Tales of Zestiria: The Dawn of the Master - An experience that exceeds expectations

Tales of Zestiria: The Dawn of the Master: An epic journey from game to anime

"Tales of Zestiria: The Dawn of the Master" is a TV special anime based on the popular RPG series "Tales of Zestiria" by Bandai Namco Games. It was broadcast on TOKYO MX and KBS Kyoto on December 30, 2014, and attempts were made to bring out the best of the original work in the short 60-minute time slot. This anime has been praised as a work that is widely accepted not only by game fans but also by anime fans.

The appeal of the original game

Tales of Zestiria is an RPG released in 2015 that was highly praised for the series' distinctive real-time battle system and deep storytelling. The story of the protagonist Sorey and his companions as they embark on a journey to save the world touched many players. In particular, the story, which depicts the relationship between humans and spirits and the difficulty of sticking to one's beliefs, left a deep impression on players.

Background of the anime and production team

This anime aired before the game's release, so it also played a role in introducing the world view and characters of the original work. The director was Haruo Tonosaki of ufotable, whose unique visual expression and storytelling had a major influence on this anime. ufotable has worked on many popular anime such as "Fate/Zero" and "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," and their high quality is well-known.

Story and Characters

"Tales of Zestiria: The Dawn of the Master" is based on the opening part of the original game. After his hometown is attacked, the main character, Sorey, sets out on a journey to save the world. On his journey, he meets a variety of unique characters, including the spirit Mikleo and the master Arcanat. The anime depicts the relationships and growth of these characters, deeply moving viewers.

In particular, the friendship between Sorey and Mikleo is an important theme in the original game, and their bond is emphasized in the anime. His struggles and determination as a leader of Arcanat also left a strong impression on viewers. The portrayal of these characters succeeds in bringing out the charm of the original work.

Visuals and Music

Ufotable's visual expression was fully demonstrated in this anime. The beautiful backgrounds and character movements have the power to draw the viewer into the world of the original work. In particular, the fluidity of the battle scenes and the mysterious depiction of the spirits show the technical skill of Ufotable.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the appeal of this anime. The music by Sakuraba Osamu, who composed the background music for the original game, was also used in the anime, stirring the emotions of the viewers. In particular, the tension in the battle scenes and the emotionally rich melodies in the moving scenes left a strong impression on the viewers.

Evaluation and response

Tales of Zestiria: The Dawn of the Master was highly praised by fans of the original work, especially for its faithful reproduction of the world and characters of the original work. Anime fans also praised the quality of ufotable's visual expression and music.

However, some viewers felt that the short 60-minute length of the drama did not fully bring out the appeal of the original work, especially that there was not enough time to depict the deeper storyline and character development of the original work.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed "Tales of Zestiria: Dawn of the Master," we recommend you play the original game, "Tales of Zestiria." In the game, you can experience the story and character growth that was not depicted in the anime. You can also enjoy the same worldview in other works in the series, "Tales of Berseria" and "Tales of Arise," so be sure to try them out.

You can also enjoy the quality of visual expression and storytelling in other anime by ufotable, such as "Fate/Zero" and "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba." These works are a great way to experience ufotable's technical skills and creativity, so be sure to check them out.

Conclusion

"Tales of Zestiria: Dawn of the Master" is an anime that has succeeded in bringing out the appeal of the original game. The quality of ufotable's visual expression and music left a strong impression on viewers. It may have been difficult to portray the worldview and characters of the original in a short 60-minute time frame, but this anime has provided fans of the original and anime with a new perspective. I hope that even those who have never played the original game will use this anime as an opportunity to experience the world of "Tales of Zestiria."