoto Takagi (Sony PCL), Yoko Mikami (Sony PCL)
• Offline editing assistant / Tsukato Mariko
• Publicity Producer/Mika Saiki
• Promotional cooperation: Katsunori Odagiri
• Manga comic series/Monthly Comic Rush (JIVE)
• Associate Producers: Shoichi Yoshida, Jin Kawamura, Satoshi Ide, Takashi Murayama
• Assistant Director, Setting Production: Naomi Nakayama
• Production desk: Takuya Kado
• Animation producer/Tsutomu Fujio
• Animation Production: Madhouse
• Produced by Casshern Sins Project

■ Main Characters

• Casshern is the only man in the apocalyptic world known as "Ruin" who has a body that can regenerate. He once killed Luna on the orders of Breaking Boss, and then fell unconscious. When he wakes up, he has no memory and doesn't even know his own name. He is targeted by unknown individuals, but he has the power to destroy everything. When he sees the world for the first time in a long time, he finds it in the midst of "Ruin," and is tormented by the realization that he was the one who brought about that "Ruin."
• Ryuzu: A female robot who stalks Casshern. She blames Casshern for killing Luna and destroying the world, and lashes out at him with hatred.
• Ringo: A cheerful and innocent girl who lives in a world of destruction. She is interested in Casshern, who will not perish. Although she fears Casshern, who cruelly destroys robots, she gradually opens up to his kindness.
• Oji A robot repair technician who travels the world. He is also the guardian of the apples. He hates Casshern, but seems to know about his past.
• Luna A mysterious girl. She was once called "the sun called the moon" and people sought her help, but she was killed by Casshern. Now that the world has become "destroyed," people have appeared who seek her again, even though she was supposed to be dead.
• Dio A man with the same abilities as Casshern. He plans to stop the "destruction" by uncovering Casshern's secret and take control of the world. To do so, he tries to organize an army of robots just like before. He is extremely jealous of Casshern.
• Reda Casshern is a female robot created for the same purpose as Dio. She will stop at nothing to achieve her ambitions. She tries to organize a robot army together with Dio, but what is her true intention?
• Breaking Boss: He was once a king who led the robots and ruled the world, but the world became "ruined," and he changed his name and wanders the wilderness. He believes that he, who ordered the murder of Luna, is also responsible for the "ruined" world.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: In the End of the World (2008/10/01)
• Episode 2: The world is filled with cries of doom (2008/10/08)
• Episode 3: At the End of Suffering (2008/10/15)
• Episode 4: Angel of Destruction (2008/10/22)
• Episode 5: The Man Who Killed the Sun, Called the Moon (2008/10/29)
• Episode 6: Reunion with Fate (2008/11/05)
• Episode 7: The Woman in the Tall Tower (2008/11/12)
• Episode 8: Anthem of Hope (2008/11/19)
• Episode 9: Flowers Blooming in the Valley of Destruction (2008/11/26)
• Episode 10: A man trapped in the past (2008/12/03)
• Episode 11: Pursuing one's mission (2008/12/10)
• Episode 12: Coloring the Time We Live (2008/12/17)
• Episode 13: The past is before our eyes (2008/12/24)
• Episode 14: The Truth Shines in the Darkness (2009/01/07)
• Episode 15: Death God Doon (2009/01/14)
• Episode 16: For the Power of Belief (2009/01/21)
• Episode 17: Glass Cradle (2009/01/28)
• Episode 18: The Time to Live (2009/02/04)
• Episode 19: Believe in the flowers that live in your heart (2009/02/11)
• Episode 20: For Whom Do Flowers Bloom? (2009/02/18)
• Episode 21: Paradise of Disappointment (2009/02/25)
• Episode 22: Droplets called eternity (2009/03/04)
• Episode 23: The Returnees (2009/03/11)
• Episode 24: To the Blooming Flower (2009/03/18)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1
  Blue Flower Lyrics: Masayuki Takemori Music: Masao Akashi, Color Bottle Arrangement: Masao Akashi Singer: Color Bottle
• ED1
  Period: 1-12
  reason
  Lyrics: Minako Kawae Composition: Minako Kawae Arrangement: HΛL
  Song: KΛNΛ
• ED2
  Period/13
  Blue Shadow Lyrics: Masanori Sera Music: Masanori Sera Arrangement: Yoshiemon Otoya Sung by: Yoshiemon Otoya (Yoshiemon Otoya & Yoshio Nomura Plus)
• ED3
  Period: 14-23
  Light and Shadow Lyrics: Kuno Shinji Music: Kuno Shinji Arrangement: Kuno Shinji, Tanatani Yuichi Singer: Kuno Shinji
• IN1
  Period: August 8, 17, 19
  A Path
  Lyrics by Eikai Miyahara Composition by Eikai Miyahara and Takenori Gushi Vocals by Eikai Miyahara
• IN2
  Period: August, 18
  SKY
  Lyrics: Eikai Miyahara Composition: Eikai Miyahara Singer: Eikai Miyahara
• IN3
  Period: 11th and 12th
  Blue Shadow Lyrics: Masanori Sera Music: Masanori Sera Arrangement: Yoshiemon Otoya Sung by: Yoshiemon Otoya (Yoshiemon Otoya & Yoshio Nomura Plus)

