Scyred is...different, to me at least. Really, maybe, it isn't like most of the anime I've watched, and it really isn't something I would have picked up if I just saw it. Maybe, I have been in the shadow of mecha anime too much.
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It's all good though, from story development to character design, it's great stuff, and I really owe Dragoon for making me buy it XD. I'd put it in one category, but that is really limiting it. But, I suppose action with plot is the best way to go. This series is good. Simple on the surface, it has many parts that lie in wait to catch you, as if you had a choice not to be caught XD. I'll admit it starts off slow, and the first 2 episodes actually take place at the same time, but damn if it doesn't pick up till the very end. (and episode 26 ends with...a lot of adrenaline).
It starts off with action, um, well a dream sequence then action. Kazuma is an Alter user. What is an Alter user? Some 20 years ago a huge rift in the plates sends the Kanagawa prefecture into a state of chaos. For just a plat shifting a rather large upheaval of stone took place, jutting out extremely high. With the infrastructure and surrounding land damaged the government moved out of the area, leaving it a lawless land, known as "The Lost Ground." Ever since then births with odd genetic mutations have been recorded.
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This 2% of the population are know as Alter users, that is, people with the inane ability to deconstruct matter from 'the other side' and reconstruct it to fit into their own personality. Kazuma, one of the main characters, is a rather rash and hot headed Alter user, a Native Alter. Native Alters are those that do not live within the confines of the wall and the protection of Holy. Starting the series with a grand show of what an Alter is, it ends the episode with the first encounter with Holy, the special Alter division of Hold.
Holy was formed to reclaim the lost land and to 'tame' (so to speak) the Native Alters into coexisting with those of the city and the mainland. Commander Jigmar is the head of Holy and also the first known Alter user. The man that goes out and takes care of business, however, is Ryuhou. As usual when they receive a call of Alter activity they rush out to take care of it, a normal routine The meeting between Ryuhou and Kazuma would be anything but normal though. Kazuma, while rash and definitely one of the stronger Native Alters, was nothing for Ryuhou, and his Alter. But, the one fight that puts Kazuma in the hands of Holy also triggers something in Kazuma that gives him the strength and power to become more than he is.
Characters
*note: some things have been left out to avoid spoilers*
Kazuma-(Age 16) Alloy type Alter user. Lives in the lost land with Kanami (relationship unknown....wife to be maybe? XD) Takes jobs as a mercenary, but usually brings home little money.
Ryuhou-(Age 17) Alter user from the Mainland. Memory of the past urges him on his quest to gather the Native Alters and reclaim the Lost Ground.
Kanami-(Age 8) Kanami is Kazuma's little sister figure, though her past is unclear. Despite her young age Kanami is more reliable than Kazuma when it comes to everyday things and supports the two by working on a farm.
Scheris-(Age 15) A younger member of Holy, she idolizes Ryuhou who she holds deeply in her heart, despite the fact that he feels nothing of the sort for her. The appearance of Mimori only complicates things further.
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Kimishima-(Age 17) He has a first name, but I don't think it is ever used. A normal resident of the Lost Ground, he gives Kazuma the missions that he completes. Though they might argue some, Kazuma and him are best friends, and with Kanami they form the only type of family they will ever know.
Mimori-(Age 18) A very smart girl, she graduated from graduate school at the age of 18. She knew Ryuhou as a child, and after school decided to join Holy to see him again and help out. But she finds the Ryuhou she knew to be gone now.
Straight Cougar-(Age 21) The fastest Alter user in Holy, and most likely the fastest in the world, speed runs his life. Whether it is talking, reading, or driving he goes as fast as possible, 'shrinking' the world as it is.
Animation/Sound
If you've been following Gundam lately, or watched any of SEED, then you'll most likely notice the characters in it and Scyred are very much alike, most noticeable the noses. Character Designer/Chief Character Animation Director Hisashi Hirai also worked on SEED, and I'm almost positive (correct me if I'm wrong) the same animation studio did both. The characters are very well drawn, very well design. From the hotheaded Kazuma to the cute Kanami all of them seem to match their personalities inch for inch. Ryuhou has the cold stare that one would expect for you character. The animation is flawless, and very very lively.
Sound is very important, and thankfully Scryed hits the nail on the head. Sounds are all very nicely recorded, no odd or strange noises abound. The Music, by Kotaro Nakagawa is great. From dark, reflective tones to village-like music everything seems to fit. The fights usually have jazz music of sorts to accompany them, which most likely was taken from Cowboy Bebop. (or maybe Japanese people really like jazz?) It's all real nice though.
Conclusion
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It's Scryed, buy it, get it, love it, eat it...scratch that last one. Though some might call it 'simple' for it's lack of lofty themes from the get go, anyone who watches up to episode 8 will notice some deep plot movements and dark story line churning underneath the seemingly 'actiony' surface. It's a shame that some will dismiss this as yet another action anime, because give the chance you'll get emotionally drawn into one of the most interesting, and sad animas I've seen. Characters are very likable, except the bad ones, which give us more than enough reason to hate them, or me anyway.
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It has a very lively opening theme that kinda just makes you want you own alter, and trust me, after seeing some of the fights you'll be surprised how many people go around yelling about 'Shockwave of the first bullet.' The voice acting...I can't comment on. Why? I've only heard the Japanese voices, as I bought this series a few months ago. But, though it's hearsay, all my friends say the voices where rather well casted. In short, get this anime soon, because the more that watch it, the more people I can talk to about it.
Extra
26 episodes
22 mins each (or so)
Total running time of 572 mins (give or take) 10 hours (approx.)
Planning: Sunrise
Original Concept Hajime: Yatate
Executive Producers: Keisuke Iwata (TV Tokyo), Shinichiro Kobayashi, Hisanori Kunizaki
Screenplay: Yosuke Kuroda
Chief Unit Director: Takeshi Yoshimoto
Sound Director: Yasuo Urakami
Recording Studio: APU Studio
Music: Kotaro Nakagawa
Music Producer:Yoshimoto Ishikawa
Director: Goro Taniguchi
Produced by: TV Tokyo, Yomiko Advertising, Sunrise
English Adaptation Produced by: BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Opening Theme Song: "Reckless Fire"
Performed by: Yasuaki Ide
Lyrics by: Mikio Sakai
Composed and Arranged by: Hideyuki Daichi Suzuki (Victor Entertainment)
Ending Theme Song: "Drastic My Soul"
Performed, Lyrics, Composed, Arranged by: Mikio Sakai (Victor Entertainment)
There is a s.CRY.ed manga out by Tokyo Pop as well.
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