Anime Melody of Oblivion

[densuke]

[b]Melody of Oblivion[/b] (Boukyaku no Senritsu)(2004)
# of Episodes: 24
Production: JC Staff

SYNOPSIS:
A boy named Bocca comes of age in a world where humans live under the heels of monsters. Adults live as quislings, sacrificing their children for the sake of comfort and peace. Unlike most people Bocca, who is fascinated with archery, makes contact with those humans who would resist being dominated. As the series begins he must decide which side he stands on.
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I am not sure if this series interests me [i]despite[/i] or [i]because of[/i] the fact that it comes off as so damn pretentious (probably the latter). Although the first episode gave a clear idea of what was going on as far as the "story," the series seems to have more in store for Bocca and the viewer than a simple monster-of-the-week scenario.

The combat scenes remind me of the duels in [b]Shoujo Kakumei Utena[/b]. The show also shares with Utena a certain mood. Some of the scenes, such as the sacrifices, paid off well, but have an alienated or symbolic quality to them - some of the punch they pack is not in what is shown but in what is suggested.

[Dagger]

For whatever reason, I'm starting to enjoy this series. The comparison to Utena is a good one, although I find Melody of Oblivion's surrealism slightly less jarring. Its rich classical music and stylized backgrounds seem to help pull things together. I've actually grown to appreciate the fact that the show isn't as flashy or shiny-looking as other current sci-fi anime (i.e. Kono Mini). If the characters continue to stay on-model, I couldn't care less about fancy fight sequences. In any event, action doesn't really appear to be the series' main focus.

Melody of Oblivion's director uses sexual tension to make the sacrifice scenes come across as being delightfully macabre. I thought this was very effective, and so far I've been pleasantly surprised by the show's consistent weirdness. Much like Utena, Melody of Oblivion is a little over the top. Yet Bocca is an endearing, sensible character, and I'm finding it easy to root for him.

My favorite part of episode 2 was when [spoiler]Bocca shot an arrow through the wall.[/spoiler] It was a fantastic moment--very exciting and satisfying. So I guess Melody of Oblivion has succeeded in making me care about its characters.

~Dagger~

[densuke]

The first fansub group to work on this series (ANBU) hasn't done an episode in 2 months; since then, Rice-Box has picked up the series and made rapid progress.

Bocca has picked up a sidekick (Sayoko the thief) and hit the road; in two story arcs (3-5 and 6-8) he has made stops in two different towns. Bocca seeks to destroy the "monsters" who rule humanity, but has to face human females deputized by the monsters to control these towns.

Bocca is becoming somewhat entangled with Sayoko and gets to know some of the other characters. As he uncovers the relationships between the monsters, "Monster Agents" and townspeople the viewer (and Bocca to a slightly different extent) is also made aware of personal relationships between and among some of the townspeople (including the "Agents"). These layers of relationship blend and comment on each other.

Although the series has readily and increasingly displayed similarities to Utena (the titles share the same art director and character designer), I have had inklings of a connection with Tenshi ni Narumon! (an excellent series, now obscure and misunderstood due to epic delays on the part of its US licensee). The director and music director from this show are also on board for Melody.

[Dagger]

Rice-Box released episode 10 earlier today. I appreciate the way the show is structured--so far none of the individual arcs have felt too short or too long, and they've all received a satisfactory resolution while contributing to the viewer's knowledge of the world in which Melody of Oblivion takes place. Another notable aspect of this series is that every single one of the recurring female characters is likeable and sympathetic... especially Coco. ^_~

Bocca's quasi-platonic relationship with Sayoko may not receive a lot of screen time, but it's nicely portrayed and (in my opinion) one of the show?s best elements. Any anime in this mold needs to have appealing characters in order to minimize the audience?s eye-rolling when things get overly symbolic.

Heh, the only reason I?ve heard of Tenshi ni Narumon! is thanks to Synch-Point?s ridiculous delays (?epic? really is a good word to describe them). The character designs look quite cute?cute enough to make me a little wary, as a matter of fact. Could you possibly tell me more about this series?

~Dagger~