The appeal and reputation of Azur Lane: Exploring the deep worldview of this battleship anthropomorphized game

Azur Lane: The story of girls running on the sea and its appeal

Overview

"Azur Lane" is a TV anime series based on the smartphone game developed by Manjuu Co., Ltd. and Yongshi Co., Ltd. It was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 from October 3, 2019 to March 20, 2020, and consists of 12 episodes. It was directed by Tensho and produced by Vibrant Animation Studio. This anime depicts an epic story of girls fighting on the sea, providing viewers with deep emotion and excitement.

■ Story

Blessings on the blue voyage--

The girls of "Azur Lane" have repelled the onslaught of the mysterious enemy "Siren" that came from outside the world. However, the battle never changes. Just as humanity once fought for dominance of the seas, "Azur Lane" and "Red Axis" are at odds due to differences in ideology. Time passes, and a new battle between the girls begins.

■Explanation

The story takes place on a mysterious blue planet, 71% of whose surface is covered in water. A strange enemy called "Siren" suddenly appears from another world. In order to fight against this overwhelming enemy, humanity has formed a global alliance called "Azur Lane" centered around four major factions.

There are factions such as the "Union" that respects freedom, the "Royal" that values ​​glory, the "Iron Blood" that praises solidarity, and the "Sakura Empire" that values ​​bonds of solidarity. Using the "Cube" that brings together the wisdom of each faction, girls who possess the power of the Steel Moudou were born. Thanks to their efforts, the Siren invasion was halted, and it seemed that their forces had been almost repelled. However, due to differences in philosophy on whether or not to use the power of the Sirens, some factions, represented by "Sakura Empire" and "Iron Blood", left "Azur Lane" and began operating as "Red Axis".

In order to monitor the movements of the Red Axis, the Azur Lane establishes a new base in the ocean and gathers its forces. The situation is explosive. No one knows the fate of the girls yet...

■Cast

・Enterprise/Yui Ishikawa・Belfast/Yui Horie・Akagi/Mai Nakahara・Ayanami/Ya Daichi・Laffey/Maria Naganawa・Javelin/Nozomi Yamane

■ Main staff

・Original work: Manjuu Co., Ltd., Yongshi Co., Ltd. "Azur Lane" (Android/iOS smartphone app game)
Director: Tensho Series Composition: Hagaya Jin Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Nonaka Masayuki Concept Design: MAGNUM
・Art director / Akihito Ogiyama ・Art setting / Yoshinori Shiozawa ・Color design / Kanako Hayashi ・CG director / Yoshiaki Higa ・Director of photography / Daisuke Chiba ・Editor / Mutsumi Takemiya ・Sound director / Masaki Tsuchiya ・Sound production / Ducks Production ・Music / Yasutomo Nishiki ・Music production / Stray Cats ・Music producer / Yohei Kisara ・Animation production / Vibrancy Animation Studio

■ Main Characters

An aircraft carrier belonging to the Enterprise Union. Nicknamed "Grey Ghost," he is considered the Union's strongest hero. He has a disciplined and stoic military temperament, and will not hesitate to put himself in danger in order to complete his mission and protect his comrades. However, those around him are concerned about his reckless fighting style.

A light cruiser belonging to the Belfast Royal. As the head of the maid corps serving the Queen, she does everything from combat to acting as a strategist and housework. She is so thorough in her work that she even addresses her enemies with the honorific "sama." She seems to be interested in Enterprise, but...

Akagi is an aircraft carrier belonging to the Sakura Empire. With overwhelming power, she is the strongest member of the Sakura Empire's "First Carrier Division". She dotes on her younger sister Kaga, another member of the First Carrier Division. She is a leader of the Sakura Empire, but her true identity is shrouded in mystery even to those around her...

A destroyer belonging to the Sakura Empire, Ayanami. Nicknamed "Demon God," she has achieved many victories on the battlefield with her brilliant fighting style, but she doesn't actually like fighting itself. She is quiet and not good at communicating, but she is loved by her friends on the Sakura Empire, such as Yukikaze and Yuudachi.

