The appeal and reviews of "NO.6": A masterpiece anime depicting a dystopian world

"NO.6" - A youth sci-fi drama torn between ideals and reality

■Overview of the work

"NO.6" is a TV anime series based on the light novel by Asano Atsuko, and aired for a total of 11 episodes from July 7 to September 15, 2011. It was broadcast on Fuji TV, with each episode lasting 30 minutes. It was produced by the NO.6 Production Committee, directed by Nagasaki Kenji, with series composition by Mizukami Kiyosuke, and character design and general animation direction by Ishino Satoshi. The music was composed by Suzuki Keiichi, with the opening theme "Spell" sung by LAMA and the ending theme "Night of a Six Magnitude Star" sung by Aimer.

■ Story

The story of "NO.6" begins with the encounter between Shion, a 16-year-old boy born and raised as an elite in the ideal city "NO.6," and a mysterious boy named Nezumi, whom he meets on his 12th birthday. Shion loses his elite status after helping Nezumi, but one day four years later he meets Nezumi again. From that time on, a series of strange incidents begin to occur around Shion. As the rapid aging caused by parasitic wasps, the existence of a correctional facility, and the dark side of the "Holy City" are revealed, the friendship and destinies of Shion and Nezumi intertwine.

■ Characters

Shion: Yuuki Kaji Mouse: Yoshimasa Hosoya Safu: Kiyono Yasuno Inukashi: Kei Shindo Rikiga: Masaki Terasoma Karan: Rei Sakuma Lili: Sumire Morohoshi Yang Mian: Shinichiro Miki

■ Main staff

Original author: Atsuko Asano Director: Kenji Nagasaki Series composition: Kiyosuke Mizukami Character concept and concept design: toi8
Character design and chief animation director: Satoshi Ishino Art design: Kazushige Kanehira Art director: Ayu Kawamoto Color design: Kazuko Kikuchi Director of photography: Hikaru Fukuda Sound director: Masafumi Mima Music: Keiichi Suzuki Music producer: Hiroaki Sano Chief producer: Koji Yamamoto Producers: Noritomo Yonai, Reo Kurosu, Takuya Matsushita, Yoshinori Takeeda

■ Evaluation and impressions

"NO.6" is a work that strongly emphasizes the elements of a coming-of-age drama within the near-future science fiction genre. The story, which begins with the encounter between Shion and Nezumi, depicts friendship, trust, and the weight of destiny. In particular, Shion's growth and change are impressive, and his determination to help Nezumi even at the cost of giving up his elite status leaves a strong impression on viewers. Nezumi's character is also appealing, and his cool attitude and inner conflict add depth to the story.

The animation is of high quality, and Bones' production skills shine through. The character designs are made with toi8's unique touch, and the backgrounds and art are also made with great attention to detail. Keiichi Suzuki's beautiful music adds excitement to the story, and the opening and ending songs in particular enhance the atmosphere of the work.

However, some people feel that the story development is rushed due to the small number of episodes. There was not enough time to animate all of the content of the original work, so some important episodes were cut or simplified. Still, if you watch it as a whole, you will be able to feel the charm of it as a youth sci-fi drama.

■ Recommendation points

"NO.6" is a work that can be enjoyed as a youth sci-fi drama. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in themes such as friendship, trust, and destiny. Bones' beautiful animation and Keiichi Suzuki's music are also highlights. Fans of the original work may find some parts lacking, but the anime's unique charm is well worth experiencing.

■ Related works

"NO.6" is based on a light novel by Atsuko Asano, who has also written other works such as "Battery". Director Kenji Nagasaki has worked on works such as "Mobile Suit Gundam 00" and "Eureka Seven AO", and series composer Kiyosuke Mizukami has worked on works such as "A Certain Scientific Railgun" and "The Familiar of Zero". Character designer toi8 has also worked on character design for "Black Butler" and "Blue Exorcist".

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Soaking wet ratEpisode 2: The city of lightEpisode 3: Life and deathEpisode 4: Demons and saintsEpisode 5: Angels of the underworldEpisode 6: Secret crisisEpisode 7: True lies, fictional truthEpisode 8: The reason is...
Episode 9: The Stage of Disaster Episode 10: What Lies in the Abyss Episode 11: Tell Me the Truth

■ Detailed character introduction

Shion:
A 16-year-old boy who was raised without any hardships in the "Holy City" No. 6. He achieved the highest rank in his childhood health check and lives in the high-end residential area "Chronos". He was promised a bright future as an elite, but was stripped of his qualifications after helping a mouse. He is a laid-back person, but is a bit nervous and not good at socializing. He shows his curiosity when it comes to things that interest him.

