Knights Of Sidonia S1 E7: Resolve

"I wanted to draw things that don't exist in the real world."

-Tsutomu Nikei, Anime News Network (2016)-





For large, visually immersive and expansive worlds Tsutomu Nikei never fails to create something special whenever his imagination is put to pen and pencil. Knights Of Sidonia was the next elevation into the mind of Nikei.

The next phase in his evolution as an artist and world builder was Knights Of Sidonia. For the confinement that is Sidonia it is at once a world that is vast, complex and seemingly unending in itself.



As an animation Knights Of Sidonia is at once unique and unusual and yet there is a kind of accessibility to the series that seemed elusive in Tsutomu Nihei's' disconnected, isolated, unending world of Blame!.

Blame! involved the story of an interminable city world, but there was a kind of obtuse, impenetrability to the seemingly wordless manga as well as the adapted Netflix film. Personally the manga is jaw-dropping and essential.



The Blame! manga was truly a glorious masterpiece to this writer though maybe not for everyone. The artwork is a truly stunning exercise in artistic vision that seemed an endless labyrinth into an artist's mind. Nihei brilliantly executes idea and concept to paper to create a fresh unseen universe to the human eye.

Knights Of Sidonia on the other hand captures the beauty and the essence of that endless world within its self-contained Sidonia seed ship universe. Though finite the ship seemingly goes on forever inside and once again Nihei staggers the eyes of a reader's imagination.



Both series are explorations in isolation, but there is a humanity to Knights Of Sidonia that gives it an accessibility perhaps absent from his masterpiece. Nevertheless all of Nihei's creations are intertwined. Blame!, Knights Of Sidonia, Biomega, NOiSE, Abara and APOSIMZ all live comfortably inside of Nihei's master plan. There are linking elements to all of his world-building. This is mythology and world-building at its finest.

The creators of this series, Knights Of Sidonia, have done the manga justice much more so than Netflix did with its more humanist interpretation of the Blame! manga. Everything that was wrong about the Netflix film created from the lengthy Blame! manga series is right about this more faithfully adapted series from the Knights Of Sidonia books.



So we continue with our own personal resolve to explore the remarkable, inspired world of Sidonia with Knights Of Sidonia, Season One, Episode 7, Resolve.

The series continues its seamless movement between cel-like animation and computer-generated creations. Perhaps the bulk of it is created on computers, but the look of the animation is gritty and detailed and nearly as good as some of the finest animation ever created in anime.



As a science fiction it's easily as exhilarating as a thrill ride as Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009) and just as emotional. As exciting as the visuals are Nihei has a a lot on his mind in creating the world of Knights Of Sidonia and it is a fascinating excursion and escape into that place. Just as impressive as its world is Nihei's surprising attention to character which translates wonderfully to screen.

Resolve opens with a thrilling effort by the garde to take out an alien gauna. It ends with criticism of pilot Nagate Tanikaze's failure to dismember the gauna resulting in the death of Shizuka Hoshijiro. But is she?



Tanikaze discovers the outcome of that assault in flashback. Further, it's not just told to us or talked to us (as some anime will often expound about events) but it is visualized.

The beautiful thing about Knights Of Sidonia is how as a science fiction it weaves elements of horror and dramatic subtext into its story so effortlessly. It's at once gritty and disturbing with nearly equal parts heart wrenching character moments. But the story never backs down from its own unique identity as an anime and that is in large part due to Nihei's intelligent ambitions as a writer. The animators here, too, deserve a lot of credit for bringing his vision to life whereby Blame! has yet to be fully realized as it should. Instead of a single film that manga must be a series. Knights Of Sidonia is given a chance to alternate between place and character to its pacing success.



Nihei's world involves a labyrinthine structure compounded by interpersonal human relationships, politics, and public opinion all within the mighty seed ship Sidonia. Activists are anti-military and naively believe the guana will leave them alone if they disarm. They would also like to leave Sidonia---why aren't these people shown the airlock already?

Further Nihei's creation, Knights Of Sidonia, is a self-sustaining work and self-contained science fiction work within a larger and even more complex multiverse of manga and literature as noted earlier. Nihei continues to astound this writer as a lover of science fiction himself.



Nihei's ability to weave and interlock these wildly interconnected and beautiful worlds through character and mythology or haunting structures from his own limitless personal imagination is staggering and something to behold. This writer continues to be lured into his unique, original storytelling gifts for science fiction. Nihei indeed shows a personal resolve creatively that is uniquely his own.

Resolve propels the story forward and is dramatically as quick as a propelling garde unit with a mission through space.

Though it's Nihei's passion, it's not just about the sights in Sidonia.

There is much more than meets the eye.

 

Knights Of Sidonia S1 E6: Salutations

"Once upon a time this ship had a hero defending it.

I'd like you to become a Knight of Sidonia."

-Captain Kobayashi-

Nagate Tanikaze and Shizuka Hoshijiro are rescued and returned to Sidonia.