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Casshan Sins" has attracted many viewers with its unique worldview and deep themes. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world known as "Ruin," and depicts Casshern's suffering and journey of rebirth. Director Shigeyasu Yamauchi's moody direction realistically portrays Casshern's sadness, moving viewers to the heart. Additionally, Yoshihiko Magoe's character designs match the atmosphere of the story, and the visual beauty also enhances the appeal of the work.

Casshern's character begins with no memory and grows through his journey to find who he is. His suffering and process of rebirth evoke deep empathy from the viewer. Sub-characters such as Ryuzu, Ringo, and Oji also have their own backgrounds and feelings, adding depth to the story. In particular, Ringo's innocence and trust in Casshern give the viewer a sense of hope.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme, "Aoi Hana," expresses the melancholy of the story with the voices of Color Bottle and music composed by Masao Akashi. The ending themes, "Reason" and "Hikari to Kage," also play a role in highlighting the emotions of each episode. Additionally, the insert songs, "A Path" and "SKY," have beautiful melodies that symbolize Casshern's journey and resonate in the hearts of viewers.

■ Recommendation points

"Casshan Sins" is a work with deep themes, beautiful visuals, and a moving story. In particular, the following points make it worthy of recommendation:

• Deep themes : Casshern's journey to find rebirth in a post-apocalyptic world explores universal themes such as life and death, hope and despair, which invite deep reflection and inspire viewers to question the meaning of their own existence.
• Beautiful visuals : Yoshihiko Umakoshi's character designs and Madhouse's animations are beautifully crafted to complement the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the depiction of the desolate world creates a visual impact.
• A moving story : Casshern's suffering and journey of rebirth deeply touches the audience. In particular, his interactions with Ringo and his conflict with Ryuzu are important elements that enhance the emotional impact of the story.
• Musical Appeal : The opening, ending, and insert songs all play a role in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the colored bottle's "Blue Flower" is a beautiful melody that symbolizes Casshern's sadness.

■Comparison with related works

"Casshern Sins" is based on Tatsunoko Production's "Neo-Human Casshern," but as a completely new series, it develops its own worldview and story. "Neo-Human Casshern" was broadcast in 1973 and tells the story of Casshern's fight to put down a robot rebellion. On the other hand, "Casshern Sins" depicts Casshern's journey to seek rebirth in an apocalyptic world, and has a very different theme and atmosphere.

"Casshern Sins" is also compared to other works set in a post-apocalyptic world. For example, "Evangelion" and "Ghost in the Shell" are also known for their deep themes and beautiful visuals. However, "Casshern Sins" depicts the post-apocalyptic world from a unique perspective that is different from those works, providing viewers with a new sense of excitement.

■ How to watch and recommended episodes

"Casshern Sins" can be viewed on broadcasting stations such as UHF, Kids Station, Gyao!, and Show Time. DVDs and Blu-rays are also available, and you can enjoy all episodes by purchasing them. In addition, it may be available on streaming services, so please check.

The following episodes are particularly memorable:

• Episode 1, "In the End of the World" : This episode depicts the beginning of Casshern's journey, and clearly shows the story's worldview and theme.
• Episode 5, "The Man Who Killed the Sun and Called the Moon" : This is an important episode in which Casshern's past and Luna's secret are revealed.
• Episode 12 "Coloring the Living Time" : This episode deepens the bond between Casshern and Ringo, and will move viewers.
• Episode 24 "To the Blooming Flower" : The climax of the story depicts Casshern's rebirth and hope.

Conclusion

"Casshan Sins" is a work with deep themes, beautiful visuals, and a moving story. Casshern's suffering and journey of rebirth invite deep empathy and reflection in the viewer, giving them an opportunity to reexamine the meaning of their own existence. The appeal of the music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. This work, depicted from a unique perspective in a post-apocalyptic world, will provide viewers with new emotions. Please give it a watch.