Gasaraki

With war brewing in the Middle East, the Gowa Corporation is quick to offer the UN the use of its new giant robot system, the Tactical Armour (TA). Upon deployment, however, the newly-created Tactical Armour squadron soon find that their enemies are also equipped with TAs, courtesy of rival group Symbol. As events continue to escalate through both military encounters and political manipulations, it becomes clear that both Gowa and Symbol are interested in acquiring a far greater power, one that has its roots in ancient Japanese mythology.

Central to both organisations’ plans are two people- Miharu, a mysterious young woman under the care of Symbol; and Yushiro, fourth son of the Gowa family and youngest member of the new TA squadron. Amidst the machinations of Gowa and Symbol, Yushiro and Miharu set out to find their own answers.

At first glance, it is easy to dismiss Gasaraki as bland and uninteresting, and indeed, the show has very little to offer in the way of instant gratification. Grounding itself in gritty realism, the series opts for what can only be called a carefully paced approach, slowly and deliberately weaving a complex storyline that will require multiple viewings to fully appreciate.

Indeed, underneath its seemingly bland appearance, Gasaraki is a show that pays meticulous attention to detail. A closer look at the visually predominant military greys and greens reveals painstakingly crafted mechanical designs, and the same effect can be seen in the characterisation. Perhaps not the most inspiring or memorable bunch to begin with, the characters gradually garner our interest and sympathies not through overblown gestures, but simply by acting and reacting much as real people would. Unfortunately, however, Gasaraki tries to accommodate quite a large cast of characters, and inevitably some of them receive little attention throughout the course of the series.

Realism and attention to detail may be Gasaraki’s strength, but when it comes to the storyline, they are also something of a weakness. All too often the pace slows to a crawl as characters enter in-depth political or philosophical discussions- a facet of the show that will interest some viewers but alienate many others. The TAs themselves, far from being the stars of the show, are merely part of a greater whole, and those looking for non stop giant robot action will be sadly disappointed.

Despite these caveats, Gasaraki provides its fair share of dramatic tension- from the sparingly used but well-crafted TA engagements, to the inclusion of more mystical elements, with the latter in particular providing a striking counterpoint to the ultra-realism exhibited elsewhere. The show’s marriage of realism and mysticism is not always perfect, but it certainly makes for some of the best scenes in the series.

In Summary

Gasaraki is not a show that everyone can pick up and enjoy straightaway. The slow pacing and in depth politics will no doubt act as a deterrent to many; however, those who are willing to work at it will no doubt end up with a greater appreciation for what the series has to offer.