Xam’d: Lost Memories – also known as Bounen no Zamned in Japan – is an anime that was created by Bones, the studio behind anime such as Ouran High School Host Club, Wolf’s Rain and Fullmetal Alchemist. How does it fare compared to Bones’ other work? As the first of, possibly, many anime exclusive to the Playstation Network, does Xam’d live up to the expectations Sony has placed upon it? Read on to find out…

Xam’d is the product of Sony Computer Entertainment wanting to capitalise on the common connection between gamers and anime. Cited as one of the strongest selling points of the Playstation Network’s Video Store, Xam’d admittedly had a lot on its plate from the start. The show first aired on July 16th in America, only reaching Japan late September. Strange, really, considering that the show is Japanese audio with English subtitles. The anime has spanned 26 episodes with no plans to continue the story, although there is a spin-off manga subtitled Pilgrim of the Compass beginning in the Ace Assault magazine in Japan that will relive the events of the anime with greater depth in certain areas of the plot. The story of Xam’d is basically one of destiny, where the many protagonists face their fate in differing ways. As expected, some will embrace it while others will fight it.

The setting of the anime revolves around a conflict between the North and the South. Constantly at war, the two sides have been researching more devastating ways to destroy each other, before the North start using a weapon called Humanforms – humans changed and corrupted in an attempt to create things called “hiruko”. Akiyuki, the charismatic protagonist, becomes a Xam’d very early on in the show and the audience is not told until the latter episodes exactly what a Xam’d is. For most of the anime, the story is really just about how everyone deals with the attack on Sentan Island and the lives of the people aboard the Zanbani – an unassuming postal airship with a deep history that slowly unravels as the story progresses. One good thing about this anime is how we’re shown a lot of different perspectives, shown how everyone is affected by what has happened and what is happening now. Unusually, strong ties are made between characters you would never imagine having ties and characters you would imagine ending up as supporting characters are given the spotlight. In a way, everyone has a very important role in the story and no one is just a filler character, so to speak. Over the 26 episodes, the story flows very nicely and never feels rushed. The pace varies at times, from slow and relaxed episodes to fast paced and explosive ones, yet they never intrude upon each other.

The anime has a nice variety of characters, all with their own unique charm and past, and no two characters are really the same as each other. Akiyuki is the son of separated parents, a 16 year old boy thrown into a conflict and given a greater destiny than someone from an island as quiet as Sentan Island could ever be thrust into. Chosen by a fanatical religious cult to become their Xam’d, Akiyuki is the target of a suicide bomber early on in the show – at the same time, the North attacks Sentan Island with air-to-ground missiles and Humanform weapons. Akiyuki involuntarily turns into a Xam’d, only to rampage across the entire island destroying both the Humanform weapons and the soldiers who have come to save Sentan Island, before disappearing. His only two friends, Furuichi and Haru, both care enough about Akiyuki’s sudden disappearance that they join the Army so they can find him again – sadly, the two are changed by their experiences as soldiers in very different ways. Akiyuki soon appears on the Zanbani postal ship, where we find out more about the world and the events happening within it… We are also shown the views of the more important players in the Southern Army, which makes a refreshing change as they are not shown to be the saviours of the world or your typical good guys looking out for everyone. Overall, the characters are portrayed in very interesting ways and their personalities are solidified very early by events that the audience can actually relate to. Characters, most particularly Akushiba, will appeal to many of the audience for their interesting take on stereotypes within anime.

The music of the series is composed by Michiru Oshima, a famous Japanese composer who has worked on things such as The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Fullmetal Alchemist and Godzilla. For most of the anime, the audience will probably not even notice there is music playing in the background, something that only asserts how great the music is as it seems to just flow with the scenes without intruding upon them. The opening theme is called “Shut Up and Explode”, performed by Boom Boom Satellites, famous for their work on the Appleseed anime, and the ending theme is called “Vacancy”, which is performed by Kylee. Both songs are very catchy, the performances suiting the anime really well and the scenes accompanying them suit the songs just as well. Overall, the musical composition of the anime is just as good as the anime itself, with those performed during the anime possibly being as important in setting the scene as the spoken words and things seen.

As an anime, the show is very good. It lived up to the incredible expectations left for it by Sony, even if the ending was a little weak. The characters are memorable, the story will leave you with something to think as well as keeping your attention the entire time. Highly suggested for anyone who likes the work of Studio Bones as well as anyone who enjoys a more mature look at things that affect everyone, no matter what world they are a part of, this is an anime everyone should watch. It’s safe to say that Studio Bones have done it yet again. Personally, I just hope they release the entire anime on Bluray soon.

Wintrale Anime, Review