Anime Reviews (2010-2019): Granblue Fantasy: The Animation - Volume Two (2017)

“Granblue Fantasy: The Animation” is for the fans who loved the RPG game and one can look at the series as an extension of it. Each episode featuring a group experiencing various missions and exploring character dynamics and relationship with the main male and female protagonist. At 12 episodes and two OVA’s, one can see each episode as adventures experienced by a group, rather than a storyline with a definitive finale. But still, for RPG video game fans, the anime series is enjoyable and entertaining despite being a short anime series.

Purchase from RightStuf

TITLE: Fate/Stay Night Heaven’s Feel I. Presage FlowerGranblue Fantasy: The Animation – Volume Two

ANIME RELEASE DATE IN JAPAN: 2017

DURATION: 160 Minutes – Episodes 8-12 + Extra Episodes 1-2

BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, 16×9, Japanese and English Linear PCM Stereo, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: Aniplex of America, Inc.

RATED: 13 and Up

Release Date: July 17, 2018

Series Directed by Kurata Ayako

Directed by Itoh Yuuki

Music by Uematsu Nobuo, Narita Tsutomu, Nishiki Yasunori

Character Design by Akai Toshifumi

Original Character Design: Akai Toshifumi

Art Director: Kai Masatoshi

Anime Production: A-1 Pictures

Featuring the following voice talent:

Tōyama Nao/Kira Buckland as Lyria

Ono Yuuki/Kyle McCarley as Gran

Katō Emiri/Faye Mata as Sierokarte

HirataHiroaki/Kyle Hebert as Rackam

Kanemoto Hisako/Erika Harlacher as Djeeta

Itō Kanae/Katelyn Gault as Strum

Yamaji Kazuhiro/Richard Epcar as Eugen

Sawashiro Miyuki/Erica Lindbeck as Katalina

Kugimiya Rie/Sandy Fox as Vyrn

Tanaka Rie/Allegra Clark as Rosetta

Sugita Tomokazu/Ray Chase as Drang

Yokojima Wataru/Keith Silverstein as Pommern

Tamura Yukari/Jackie Lastra as Io

Based on Cygames’ epic fantasy mobile RPG that has amassed a following of over 14 million players, GRANBLUE FANTASY The Animation brings all the fun to your TV! Watch as all your favorite characters adventure together into the blue, and beyond.

Gran and the crew land in the beautiful Auguste Isles. But they are immediately greeted by foul-smelling slime on the shore and a disquieting mood in town. They meet Eugen, an agent and old acquaintance of Rackam, who explains that the Erste Empire is responsible for Auguste’s current state. That’s when Lyria begins to hear the faint call of a primal beast…

Back in 2014, the RPG video game developed by Cygames titled “Granblue Fantasy” was released for Android and iOS (and also for web browsers).

Featuring a reunion of “Final Fantasy” music composer Uematsu Nobuo and art director Minaba Hideo, the game which would surpass 18 million downloads and gross over $186 million in 2017 in Japan alone would have an animation adaptation featuring 12 episodes and two OVA specials.

Produced by A-1 pictures and directed by Itoh Yuuki, the anime series was released on Blu-ray courtesy of Aniplex.

The series revolves around a boy named Gran, who dreams to become a skyfarer like his father.

One day, Gran saves Lyria but he is badly hurt. She saves him by sharing her power. Lyria was held hostage by the Empire for her ability to control Primal Beasts.

As Gran and Lyria begin their journey together, he is join by his lizard-like friend Vyrn and Lyria’s protector, Katalina Alize (A former lieutenant of the Empire who saved Lyria and is now branded a traitor).

Along the way they meet others who join them on their journey.

A-1 Pictures have always done a great job with animation for their series and “Granblue Fantasy” is no exception. There is a different in the fact that the character designs use a sketch like feature for the edges instead of the usual solid lines, so the characters art looks as if it was drawn. So, it’s a different style that some people may be used to. Also, the series featured detailed art backgrounds.

The Blu-ray release comes with a slipcase which includes an 86-page character art booklet, two exclusive character cards and also a 34 minute, 11 track original soundtrack #02. And I have to say that it’s a wonderful soundtrack!

In episode 8, we are introduced to two treasure hunters, Mary and Karva.

In volume 2 (episodes 8-12), the series focuses on the group’s journey, learning on how the Erste Empire have been experimenting on Auguste’s sea but focusing primarily on the relationship between Gran and Lyria culminating into everyone that Gran and Lyria have met teaming up together to help Leviathan, who was thought to be attacking soldiers near the capital of the Auguste Isles.

There isn’t any significant finale and it’s not known if there will be anymore episodes, considering this is a series based on an RPG, you would expect to see more. But you are given two OVA episodes.

The first OVA features how a girl named Djeeta meets Lyria in the isolated island of Zinkenstill and the group enjoying a time of rest and relaxation and hanging out in the beach.

While the second OVA is about Lyria, Djeeta, Vyrn, Fairy and Cagliostro others enjoying a Pumpkin Halloween Festival (when the souls of departed visit the town) and experiencing the festivities in town.

Overall, “Granblue Fantasy: The Animation” is for the fans who loved the RPG game and one can look at the series as an extension of it. Each episode featuring a group experiencing various missions and exploring character dynamics and relationship with the main male and female protagonist. At 12 episodes and two OVA’s, one can see each episode as adventures experienced by a group, rather than a storyline with a definitive finale. But still, for RPG video game fans, the anime series is enjoyable and entertaining despite being a short anime series.

But it’s a series worth checking out, especially if you purchased the first volume!

Purchase from RightStuf