Nobody seems to talk about that other show with transforming motorcycles this season.
The latest directorial offering from Shinji Aramaki, the story revolves around the Viper unit, a squad of mercenary ‘blademen’ in the employ of the private military contractor Arqon Global Security, and their exploits in protecting Fort Daiva City.
The main characters comprising Viper unit are rather stereotyped, although they have the distinction of being older than the anime norm:
Saiki – The enigmatic, highly-skilled veteran who speaks mostly in grunts and monosyllables and likes sugar in his coffee. His call sign, ‘Cyclops,’ appears to be a pun on his name and his missing right eye.
Norma – The close-combat expert, kind of a blonde version of Karen Joshua; gets to use the giant mecha chainsaw. She's often in a half-naked condition for various reasons. At first glance, she appears to be the most money-grubbing of the lot but the money actually all gets sent to her daughter, who was adopted by a Daiva city couple at an early age.
Rudra – The blonde, laid-back playboy of a sniper (probably filling in the vacuum left by Kurtz Weber and all the other dead snipers, along with that other guy from Chrome Shelled Regios), with a reputation for losing partners in the last war, 8 years ago. Gets laid in the show, but ends up killing her anyways.
Gharib – The big, quiet, heavy-weapons guy with great cooking skills (sort of like G.I. Joe’s Roadblock). Gets the dual-wielded gatling guns and heavy ATGMs. Former sergeant, was sacked due to a training accident involving a landmine.
Haruki – The idealistic rookie with father issues. His father happens to be the former mayor, now AGS branch president, of Daiva City. Voiced by Jun Fukuyama, was actually involved with the people responsible for the drone attacks on Daiva City, dead and buried as of ep.08.
Each blademan gets the help of an operator back at HQ, who informs them of the tactical situation, such as road conditions up ahead, alternate routes, approaching enemies and the status of their vehicles.
Sakurako – Saiki’s operator. Like Haruki, a native of Daiva City. Has a positive outlook in life and no personal issues, unlike everyone else. She basically functions as an accessible intermediary between the show and the viewing audience.
The mecha are of basically two types: unmanned drones, much like a mix of multilegged ‘komas from GitS and the automatons from G00 S2, and the maneuver-blades. The unmanned drones, collectively known as ‘bug mechs,’ usually try to gain entry to the city in order to destroy industrial facilities and the like, and it’s implied that some of them come, not from terrorists or dormant war leftovers, but from rival cities trying to get a leg up over the competition.
Seeing as how this is a show helmed by Shinji Aramaki, the maneuver-blades are motorcycles that transform into humanoid ‘maneuveroids.’ Unlike previous transforming cycle designs, the ‘blades have fully-enclosed, armored compartments with video displays, even in cycle form. Even then, it’s clearly shown that they are quite vulnerable in many ways. Bladesmen can refuse to take falls of 10 meters, as this may damage the suspension (repairs incur monetary penalties). The wheels, which also function as knee and shoulder joints, are prone to damage, and heavy weapons will easily take them out. In addition, the ‘blades somehow take power from the energized roadways; if power is cut, the ‘blade can only operate for 30 seconds.
Aramaki also works in a lot of Cyberpunk themes in the show; one can say that the show's set in the early stages of a stereotypical Cyberpunk dystopia.
Megacorporations (AGS was responsible for much of the rebuilding of the city, and manufactures the maneuverblades in-house)
Megacorporations dealing with rivals in a shady manner (ep. 05's sniper assassinations)
Independent City-states (Hinted at in the background dialogue)
Corporate military (AGS again)
Dispossessed, angry locals (from all the new construction, and outsourcing means they don’t get jobs either)
Environmental disasters (nano/biological/chemical gunk which makes airborne & seaborne travel very difficult. Also a rise in sea levels, presumably from global warming)
Urban Sprawl (as represented by the semi-submerged buildings and all the elevated, energized roadways which have become the default mode of transportation)
Hackers (the people responsible for a lot of unmanned drone attacks)
Cybernetic limbs (a former acquaintance of Gharib)
OP theme is very ‘80’s New Wave music.
There’s a lot of CGI in the show, from the team that did the Appleseed movies. At first glance, I thought that it looked rather blah, but that’s just because I was watching a standard definition version on high-def resolution. The high-def version looked much better. 2D animation, on the other hand, is pretty average; nothing to write home about. The characters do look their age, though.
The majority of the episodes aired so far have mostly placed an emphasis on character development, although these also give a sense of the underlying tensions swirling in and around Daiva City, as well as bits & pieces of the overall plot. Ep.07, the most recent that I've seen, focuses much more on the plot. Seeing as this is supposed to be just a 1-season show, there's not a lot more episodes to go.
Viper's Creed
Saw the first ep today, and I think it's pretty awesome so far. Can't wait to watch the rest...
// ART THREAD // NOT ACCEPTING REQUESTS
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
I've seen up to episode 5 so far and I am not too impress. However its plot and the action keeps me going. I like the Viper teams attitude, they are not here to play heroes or concern themselves about right or wrong, nor do they work together. There own demons is enough to keep them busy. I am looking forward in how the show will progress
ZEON SHALL RISE AGAIN!!!
Most shows need to finish running before most people will watch them. Since this show doesn't seem to have anything else going for it (no famous director, source material, etc.) it might take a while for word of it to spread. This topic is one example.
Frankly it looks like an awesome show. I've put it on my list of anime to check out some time in the future.
Frankly it looks like an awesome show. I've put it on my list of anime to check out some time in the future.
Just saw Ep5, and I have to say this: That shot Rudra made has to be the most badass shot I've ever seen.through the scope, in through the eye socket, and out the back of the head, from probably 2 kilometers(bit less than 1 and a quarter mile) away.
Awesome.
Awesome.
// ART THREAD // NOT ACCEPTING REQUESTS
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
The weapon on which Rudra's sniper rifle was based on is an interesting, obscure choice on the staff's part, unlike the more ubiquitous PSG-1-ish rifle his adversary used.Dark Duel wrote:Just saw Ep5, and I have to say this: That shot Rudra made has to be the most badass shot I've ever seen.[size=0]through the scope, in through the eye socket, and out the back of the head, from probably 2 kilometers(bit less than 1 and a quarter mile) away.[/size]
Awesome.
Last I saw it in a live-action film was in one of the 007 movies with Timothy Dalton.
You mean the Walther WA 2000 sniper rifle? Current price make that about $75,000 to $ 80,000. In the future, it could worth waaay a lot more. So Rudra was using a precious antique for his work.
Having said that, Cowboy Bebob also uses 'antique' weapons. Like the Spike's handgun is the Jericho 941 and Jet uses the Walther P99.
Having said that, Cowboy Bebob also uses 'antique' weapons. Like the Spike's handgun is the Jericho 941 and Jet uses the Walther P99.
Of course I mean the Walther. Why else would I link to a page about it? Nice job looking up Wikipedia for the price at which Earl Sheehan's willing to let go of one.Gadget wrote:You mean the Walther WA 2000 sniper rifle?
Anyways, just watched the RAW of ep.9, and the fecal matter just impacted the ventilation device real hard for the members of unit Viper.
Last edited by Ryujin on Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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I am seriously, REALLY sad right now.
I just watched Ep10, and two episodes after Haruki is assassinated, NORMA DIES!!! Plus, if what I'm hearing on the grapevine is correct, Rudra and Gharib both bite the dust as well.
With that said, Ageha is ADORABLE. Which makes Norma's death even worse, because of how close the two get over the episode. Well at least she managed to slit the throat of that piece of crap who murdered Haruki.
At least Saiki's more badass than ever, and from what I hear, he at least manages to survive.
Also, Maneuver-Blades are, I think among my favorite mecha EVER. Especially with the stunt that one pulled in that alleyway as it was chasing (IIRC) Gharib.
I just watched Ep10, and two episodes after Haruki is assassinated, NORMA DIES!!! Plus, if what I'm hearing on the grapevine is correct, Rudra and Gharib both bite the dust as well.
With that said, Ageha is ADORABLE. Which makes Norma's death even worse, because of how close the two get over the episode. Well at least she managed to slit the throat of that piece of crap who murdered Haruki.
At least Saiki's more badass than ever, and from what I hear, he at least manages to survive.
Also, Maneuver-Blades are, I think among my favorite mecha EVER. Especially with the stunt that one pulled in that alleyway as it was chasing (IIRC) Gharib.
