Mar 19, 2021
I thought this take on "Romeo & Juliet" was pretty good, although I was disappointed with where the story of “Kimi Seisen” went.
I really enjoyed the synopsis of the story and the blooming romance between the two. Iska and Alice's interactions were very cute and I loved all the down times they had in the neutral city. Their relationship alone would've been fine if it was your average romantic drama but that's not the setting setting of the anime. We're told in the beginning of the first episode that these two countries, the Empire and the Nebulis Sovereignty, are fighting and have been at war
...
for the last 100 years. With this conflict going on, it's impossible for Iska or Alice to enter a relationship but that's the thing: I don't see enough conflict!
Stakes are risen high every episode with the introduction of something that could shift the balance of power... but it kind of feels lackluster whenever Iska handles it on his own or when Alice lends him a hand or vice-versa. I didn't really like reading "Romeo & Juliet" because honestly those two were dumb, BUT at least there were consequences for their actions. I was never on the edge of my seat with fingers crossed hoping the two sides would be safe because they never seemed to face any direct consequences for their actions. Towards the end of the last episode, we see the beginnings of a potential consequence but we won't know unless the series gets a second season. While I love seeing their relationship develop further, I think this story suffers from not fully delivering the war to us and downplaying certain plot points.
There are plenty of issues that are swept under the rug for the sake of romance that I just can’t get behind. Iska’s unit discovers a huge bombshell and don’t even think twice about helping a certain character EVEN THOUGH it contradicts what they’re fighting for as Imperial soldiers! Whenever Iska gets into fights that conflicts with his orders, he never seems to be reprimanded or simply the council never notices. I would’ve liked to see Iska contemplate over whether his approach is the right one since witches, like Alice, have been killed. From where I stand, it seems like the Empire are the bad guys here while the Sovereignty has domestic disputes centered around hierarchy and which of the royal family should succeed.
Aside from Iska and Alice, we don't really know about the characters, even the ones on Iska's own team going up against the Nebulis Sovereignty! Nene and Jhin are kind of boxed in as the kind and calm friends. I REALLY don’t like damsel-like characters like Mismis, the weak loli who has a big chest. She’s a military CAPTAIN for crying out loud! She always has tears in her eyes and forces her subordinates to help her. Alice’s maid, Rin, was probably the best of the secondary characters since she tried to act based on Sovereignty’s best interest while supporting Alice as a future queen. The Emperor was just presented to us without further explanation towards the end of the series, so I’m hoping this anime will get a second season because there’s a lot about the plot we haven’t delved into.
I really enjoyed watching this anime but I wish it did a lot more with the potential it had.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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