There's not much (that I know of) in the zombie/steampunk world and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is a sold, interesting and generally likable entry into this market.
Its helped in this effort by some interesting world-building, the zombie (Kabane) outbreak seems to have happened at the height of the Japanese samurai age, with survivors grouped in great walled cities protected by samurai musket-men. At the start in particular there is a good focus on class, honor and society. These cities are connected by great iron railways on which armored trains run, taking supplies and people from one to the next, running the gauntlet of horrific zombie hordes from which, a single bite proves entirely fatal..
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress starts strong with a great two part episode showing the horrific attack of the Kabane (basically fast zombies with flowing hearts, eyes and a nasty bite) on a walled survivors city. Its a great two episodes with a high body count, some terrific action and a desperate escape by armored train. Alas the series steadily looses it's way, but the ride is nevertheless enjoyable while it lasts.
Whats good?
- While it lasts, the story is quite enjoyable, being a sort of bizzaro 'Battlestar Galactica on rails' as our heroes and survivors try to reach safety aboard the great steam train. Its tense, interesting and fresh.
- The supporting cast is largely interesting and well voiced. You care for them more then our main characters anyway.
- The Kabane make for a horrific, interesting foe, a worthy entry into the zombie market.
- Mumei is...well for the first half of the series quite an interesting, watchable character, seeing how the survivors view her and Ikoma is quite interesting.
- The animation is generally excellent as is the character design, the use of CGI (for the iron trains) is solid and the Japanese voicework is similarly good.
- Excellent opening track, one of the best, a thunderous operatic ode.
Whats bad?
- Ikoma makes for a...well a fairly unlikable lead. He's not as bad as some might make out, but he is a little irritating and his character arc is fumbled.
- The second half makes a regrettable choice to focus on more human enemies. These enemies are both obvious, cliche and uninteresting, the second half is watchable but a notable drop in tension, interest and horror.
- This coincides with a notable change in Mumei from bad-ass mysterious warrior to the 'oni-chan' damsel in distress, hugely regrettable.
Conclusion
This is a solid series, particularly for those into zombies, steamtrains and samurai, three things that don't normally appear together. While, yes, it probably never would have been made if Attack on Titan didn't exist it really is different enough to warrant a watch. Try it, enjoy it and don't watch the follow up (bleh)
