XSp.

After a long time without writing new posts for the Anime Discussion series, here we are again. This time with Last EXILE.

The Anime Discussion series is focused on animes with adult or really deep themes (not meaning erotic or violent content), a little to serve as recommendation to more serious themes in japanese animation, a little so you can show to your friends/parents/relatives that animes are not for kids only.

Last EXILE is an anime worthy of the series for two main reasons: First, the artwork. Second, the world it takes place.

Last EXILE centers the story on Claus and Lavie, childhood friends and at the beginning of the anime, pilot and co-pilot of a typical airship known as vanship.
The setting isn’t Earth, and it mixes themes like the Victorian era and Steampunk in a planet called Prester where the world evolved around flying vehicles due to the strange geography of the planet.

Despite having a linear plot (unlike Serial Experiments Lain for instance), the story is still kinda complex because it involves a number of complex themes, such as: politics, castes, war, and a mystery that starts on the beginning of the anime and will only be completely unveiled on the last episode.

Like other animes discussed, this one happens in a kind of alternative world, but still has several points that can be brought to our world.
War, prejudice, the importance of pure and clean water, human relationship and feelings, class gap and some other themes are food for brain here. 😀

Oh yeah, about the amazing character designs: They were made by the one and only Range Murata, who’s also worked in Blue Submarine N.6 and manga compilations like Robot Color Comics.
In several ways, Last EXILE reminds me of Kaze no Tani no Nausicaa, for the war and political content.

Ok, I think this is enough… here, watch the opening: