Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1: Crimson Is The Sound of Dawn -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 2: Wander In The Labyrinth -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 3: Marginal City -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 4: Freedom and Phantoms -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 5: Carnival Dances With Lost Memories -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Episode 6: Nameless Guest -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 7: Appropriate Gear -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Episode 8: Nowhere House -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 9: The Ones Who Visited -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 10: Family Protrait -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 11: Target Planet -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 12: Masked Graveyard -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 13: Code Eve -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Bones Studios may not get much spotlight nowadays, but they’re certainly a studio worth monitoring. Not only did they work on one of the best shonen properties of all time, Full Metal Alchemist, but they’ve delivered satisfying modern experiences too. Some worth noting include Mob Psycho 100 and My Hero Academia. Yet, not every studio has a solid track record.
Enter 2024’s Metallic Rouge, a sci-fi series that didn’t start too strong but had the potential to become something memorable and great. Despite being an anime project allegedly produced to celebrate this animation company’s 25th anniversary, many will turn away from this anime original. Likewise, folks will wish Bones Studio had opted for a different work to commemorate their history in the anime-producing business.
This 13-episode anime series is set in a futuristic world where humans live amongst android organisms called Neans. A band of formidable fighters called the Immortal Nine aren’t thrilled with their world and rebel against it. This urges someone to hire two agents named Naomi Orthman and Rouge Redstar to defeat the Immortal Nine before they can cause irreparable damage.
Metallic Rouge’s storyline isn’t a complete trainwreck as there are aspects within its tale that’ll please general audiences. For instance, the story has some calming and exhilarating segments that’ll rouse folks. From heartfelt conversations to intense fight scenes, folks will admire how these scenes feel atmospheric.
Also, Metallic Rouge tackles interesting ideas regarding coexistence, freedom, and family values. The anime tackles these ideas in a semi-alluring way, with Rouge’s interactions with Juval and the Neans of the Nean Settlement being a decent example. The information concerning this world’s history and civilizations fans receive in segments like this will persuade them to contemplate the cast’s future happenings and their universe.
Moreover, Metallic Rouge has subtle comical moments that’ll make a few folks chuckle. Whether through banter or facial humor, Metallic Rouge’s tale can be lighthearted and amusing when it wants to be. Coupled with some decent cliffhangers and an intriguing atmosphere, some people will like what Metallic Rouge’s first season delivers.
Unfortunately, others’ experiences with this one’s plot will vary. For instance, Metallic Rouge’s storyline suffers from poor structuring and pacing. Throughout most of its run, viewers will feel like the anime is playing hopscotch. Yet, instead of jumping from the first block to the next, Metallic Rouge jumps from block one to block four, avoiding the pair of blocks following the first one.
Many viewers will feel like Metallic Rouge is skipping through events to reach other scenarios sooner, making the story feel less authentic and more disjointed. Additionally, there were several episodes where the information shared was challenging to follow. Whether through hazy writing or an overuse of perspective shifts, Bones Studios should’ve opted for a longer run with this series.
A 24-episode run would’ve helped Bones Studios tackle its mature subjects in potent, unforgettable, and genuine ways. Additionally, most issues large or small, don’t receive the most favorable resolutions imaginable. For instance, the way Rouge and Naomi resolve their quarrel via a punch to the face felt bland and predictable, much like most matters in this work.
These are scenes worth dedicating time to, especially considering what Naomi did to Rouge before this scenario. But on top of having a season finale jammed with several info dump segments and a rushed outcome, Bones Studios should’ve let this anime’s story cook in the oven more.
Metallic Rouge’s characters offer some levels of enjoyment and interest. Rouge and Naomi have likable qualities, decent chemistry, and intricate backgrounds. While many will prefer how Bones Studios tackled Rouge’s background more than Naomi’s, both characters have dazzling moments that’ll get someone’s attention upon their first viewing. On top of having nice designs, Rouge and Naomi are fine protagonists at best.
Viewers will likely respond to the supporting cast similarly, if not, worse. This is due to Bones Studios’s insistence on introducing new faces to build upon and interest audiences in Rouge and Naomi’s world. Unfortunately, due to the anime’s poor script, many folks will find the supporting character’s motivations, personalities, and decisions okay, stale, or weird.
Metallic Rouge’s visuals are one of its strongest, most alluring aspects. From the character’s designs and attire to the various backdrops, fans will find Metallic Rouge’s visual quality to their liking. The same can be said for its animation. For the most part, most of the series’s action sequences look fluid and contain a level of polish that animation lovers will appreciate.
Moreover, there’s a specific sequence found in episode nine, where Rouge emotes in ways reminiscent of classic cartoons like Looney Tunes. While scenes like this are scarce in Metallic Rouge, many audiences will marvel at the scenes that evoke passion, love, and effort. Although certain segments look strange and unappealing, Metallic Rouge’s imagery and animation remain consistent from episodes 1 to 13.
Sound-wise, Metallic Rouge produces similar results. The background music often elevates the emotions during most of Metallic Rouge’s mundane or important story beats. Rouge’s fights with the Immortal Nine benefit from the series’s staple battle track. While Bones Studio’s overuse of said track will bother folks, others won’t mind. In addition to having enjoyable voice acting, Metallic Rouge’s soundtrack is satisfying.
Anime originals aren’t always a hit, with some feeling like watered-down experiences of tales that provide better quality from a written, visual, or musical point-of-view. Nevertheless, many went into Metallic Rouge with great expectations, considering what it represents for Bones Studios. Although Metallic Rouge provides audiences with a pleasurable viewing experience, sci-fi fans should turn to complex and polished works like Pluto to scratch that itch.
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Verdict - 6/10
6/10