Last edited by Dark Duel on Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
// ART THREAD // NOT ACCEPTING REQUESTS
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
Err, I think you mean Saiki. Anyways, rest assured that the others also did it in the best of '80's Hollywood Action Movie traditions. It also amazes me that it's Saiki, of all people, who seems to deliver the rare humorous moment in these last few episodes (like asking someone to shut Jimmy up).Dark Duel wrote:two episodes after Haruki is assassinated, NORMA DIES!!! Plus, if what I'm hearing on the grapevine is correct, Rudra and Gharib both bite the dust as well.[/color]
With that said, Ageha is ADORABLE. Which makes Norma's death even worse, because of how close the two get over the episode. Well at least she managed to slit the throat of that piece of crap who murdered Haruki.
At least Haruki's more badass than ever, and from what I hear, he at least manages to survive.
And yeah, lip-ring guy got what he deserved. I only wished it was more prolonged and agonizing, just for the kidnapping alone.
Re: Viper's Creed
Finally, we get the last episode in a non-RAW form.
A good, action-packed ending. Episodes 9 to 12 was pretty much Aramaki's homage to 80's action movies, so just sit back, don't think too hard, and enjoy the ride.
There seemed to be a big plothole here & there (or Ageha's just that good), but it's easy to forgive or ignore in light of Saiki Clyde Bad-Assery. That's +1000 points, right there.
Notably, the writers made it a point that prototype models do tend to malfunction often. Also, imho red maneuver-blade = Megazone 23 Garland homage.
A good, action-packed ending. Episodes 9 to 12 was pretty much Aramaki's homage to 80's action movies, so just sit back, don't think too hard, and enjoy the ride.
There seemed to be a big plothole here & there (or Ageha's just that good), but it's easy to forgive or ignore in light of Saiki Clyde Bad-Assery. That's +1000 points, right there.
Notably, the writers made it a point that prototype models do tend to malfunction often. Also, imho red maneuver-blade = Megazone 23 Garland homage.
Re: Viper's Creed
So I finished up the show yesterday. Great little show with an 80's mecha vibe, which is probably no accident given Shinji Aramaki's involvement. Sometimes these 12 episode shows offer a lot of promise, but don't have enough to actually deliver. However, there was one aspect of the last episode that bothered me....
Spoiler
Haruki's magical resurrection. Dude got shot in the chest and then fell several stories into that filthy toxic water. How did he survive all of that, and then recover in total isolation and make a surprise appearance at the end? I can get they were going for a hopeful ending in spite of the bloodshed, but it would've worked just fine without him.
Co-founder/editor-in-chief, MAHQ
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pronouns: he/him/his
Re: Viper's Creed
Yeah, that bothered me as well; it was a real "Huh?!?" moment. At least it was (barely) hinted at that something was in the works whenChris wrote:Spoiler
Haruki's magical resurrection. Dude got shot in the chest and then fell several stories into that filthy toxic water. How did he survive all of that, and then recover in total isolation and make a surprise appearance at the end? I can get they were going for a hopeful ending in spite of the bloodshed, but it would've worked just fine without him.
Spoiler
Saiki called up his father using Haruki's cellphone. What bugged me more was how Jimmy had the real video recording with him all along even though, iirc, the team talked about what to do with it at length after he had already crashed the decoy truck in the previous episode.
Re: Viper's Creed
That can be explained away by assuming that at some point they were somehow able to make a duplicate recording beforehand.
However, the other thing bugged me. So I didn't watch that far into the episode, but I found a point where I thought it could've ended just as well without going on to retcon character death, and stopped there.
With that said, except for that one gripe I thought it was a great conclusion to the series, though Ulla got progressively more and more annoying as the episode wore on, so I'm VERY satisfied with his death.
I also thought that red Maneuver-Blade Saiki used in the final battle was really sweet-looking, both in terms of its colors and that logo on the front wheel.
However, the other thing bugged me. So I didn't watch that far into the episode, but I found a point where I thought it could've ended just as well without going on to retcon character death, and stopped there.
With that said, except for that one gripe I thought it was a great conclusion to the series, though Ulla got progressively more and more annoying as the episode wore on, so I'm VERY satisfied with his death.
I also thought that red Maneuver-Blade Saiki used in the final battle was really sweet-looking, both in terms of its colors and that logo on the front wheel.
// ART THREAD // NOT ACCEPTING REQUESTS
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
"You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turn of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she ought to fall down. Tells you she's hurting before she keens. Makes her a home."