A destroyer belonging to the Laffey Union. He always looks sleepy and does things at his own pace. He is absent-minded and gives off a somewhat mysterious impression, but he cares about his comrades and gets serious when the time comes. He often drinks oxygen cola straight from the bottle.

A destroyer belonging to Javelin Royal. A lively and energetic tomboy. A considerate and earnest honor student, but sometimes absent-minded. Although she is pushed around by those around her, she grows little by little.

■Subtitle

Episode 1 / [Start-up] Girls Running on the SeaEpisode 2 / [Fierce Battle] Waves of Heartbeat, Wings of SteelEpisode 3 / [Elegance] Or Like a HumanEpisode 4 / [Cherry Blossom Storm] Cloak and DaggerEpisode 5 / [Reunion] Reach Out Your HandEpisode 6 / [Bond] Connecting Bonds, Binding HeartsEpisode 7 / [Death Line] For Determination and LoveEpisode 8 / [Intersection] Embrace Me and Never Let GoEpisode 9 / [Hope] Light Shines in the DarknessEpisode 10 / [Echoes] Bleached Crimson MemoriesEpisode 11 / [Monster] Battle Across the SeaEpisode 12 / [Blue Sea] Blessings for the Blue Route

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Graphite/diamond
・Period: 1-12
Lyrics: Seiko Fujibayashi; Composition: Ryuichi Takagi; Arrangement: Yusuke Shirato; Singer: May'n

・ED
・Light Signpost ・Period: 1-12
Lyrics by Saori Kodama, Music by Takahiro Yamada, Arrangement by Shinya Saito, Singer by Kano

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Azur Lane" has received extremely high praise as an anime based on a game. In particular, the characters' personalities and backgrounds are carefully drawn, and the viewers are highly praised for their deep empathy. In addition, the battle scenes are impressive and beautiful, allowing you to fully enjoy the scale of naval battles.

The story depicts the growth and struggles of the main characters, including Enterprise, and many viewers are drawn into their human drama. In particular, the relationships between the characters, such as the relationship between Enterprise and Belfast, and the positions of Akagi and Ayanami within the Sakura Empire, enrich the story.

The opening theme "graphite/diamond" and the ending theme "Hikari no Michishirube" are also very impressive and are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the anime. May'n's powerful singing voice and Kano's gentle singing voice move the hearts of viewers as the story unfolds.

■ Recommendation points

"Azur Lane" is a work that depicts a magnificent story of naval battles and the growth of unique characters. In particular, the following points are recommended points.

1. **Charm of the characters**: Enterprise, Belfast, Akagi, Ayanami, Laffey, Javelin, etc., each character has a rich personality and elicits deep empathy from the viewer. Their growth and conflicts are at the heart of the story, and they have the power to draw the viewer in.

2. **Powerful battle scenes**: The scale and beauty of naval battles are beautifully depicted, providing plenty of visual enjoyment. The battle scenes between aircraft carriers and destroyers are particularly impressive.

3. **Great Music**: The OP theme "graphite/diamond" and the ED theme "Hikari no Michishirube" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the anime. May'n and Kano's singing voices move the hearts of viewers as the story unfolds.

4. **Deep Story**: The conflicts arising from differences in ideology and the human drama of the characters are carefully depicted, deeply moving the viewers. In particular, the conflict between "Azur Lane" and "Red Axis" is a major axis of the story.

Related information

"Azur Lane" is not only an anime based on the game, but has also been expanded into various media mixes. It has also been made into a comic book and a novel, allowing you to enjoy an even deeper worldview. In addition, there are many events and merchandise sales, making it a work that fans cannot miss.

Conclusion

"Azur Lane" is a work that depicts a grand story set at sea and the growth of unique characters. The powerful battle scenes and wonderful music are also superb, providing viewers with deep emotion and excitement. In particular, the charm of the characters and the deep storyline are cited as recommended points. Please watch this work and enjoy the story of girls running on the sea.