Series: Gunparade March Collection
Release date: 7th June 2010
Certificate: 12
Running time: 300 mins
Director: Katsushi Sakurabi
Starring: Akemi Okamura, Akira Ishida, Akio Suyama, Chiaki Maeda, Emi Shinohara
Genre: Anime
Studio: MVM
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Original conceived as a video game, the success of Gunparade March, and its depiction of humanity’s fight for survival, led to a three volume manga and this twelve episode anime.
Writer Fumihiko Takayama’s story follows the ongoing struggle between humans and aliens on earth in the year 1999.
54 years on from the initial Genjyu invasion, teenagers as young as 16 are still being drafted into military units to learn how to kill the enemy. The soldiers fight within huge Humanoid Walking Tanks (HWTs), built to resist the Genjyu’s fierce attacks, and are continuously on the alert for the next call to arms.
The series concentrates specifically on Unit 5121, and the teenagers who are forced to live out their youth on military bases, continuously trying to balance romance, friendship and school life with being in part responsible for the survival of the human race…
The two main characters in the series are Atsushi Hayami and Mai Shibamura, whose character has just arrived at 5121. Shibamura is initially quiet, and has trouble mixing with the other girls in her dormitory, but quickly becomes the centre of attention after saving Hayami and fellow female colleague Mibuya during battle. Thus begins both her acceptance into the group as a strong and proficient pilot, as well as a subtle rivalry with Mibuya. A love interest between Shibamura and the quiet and insecure Hayami also develops as the story continues.
For a series which opens in the midst of a battle, and has such a dark storyline, one of the main things that you notice is how heavily the story concentrates upon the lives of the students. In fact, it is no exaggeration to point out that the Genjyu storyline often takes a back seat in favour of schoolboy crushes and schoolgirl gossip.
Not that this is to the detriment of the series, because the action scenes do come regularly enough, but many anime fans could be a little disappointed at how quickly Gunparade March almost evolves into a soap opera, in which the main problem to be resolved is the issue of unrequited love. When Hayami and Shibamura find themselves stranded alone in a building surrounded by Genjyu, for example, the threat of an alien attack on their lives acts merely as a subtle reminder of the immediacy of their situation, while the dialogue takes the front seat, and the two reveal each other’s thoughts.
The story does have plenty of mysteries, however, to keep even the most impatient action lover entertained. Shibamura’s past and family history is constantly in question, as she shares the same surname with the group which created the military technology used in the fight against the Genjyu. She is also mourning the loss of someone she knew who died in battle, exactly a year before when the series picks up the story line.
The artwork, as you would expect, is thoroughly stunning. At times, it can be quite jittery, however, while, at other times, the audience simply has to make do with still pictures onscreen. Nevertheless, that Japanese elegance which is prominent in anime films and series’ is regularly used to full effect. As winter approaches, the episodes are often filled with scenes exhibiting serene beauty. Streams of light burst from the clouds and emphasise the majesty of the HWTs, while action and the Ginjyu threat are perfectly juxtaposed with light snowfall and wondrous sunsets. In fact, one of the main qualities of Gunparade March is, in many cases, the visual aesthetic, so much more than the plot or dialogue. The artwork can also be at times humorous and quirky, as seen by the old, fat cat who strolls around the camp, overseeing the humans and their interactions.
At times, however, it is difficult to work out whether or not the series is intended solely for children or young teenagers. Although the threat of danger is imminent in every episode, and often the fight scenes can be bloody and gory, the emphasis is often on whether or not the rest of the girls can convince Shibamura to admit she likes Hayami, or whether Hayami can discover his own true feelings. It’s not that the series is boring because of the romance and drama, but these aspects are not enough to keep the story moving. It seems, at times, that the relationships between the characters could have been quite easily explored and depicted without the Genjyu storyline, which sadly receives the back seat. In fact, there’s little resolution to be had with respect to the alien invasion plot, as the humans more often than not seem to be in perfect control of the situation.
Gunparade March is an incredibly well constructed and thought out storyline, and is executed with a brilliance typical of Japanese anime. However, from the synopsis, and even the DVD’s front cover, many viewers might be expecting a little more than they get, and could finish the series wondering why the action never really got into full flow. Perhaps further series will concentrate more on the Genjyu after having established the characters in this first series, in which case this great series will be viewed in an entirely different context.
At times perhaps a little too focussed on relationships, Gunparade March is nevertheless an elegant and absorbing military, romance, action drama rolled into one. IT
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