Re: Viper's Creed
Alright, thanks to Chris, I'm back!
I finished the series during last weekend, but had problems logging in the "new" forum.
OK, back to topic, a short series this was, and I did enjoy most of it, but wouldn't say this was one of the best. I did like the role reversal for VA's Jun Fukuyama and Takahiro Sakurai from CG; now its Jun as the idealistic and Takahiro as the cunning.
The second half was a bit choppy, as we see characters getting "killed" off, and the ending was a definite head-scratcher: how was Haruki suppose to survive the assassination? Well, if I may allow to speculate, I think Saiki was aware of the conspiracy behind the company, given that he had access to the main office where Haruki's father works, he may have alerted Haruki's father about events that has happened. Remember it was Haruki's father that exposed the truth, while Saiki served as the decoy to draw out Ulla. And with the advance of substitute human limbs/organs in the series (look at Gharib's former student!), I wouldn't be surprised if Haruki had some cyber-genetic parts (new heart and lungs) to keep him alive. But we don't know the scars of Saiki (missing eye and scar on the upper left)
Given the scenes that flash by in the end, I would assume that all Viper squad members have survived, unless Saiki knows everything: a dress for Marie (Norma), flowers over Maya's grave (Rudra), and extra spices for the young lady (Gharib). Perhaps their "deaths" was to serve as a cover as they disappear into the crowds of Dalta city.
I didn't notice the 80's mecha anime reference through out the series, so which series did Viper Creed drew some of its inspiration from?
I finished the series during last weekend, but had problems logging in the "new" forum.
OK, back to topic, a short series this was, and I did enjoy most of it, but wouldn't say this was one of the best. I did like the role reversal for VA's Jun Fukuyama and Takahiro Sakurai from CG; now its Jun as the idealistic and Takahiro as the cunning.
The second half was a bit choppy, as we see characters getting "killed" off, and the ending was a definite head-scratcher: how was Haruki suppose to survive the assassination? Well, if I may allow to speculate, I think Saiki was aware of the conspiracy behind the company, given that he had access to the main office where Haruki's father works, he may have alerted Haruki's father about events that has happened. Remember it was Haruki's father that exposed the truth, while Saiki served as the decoy to draw out Ulla. And with the advance of substitute human limbs/organs in the series (look at Gharib's former student!), I wouldn't be surprised if Haruki had some cyber-genetic parts (new heart and lungs) to keep him alive. But we don't know the scars of Saiki (missing eye and scar on the upper left)
Given the scenes that flash by in the end, I would assume that all Viper squad members have survived, unless Saiki knows everything: a dress for Marie (Norma), flowers over Maya's grave (Rudra), and extra spices for the young lady (Gharib). Perhaps their "deaths" was to serve as a cover as they disappear into the crowds of Dalta city.
I didn't notice the 80's mecha anime reference through out the series, so which series did Viper Creed drew some of its inspiration from?
How much better is being a Creepy Bishonen compared to an AEUG slapping boy?
If Ginrai, the Japanese truck driver living in America, can be the leader of Cybertron Forces, then what can a pizza delivery boy be?
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If Ginrai, the Japanese truck driver living in America, can be the leader of Cybertron Forces, then what can a pizza delivery boy be?
My Items on Sale
PSN: skyknight0100
Re: Viper's Creed
Director Shinji Aramaki has lots of experience with bike mecha, since he designed the ride armors in Mospeada. The red maneuver-blade that Saiki uses in the last episode is probably a reference to Megazone 23's Garland, which was also designed by Aramaki.skyknight wrote:I didn't notice the 80's mecha anime reference through out the series, so which series did Viper Creed drew some of its inspiration from?
Co-founder/editor-in-chief, MAHQ
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pronouns: he/him/his
Re: Viper's Creed
I've found Viper's Creed also very good in a nostalgic kind of way. Like it reminds me of older shows, retaining their atmosphere although the artwork is pretty nice and brand-new. Too bad it is so short, but like Chris said, it might be better to deliver a good story in a few episodes than let it sprawl out into boredom. This show did angst, betrayal and personal issues a bit better, I thought, around episode eight.
-We will not be caught by surprise!
*Almost everyone I've killed uttered similar last words.
-Then I am glad once again that you are on my side.
*They've often said that too.
*Almost everyone I've killed uttered similar last words.
-Then I am glad once again that you are on my side.
*They've often said that too.