Lost Universe


US Distributor: Nozomi Entertainment
Production Studio: E.G. Films
Was this provided by the publisher? Yes
More Info: Anime News Network


Clash! Love And Hatred Battle In Outer Space.

Lost Universe DVD Set Boxart - 20150413Ask any fan of Lost Universe to describe the series, and you’re likely to get a short, simple explanation. “It’s Slayers in space!” Indeed, the series shares a number of similarities with the spellbinding adventures of Lina Inverse. However, Lost Universe quickly proves that it can stand on it’s own merits as well, with numerous layers of subtext that lay beneath its comedic exterior.

Lost Universe tells the tale of Kane Blueriver, a heroic Trouble Contractor who travels the universe in his ship,  the Swordbreaker. He doesn’t go it alone, though. The Swordbreaker is controlled by a spunky AI system named Canal, who can project herself as a hologram. Together, Kane and Canal travel from planet to planet, doing odd (often dangerous) jobs to earn their keep. It’s a simple life, but it keeps the lights on and food on the table.

Their lives forever changed one day, when the Swordbreaker reluctantly adds a new crew member. During a mission, Kane ends up taking in Millie, a girl with a mysterious past that she doesn’t care to discuss. Millie is driven by a single passion. She strives to be the best in the universe at everything she does. Together, this ragtag team of warriors are pulled into a conflict far greater than one can imagine. The malevolent Nightmare Group has the trio in its sights, led by the mysterious Spreader of Darkness. Will Kane, Millie, and Canal be able to stand against them?

Lost Universe 001 - 20150413Lost Universe certainly isn’t shy about its Star Wars influences. On the contrary, it embraces and gleefully lampoons them whenever possible. Kain’s life on a backwater planet and eventual involvement in a battle for the fate of the galaxy parallels Luke’s own rise to fame. The aptly named Spreader of Darkness isn’t too far removed from Darth Vader, who rules over an organization that’s not too dissimilar from the Galactic Empire. Millie is the token Leia, and Canal, well… Canal’s just great.

While Lost Universe has many strong points, the show’s lack of an overall budget is painfully evident. There are numerous cut corners in the animation, from jerky motions, to two-frame action cycles. High-action scenes are packed with pans and zooms to hide the lack of character movement, and CGI scenes are generally ugly and uninspired. Worst of all is the generally drab overall aesthetic the show presents. While the characters themselves are colorful and distinct, many of the landscapes and backgrounds are bland, washed out, and generally forgettable.

Lost Universe 007 - 20150413Lost Universe‘s greatest asset is, without a doubt, its cast. The series places its key characters front-and-center, ensuring everybody has a story to tell. For example, Millie is an overachiever whose drive to be the best stems from a need to leave her mark on the universe. Kain, on the other hand, attributes his heroics and valor to his grandmother. The characters feel like they belong in the world, and the way they come together feels nothing short of natural.

Much like The Slayers, Lost Universe is a series that hides a great deal of wisdom beneath its comedic exterior. The show’s playful, often silly demeanor serves as a clever contrast to the darker tale of good versus evil and love versus hate that runs through each episode. While it could have easily gone awry, the duality is handled with a uniquely graceful touch that helps the series claim an identity of its own.  Lost Universe isn’t for everyone, for sure. Those looking for a fun, space-jockeying adventure, though, won’t be disappointed.

Gallery

Anime Herald

Support Anime Herald

Anime Herald is brought to you through our Patrons and Ko-fi supporters. Consider backing us for as little as $1 a month to help us keep the site ad-free and pay a fair rate to our writers.

Patrons and backers can access several benefits, including Early Article Access, our members-only Discord, and the ability to suggest articles for our team to write on your behalf.



Latest Posts

Columns

The Evolution of Abridged Anime Part 4 – No Screwing The Rules

Fears about legal ramifications were fairly common in the world of comedic anime fandubs, despite some arguing they might be protected under parody laws. Philip Sral of Sherbert Productions shared a story of how three fans caused a large amount of stress while trying to get a copy of one of their works by pretending […]

By Borealis Capps