Geneshaft
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| Geneshaft | |
|---|---|
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| ジーンシャフト | |
| Genre | Adventure, Mecha, Science fiction |
| TV anime | |
| Directed by | Kazuki Akane |
| Studio | Bandai Visual |
| Network |  WOWOWAnimax |
| Original run | 2001-04-15 – 2001-06-28 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
Geneshaft (ジーンシャフト jīn shafuto?) is a Japanese science fiction anime television series set in space, created by Bandai Visual in 2001, and directed by Kazuki Akane (of Escaflowne fame). It was broadcast on the WOWOW network and was translated and dubbed into English by the anime television network Animax, who broadcast it within its respective networks in Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and around the world.
The story revolves around the voyages of the Bilkis spaceship across the Solar system, and its crew of genetically engineered humans, as they attempt to uncover the mysteries of an alien technology threatening to destroy the Earth, and whose nature may reveal the true origins and destiny of humanity in the late 23rd century.
The series is characterized by its exploration of the theme of genetic engineering, and the possible consequences of this technology dominating and defining future human society. It also contains a distinctive Metal soundtrack with electronica elements (composed by Akira Takasaki), often featuring electric guitar solos at dramatic moments.
Featured as a central plot element is the 'Shaft', a Mecha with a peculiar appearance. Made entirely using CGI, this barely-humanoid robot seems to be made of structures resembling gray mechanical cranes, lacking appealing characteristics common to other Mecha, such as bright colors or even a 'head'.
Contents |
[edit] Story
Geneshaft is set in a future where genetic engineering is the dominating technology, defining society entirely. The government of Earth is totalitarian and as a result there has been peace for 200 years. The government is in control of human reproduction, and is in charge of all (artificial) births, as well as altering the genetic characteristics of each new individual, according to their function in society. One such alteration common to all individuals limit their lifespan to 45 years, in order to limit the extent of aging so that they remain healthy and able throughout all of their adult lives.
People are largely rated by the quality of their DNA, and those whose DNA is relatively unrefined, such as those of the 'white' gene type, are generally considered inferior. In order to prevent irrational behavior caused by strong emotional attachment, family structures have been disbanded, and the emotions of love and lust eliminated. The ratio of men to women is 1:9, as it is considered that males are more aggressive than females, and this was part of what led past societies to destruction. Modern society is completely peaceful, the few men typically having leading positions and commonly being of gene types granting them enhanced decision-making skills, while females are in charge of lesser positions. Men are assigned Registers - emotionless, drone-like women - whose purpose is to document all actions that a man takes, as men's DNA contains elements of destructive desires that cannot be eliminated, while acting as his assistant.
The story begins at the time when a 500 kilometer in diameter ring-shaped structure had appeared near the Earth five years prior. Dispatched from nearby Markanan space station, several female astronauts were about to investigate its nature when it produces a massive energy blast which destroys the space station and a large portion of the surface of the Earth, after which it disappears. This instigates the creation of a special group of men and women with specific genetic characteristics, who are set out aboard the Bilkis spaceship to investigate the origins of the ring, and the possible connection with mysterious alien technology found in Jupiter's moon Ganymede.
During their voyages they encounter several instances of the Ring technology, which they fight with the giant 'Shaft' mecha, also of mysterious origins and which requires very special skills to be piloted. Along the way, they also encounter situations with other humans from the present and the past, which makes them question their nature as 'superior', and raise doubts about how 'perfect' their society really is.
[edit] Characters
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This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
- Mika Seido
- Mika is the main character of the story. She is short but has considerable strength, though it is explained that she has the genetype white, leading to her being mocked by other characters as being inferior.
- Voiced by: Kumiko Higa (Japanese), Amanda Winn Lee (English)
- Sofia Galgalim
- Sofia is a colleague of Mika and was previously working as an underwater salvager. She has the alias of Teddybear of the Moon.
- Voiced by: Yuko Kaida (Japanese), Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (English)
- Hiroto Amagiwa
- Hiroto is an enemy of Mika because of events that took place prior to the beginning of the story. Mika swears that she will kill him.
- Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese), Dominic Armato (English)
- Tiki Musicanova
- Tiki who appears to be an energetic young girl is known as the Hell's Faerie from the Kerberos base on Mars where on the thirteenth operation she decimated an entire platoon by herself. She is also known as Tinkerbell and is the twin sister of Mario.
- Voiced by: Houko Kuwashima (Japanese), Sandy Fox (English)
- Lieutenant Mir Lotus
- Mir, commonly known as the Ice Queen is a conceited, egotistical woman whose DNA grants her perfect skills.
- Voiced by: Yumi Kakazu (Japanese), Paula Tiso (English)
- Remmy Levistrauss
- Remmy is an analytical girl who is supportive of, and seeks acknowledgment from other people. Sometimes called the Desert Medusa.
- Voiced by: Ryoka Yuzuki (Japanese), Brianne Siddall (English)
- Lord Sergei the 4th Sneak
- A commander who shoots his Register and is found to be plotting against the human race.
- Voiced by: Shinji Kawada (Japanese), Jamieson Prince (English)
[edit] Details
[edit] Episode guide
| # | Japanese title | English title |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 惑星（ほし）を継ぐもの | Successors to the Stars |
| 2. | 歌う戦艦（ふね） | The Ship Who Sang |
| 3. | 宇宙（そら）のランデブー | Rendezvous in Space |
| 4. | 前哨 | The Sentinel |
| 5. | 天使と宇宙船 | Angels and Spaceships |
| 6. | 過去からのホットライン | Hotline from the Past |
| 7. | リング・ワールド | Ring World |
| 8. | リング・ワールド | The Moon is a Harsh Lord of the Darkness |
| 9. | 人間以下 | Less Than Human |
| 10. | 女たちの知らない男 | The Men Women Don’t See |
| 11. | 成長への儀式 | Rite of Passage |
| 12. | ガニメデの優しい男 | A Gentle Man In Ganymede |
| 13. | 幼年期の始まり | The Beginning of Childhood |
[edit] Theme music
Opening:
- "Shaft Drive" by Akira Takasaki/Ji-Zo
Ending:
- "Broken Camera" by Ji-Zo
- "The Day Believe All Things" by Akira Takasaki (Episode 13)
[edit] Critical reviews
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This section is currently a list, and needs cleanup. A good lead should be written for this, and/or the entire section converted to prose. Once this task is complete, please remove this message. (talk, help, how to edit) |
| Source | Reviewer | Grade / Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anime News Network | Zac Bertschy | Overall: C- (for English dubbed), C (for subtitled) Story: C Animation: B+ Art: B Music: B+ |
Volume 1 review |
| Anime Jump | Christian Nutt | 1 out of 5 | Volume 1 review |
| Needcoffee | Dindrane | 4.5 out of 5 | Volume 1 review |
| DVD Talk | Don Houston | 4 out of 5 | Volume 3 review |
| AnimeOnDVD | Chris Beveridge | Content: B+ Audio: B+ Video: A- Packaging: B+ Menus: B Extras: B |
Volume 4 review |
| DVD Verdict | Rob Lineberger | 83 out of 100 | Volume 4 review |
| Anime Planet | requiem | 6 out of 10 | Full review |
| THEM Anime Reviews | Diane Tiu | 4 out of 5 | Full review |
[edit] External links
- Official English Website
- Official Japanese Website
- Geneshaft at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
