English Title: Real Drive
Japanese Title: RD 潜脳調査室 (lit. RD brain-dive research division)
Director(s): Furuhashi Kazuhiro
Screenwriter(s): Fujisaku Junichi & others
Studio: Production I.G
Released: 2008
Runtime: 26 episodes, ~23 min each.
Starring: Oki Kanae, Mori Katsuji, Fujiwara Keiji, Takahashi Hiroki, Kawasumi Ayako
My Verdict: Decent production. Not bad, but the plot and themes could use more development as it is a little unfocused.
● In 2012, Haru Masamichi worked as a diver for his friend Kushima Eiichirou who is conducting scientific research on Earth’s biorhythm. There was an accident and Haru fell into a coma for almost fifty years.
● The series is set in the year 2061 on an artificial island. Haru is an old man in a wheelchair. Holon is his android assistant and bodyguard. One day, 15-year-old student Aoi Minamo turns up as a temporary assistant as part of her extra-curricular activity since Holon needs to be away for 36 hours for maintenance. Meanwhile, Minamo’s older brother Sota tries to recruit Haru on behalf of Kushima who is head of a research institute.
● This is a world where people are connected via the network called “Metal” which can even store memories and transfer sensory data. “Diving” into the Metal is not unlike diving into the ocean, hence Kushima again recruits Haru for his work. Minamo stays on as Haru’s assistant and the series is mostly episodic, following Haru as he is given problems or research to carry out that requires him diving into the Metal.
● Created by Masamune Shirow who also created Ghost in the Shell and Appleseed, Real Drive has many common elements with the aforementioned. Life on the artificial island, although far from utopian, is mostly presented as pleasant. In this regard, the tone of Real Drive is much brighter and positive.
● Nanotechnology is common. Although not explained in detail how the Metal works, connecting to it requires injections of nanomachines. Nanites are also released into the atmosphere for weather modification.
● Environmentalism is one of the themes of the series, although not every episode is about that. It does not advocate against development or the use of technology. In this regard, it thankfully is not constantly hippie and tacky. But the imagery is always there; for example, the artificial island is shown having nice parks and there is, of course, the ocean so “nature” is always promoted.
● There are episodes that emphasize this crudely: the same old “let nature restore itself” and the idea that everything is interconnected. The Metal, which is basically an advanced form of the internet and using the ocean as its representation, is an obvious parallel to that.
● Despite the above, it is interesting that the series is critical of weather modification, especially if it involves releasing something into the atmosphere and altering the geomagnetic field. It is also critical of the over-reliance on the Metal (or internet).
● The production is generally good, with some good use of CG for buildings and structures. The characters are generally drawn well. Like most series, there are always a few shots in which some main characters look a bit off but nothing more than usual.
● It is refreshing that this anime does not merely feature characters that are young with near-perfect faces and bodies. One main character is an old man and many females are rounder and more full-bodied. At least by anime standards, it is more realistic. Although short skirts are the norm in anime, the series unfortunately goes out of its way for butt shots.
● To those who expect something gritty and/or full of sci-fi action like Ghost in the Shell or Appleseed, then this series is not like that. The tone is brighter. The characters are not particularly interesting or strong but they are fitting to the premise and plot. The series certainly tries to be more personal, and more focused on the characters rather than action.
● Despite being episodic, there is still the overarching mystery of the Earth’s biorhythm and how the environment is suspected to impact the Metal. This and the associated politics are occasionally hinted at but the focus on this does not occur until towards the end of the series. Although there is nothing wrong with the episodic structure, more of the overall arc could be touched on in the earlier episodes.
● The series can come across as a little unfocused even if it is, perhaps paradoxically, consistent in most ways. The ideas and themes are there, it tries to have a bit of intrigue, a bit of action (in real life and cyberspace) and even a hint of slice-of-life. Although not inconsistent, one may be tempted to ask, “What is it trying to be?”
● The opening and closing theme songs, “Wanderland” by 9mm Parabellum Bullet and “Katahiza no Yogore” (片膝の汚れ) by Last Alliance respectively, are also indicative of this. Both are messy rock pieces far from the tone of the series and certainly very different from the soundtrack.
● Overall, it is not a bad series. Both the themes and plot could use more development. There could be more complexity regarding the Metal and its impact on people. The themes regarding the environment can also be subtler. Although there is an ending, it could be fuller with more of a denouement.
Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list so you get each new Opinyun that comes out!
Comments