Rats:
A boy who lives in the slum area "West Block" outside of NO.6. His age and origins are unknown. He is skilled with knives and has excellent athletic ability. He is intelligent and acts cool, but he does not hide his hatred towards NO.6.

Safu:
A girl who met Shion in her school days and fell in love with him. Even after Shion was stripped of his qualifications, she went to "Lost Town" to meet him. She lost her parents at an early age and lives with her grandmother. She graduated with honors in physiology and studied abroad in another city, but returned to "NO.6" and learned of Shion's disappearance.

Oak:
An acquaintance of Mouse's who lives in the "West Block." His age and gender are unknown. Having been raised by dogs since he was a baby, he understands dog language and uses this power to work as an "information broker" and "dog lender." As is typical of the residents of the "West Block," he dislikes getting involved in trouble, but...

Rikiga:
A former newspaper reporter who lives in the "West Block" and is a hard drinker. He seems to have known Shion's mother, Kaori, and lends her his strength when Shion visits Chikarakawa seeking help. He also has connections with high-ranking bureaucrats in "No. 6," which is why he has good money for a resident of the "West Block." He uses his connections to leak various information to Shion and the others.

Karan:
She lived with her son Shion in the upscale residential area of ​​"Chronos," but was banished to "Lost Town" after a rat incident. Undaunted by the tyranny of the city authorities, she raised Shion on her own while running a small bakery. She is also one of the people who knows the situation at the time of the establishment of "NO.6," and Chikarakawa was an acquaintance of hers at that time.

Lili:
A small regular customer at the bakery in Lost Town where Huo Lan lives. She visits the bakery frequently with her uncle Yang Mian in place of her pregnant mother. She is very attached to Huo Lan and loves the muffins she makes.

Yang Mian:
A middle-aged internet journalist who became acquainted with Kaori when his niece Lili frequented the store. After a certain incident, he became suspicious of the management system of "NO.6" and began investigating the secrets with his network friends.

■ The appeal and depth of the work

"NO.6" has attracted many viewers as a youth sci-fi drama that is torn between ideals and reality. In particular, the relationship between Shion and Nezumi is at the heart of the story, and their friendship and trust drive the story. Shion's growth and change evoke strong empathy from viewers, and Nezumi's inner conflict adds depth to the story.

Additionally, the setting of the work, "NO.6," is depicted on the surface as an ideal city, but behind it lies many secrets and darkness. The dual nature of this "holy city" symbolizes the contrast between ideals and reality, which is the theme of the story. Shion's determination to help Nezumi even at the cost of giving up his elite status leaves a strong impression on viewers, symbolizing his growth and change.

The animation is of high quality, and Bones' production skills shine through. The character designs are made with toi8's unique touch, and the backgrounds and art are also made with great attention to detail. Keiichi Suzuki's beautiful music adds excitement to the story, and the opening and ending songs in particular enhance the atmosphere of the work.

However, some people feel that the story development is rushed due to the small number of episodes. There was not enough time to animate all of the content of the original work, so some important episodes were cut or simplified. Still, if you watch it as a whole, you will be able to feel the charm of it as a youth sci-fi drama.

■ Recommendation points

"NO.6" is a work that can be enjoyed as a youth sci-fi drama. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in themes such as friendship, trust, and destiny. Bones' beautiful animation and Keiichi Suzuki's music are also highlights. Fans of the original work may find some parts lacking, but the anime's unique charm is well worth experiencing.

■ Related works

"NO.6" is based on a light novel by Atsuko Asano, who has also written other works such as "Battery". Director Kenji Nagasaki has worked on works such as "Mobile Suit Gundam 00" and "Eureka Seven AO", and series composer Kiyosuke Mizukami has worked on works such as "A Certain Scientific Railgun" and "The Familiar of Zero". Character designer toi8 has also worked on character design for "Black Butler" and "Blue Exorcist".

■Subtitle

Episode 1: Soaking wet ratEpisode 2: The city of lightEpisode 3: Life and deathEpisode 4: Demons and saintsEpisode 5: Angels of the underworldEpisode 6: Secret crisisEpisode 7: True lies, fictional truthEpisode 8: The reason is...
Episode 9: The Stage of Disaster Episode 10: What Lies in the Abyss Episode 11: Tell Me the Truth