It is there that news rings out across the vast seed ship declaring Tanikaze as something of a hero.

Utilizing the Tsugumori, a Garde used in the legendary Fourth Guana assault, he has destroyed "single-handedly" a Guana. It is perceived he may be the "second coming of the Knight Of Sidonia."

The mythology grows in Knights Of Sidonia, Season One, Episode 6, Salutations.

Kobayashi visits the Immortal Ship Committee for guidance.

These moments continue to reveal details concerning the world of seed ship Sidonia.



Hiroki Saito mentored Tanikaze. Tanikaze is the late Hiroki's successor. Captain Kobayashi acts as Tanikaze's guardian. But Kobayashi knows that Nagate's piloting skills are essential as Sidonia reaches deep into Guana territory.

The consultation between Kobayashi and the Committee suggests the group wants the best for Sidonia and her survival. The immortals see Nagate as nothing more than a means to an end. Should the boy become a problem the suggestion by the group is that Kobayashi will "cut him loose." A heart is not required to live forever.

What's most fascinating about Knights Of Sidonia is the microcosm of humanity's trials and tribulations as presented within the great seed ship.



There is joy and celebration amongst the population over the return of Nagate and Hoshijiro yet there are also violent anti-military protests on the flips side.

Sidonia presents all of the beauty and flaws and suffering of our own civilization within its own walls and, relatively speaking, small universe. The story tells us no matter how far we come or how far we go or no matter our efforts just to simply survive out in the cosmos humanity will never find true peace in the universe or with each other.



There is no place in the universe that will quiet our DNA to fight or to struggle. All we can hope for is to find those that choose to live and love and share values while clearly others prefer chaos and conflict. Social unrest and upheavel will endure. We can only hope to contain all others who seek strife or at least find some common ground, but the battles will exist within our own lives as much as they might against the monsters around us. The fact is the monsters are among us now and they won't be going away anytime soon. What a timely story reminding us that some things never change and have the potential to worsen.



Even as Sidonia fights a mortal enemy from outer space people within Sidonia fight their own in protest against the war effort. These same battles face fellow countrymen today. There are those that would wish us wiped off the map and yet we must fight one another to wage that fight for survival.

As a result of their success Tankiaze and Hoshijiro are promoted from cadets to full-fledged Garde pilots. They will be joining Norio Kunato and En Honoka.

Kobayashi even informs Tanikaze she would like to essentially knight him as a Knight Of Sidonia, a protector of the realm.



Salutations builds upon what was first established in Adrift between Tanikaze and Hoshijiro---a love connection. The feelings the two have for one another transcend all that swirls around them. They are indeed linked by the heart and Salutations deepens their warmth toward one another. Most of all Salutations is the episode that cements Tanikaze's love for Hoshijiro.

Salutations also enjoys exploring life back upon Sidonia and concludes on a unique note and cliffhanger.

Following a night spent in each other's company, Tanikaze and Hoshijiro are deployed to fight another Guana with their team.



Instead of the heat of battle, Salutations cuts to Tanikaze wounded and waking following his return to Sidonia only to learn he had fallen unconscious in battling the multi-segmented creature.

More horrifying and cutting Tanikaze to his own core is learning that the girl in which he is falling in love with has been killed in the fight. Shizuka Hoshijiro he learns is dead. She has perished in the fight. Hello, greetings and salutations Tanikaze and welcome back from battle.

Knights Of Sidonia continues to flesh out character and enjoy building on the mythology of Sidonia herself and breaking from expected anime conventions as she goes steadily into the dark of space. It does so steadily and breathes as it goes along with some beautiful animation. It's a rare space yarn especially as anime goes.

 

Knights Of Sidonia S1 E5: Adrift

"You should do whatever you have to do to survive in any situation."

-Tanikaze-

Japanese manga artist Tsutomu Nihei has created some pretty dynamic, eye-popping artwork. The manga artist is the brains behind Biomega (2004-2009), Noise (2001), Blame! (1998-2003) and of course, our spotlight here at Musings Of A Sci-Fi Fanatic, Knights Of Sidonia (2009-2015).

With the release of Netflix original animated film, Blame! (2017), and to celebrate the work of Nihei, it was time for another look at the anime adaptation of his soon to be heralded classic. Knights Of Sidonia (2014-2015), by Sadayuki Murai and director Kobun Shizuno, is something special and remains true to the Nihei manga. Murai would collaborate with Nihei for the Netflix film Blame!.



Thus far, the first four episodes of Knights Of Sidonia have delivered the perfect balance of action and character in the classic space opera mold but with plenty of twist. The latest installment offers another completely unexpected approach in style to science fiction conventions with which the series enjoys to challenge us.

Knights Of Sidonia, Season One, Episode 5, Adrift is here.

The story focuses almost solely on Shizuka Hoshijiro and Nagate Tanikaze.

Adrift in her orb-shaped escape pod following her defeat at the hands of the Guana Hoshijiro is rescued by Tanikaze.

Tanikaze's Garde unit is damaged and limited with a severed arm following his success in destroying the Guana as covered in Episode 4, Sacrifices here.



Tanikaze is warned not to proceed toward Hoshijiro's trajectory because it will take him away from the lifeboat vessel that is Sidonia unable to return safely. Tanikaze defies the odds to rescue Hoshijiro. He passes the point of no return.

Heroically Tanikaze reaches Hoshijiro's life pod. He exits his Garde now on reserve and back up power. Using a jet pack he makes his way to her pod to bring Hoshijiro back to his Garde unit.

Back at the damaged Garde unit Tanikaze, clearly smitten with Hoshijiro, and Hoshijiro with Tanikaze, take residence and the two work together to insure their mutual survival.



Adrift in space the two work their intellect to ensure survival manually attempting to restore the Heigus particle supply through a type of solar capture. The Heigus particle supply is what powers the Garde unit.

All of this happens appropriately in the quiet of space. The dead of space is never interrupted by annoying J-pop tunes or needless noise. The episode is effective for its embrace of silence as the two pilots simply exchange simple ideas and normal banter with nothing more than their own company. These quiet moments are quite beautiful.

The use of music is minimalist in approach if at all. It's affecting and quite reminiscent of Makoto Shinkai's exquisite Voice Of A Distant Star (2005) here.



The simple fact these two have one another further highlights just how alone an individual would be in space alone. It's not nearly as lonely with two.

The bravery of Tanikaze to rescue Hoshijiro speaks to his incredible character.

So often in anime there is this idea of a chosen one, both male and female. Some may be reluctant and not at all cock sure. You had reluctant pilot Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996). Thanks to director Hideaki Anno Shinji was a psychologically traumatized fourteen year old with serious parent issues but with some degree of skill or destiny.



The number of young male, never mind female, pilots in anime are almost too many to count. Reluctant, head strong, cocky. You name it and anime has it. Noah Izumi (Mobile Police Patlabor), Asuka (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Noriko Takaya (Gunbuster). The list goes on.

Tanikaze is skilled and well-trained but certainly not infused with confidence and bravado.

In live action film, you even have young Ender Wiggins in a film like Ender's Game (2013).

But here in Knights Of Sidonia, Tanikaze is determined and focused if not also in love.



Together the two assess their life support and estimate they have ten days between them. The two work in a very small compartment inside the Garde to stay alive.

Survival episodes in science fiction are often quite thrilling. UFO's Sub-Smash (1970), Battlestar Galactica's You Can't Go Home Again (2004) and Stargate Atlantis' Grace Under Pressure (2006) are just a few splendid examples.

At one point Hoshijiro sheds her suit and simply floats as she is able to gain sustenance from simply photosynthesizing. Naked and with Tanikaze turned away from her the two simply talk and the moments continue to fill in these character voids beautifully.



Breaking from the drifting couple, Adrift takes us back to Sidonia for some historical back story regarding the Gauna and the discovery of a mysterious pyramid-like structure with a substance called Kabi, the only known substance capable of penetrating a Guana core because a Guana will literally stick to it.

We also learn Captain Kobayashi and Lala Hiyama, the talking bear, are the last two surviving members of the original strike team 600 years ago placing them amongst the Immortals. Nagate's grandfather, Hiroki Saito, was one of the Immortals who went underground.

Intriguing, and this writer is not versed enough to make the connection yet if any, but a talking bear (not Lala) also appears in Tsutomu Nihei's manga Biomega (2004-2009) (see image below) complete with the hand hook. So there is indeed some cross universe mythology building from Nihei.



Also, the Earth was split in two by the Guana and may explain why survivors were launched aboard the seed ships.

And when the Guana came they were shaped like humans. This is a very Japanese theme. Think of the human-like creatures in Attack On Titan (2013-present) or the humanoid creatures of kaiju eiga like the one found in Daimajin (1966). Consider if you will the man in a rubber suit. There is something to these often humanoid features that speak to humanity's battle with itself. Knights Of Sidonia works with these very Japanese science fiction conventions.



And so, not surprisingly, Hoshijiro believes the Guana may desire communication, but because we are different and perhaps communicate differently are unable to work with us. This, again, speaks to humanity's own inability to communicate across cultures. And of course with one culture desiring to kill another or another with a hardened, unwavering belief system it makes healthy communication difficult.

Dehydrated and with time running out Tanikaze grows weaker due to an inability to photosynthesize. Hoshijiro filters her urine for water to nourish Tanikaze.



In the end the two young pilots are rescued by a full fleet of Garde units violating normal protocols to bring Tanikaze and Hoshijiro home. But why? Because Tanikaze is special.

Adrift works magnificently well as a simple lifeboat tale for two in the dead of space. It's simple, affecting and beautifully executed. Not to mention Knights Of Sidonia continues to be a gorgeously rendered animation with a wonderful color palette for space. This is animated science fiction at its very best.