Elemetal Gelade illustrates how love and trust overcome the boundaries of race.
Main Genre: Fantasy/Action
Sub Genre: Romance/Drama
No. of Episodes: 26
Publishers: Geneon, Funimation.
Synopsis: In the fantasy world of Guardia there exists a mystical race called the Edel Raids. Their exterior appearance are identical to that of a human female except for a shiny colored stone embedded into their bodies. This stone is called the “Elemental Gelade.” This stone gives the Edel Raid the supernatural ability to merge their souls with that of a host and create a weapon with magical powers for the host to utilize; this process is called “React.” Cou Van Giruet, an aspiring sky pirate, stumbles upon the sleeping Reverie Methelence (Ren), an Edel Raid with vast magical powers, and accidentally wakes her up from her long sleep. While all of this was happening, Cou’s airship was suddenly attacked by masked ninjas bent on kidnapping Ren. Cou tries to protect Ren but is clearly overpowered. Moved by Cou’s actions, Ren decides to “React” with him and gives him the means to fight. Cou and Ren are now on the run from the mysterious organization set on kidnapping Ren and using her powers to take over the world.
Art Style: This series utilizes bright vibrant colors as well as pastel colors for the characters and environments. Once-in-a-while, the series uses super-deformed style during comic scenes. The use of straight lines in the art style is more evident than the use of curve lines.
Themes: I honestly thought that Elemental Gelade was going to be another cliché anime but was I wrong. There hasn’t been an anime that described and explored the destructive, harmful, and often regrettable effects of racial discrimination since Daimos. In the world of Elemental Gelade, the human-like creatures called Edel Raid, as mentioned before, are the main focus of the story. Unfortunately, despite their human-like appearance, the Edel Raid, are considered as mere tools, weapons, valuable commodities to be bought and sold. The treatment became so bad that an organization composed of humans and Edel Raid alike called Arc Aile was formed to stop this heinous treatment. The treatment of Edel Raids improved because of the formation of Arc Aile but in most parts of Guardia especially the rural parts where Arc Aile does not have any authority, the Edel Raid are still considered objects. War between humans and Edel Raids has been going on for centuries. The Edel Raids despised the human for the heinous treatment that they have received through the centuries. They were objectified, abused and taken against their will. The humans, on the other hand, feared and hated the Edel Raids for the powers that they possessed. Humans believed that should be controlled while others believed that they should be locked away from the rest of the world. It is only through Cou and Ren that the world stood a chance of finally attaining peace because they served as examples for others that despite their differences, humans and Edel Raids can love each others, trust each other, believe in one another and fight together for a brighter, peaceful future.
Main Genre: Fantasy/Action
Sub Genre: Romance/Drama
No. of Episodes: 26
Publishers: Geneon, Funimation.
Synopsis: In the fantasy world of Guardia there exists a mystical race called the Edel Raids. Their exterior appearance are identical to that of a human female except for a shiny colored stone embedded into their bodies. This stone is called the “Elemental Gelade.” This stone gives the Edel Raid the supernatural ability to merge their souls with that of a host and create a weapon with magical powers for the host to utilize; this process is called “React.” Cou Van Giruet, an aspiring sky pirate, stumbles upon the sleeping Reverie Methelence (Ren), an Edel Raid with vast magical powers, and accidentally wakes her up from her long sleep. While all of this was happening, Cou’s airship was suddenly attacked by masked ninjas bent on kidnapping Ren. Cou tries to protect Ren but is clearly overpowered. Moved by Cou’s actions, Ren decides to “React” with him and gives him the means to fight. Cou and Ren are now on the run from the mysterious organization set on kidnapping Ren and using her powers to take over the world.
Art Style: This series utilizes bright vibrant colors as well as pastel colors for the characters and environments. Once-in-a-while, the series uses super-deformed style during comic scenes. The use of straight lines in the art style is more evident than the use of curve lines.
Themes: I honestly thought that Elemental Gelade was going to be another cliché anime but was I wrong. There hasn’t been an anime that described and explored the destructive, harmful, and often regrettable effects of racial discrimination since Daimos. In the world of Elemental Gelade, the human-like creatures called Edel Raid, as mentioned before, are the main focus of the story. Unfortunately, despite their human-like appearance, the Edel Raid, are considered as mere tools, weapons, valuable commodities to be bought and sold. The treatment became so bad that an organization composed of humans and Edel Raid alike called Arc Aile was formed to stop this heinous treatment. The treatment of Edel Raids improved because of the formation of Arc Aile but in most parts of Guardia especially the rural parts where Arc Aile does not have any authority, the Edel Raid are still considered objects. War between humans and Edel Raids has been going on for centuries. The Edel Raids despised the human for the heinous treatment that they have received through the centuries. They were objectified, abused and taken against their will. The humans, on the other hand, feared and hated the Edel Raids for the powers that they possessed. Humans believed that should be controlled while others believed that they should be locked away from the rest of the world. It is only through Cou and Ren that the world stood a chance of finally attaining peace because they served as examples for others that despite their differences, humans and Edel Raids can love each others, trust each other, believe in one another and fight together for a brighter, peaceful future.
Closing: Just by looking at the art style of Elemetal Gelade, one would assume that it’s a “kiddy” series and that the target audiences of the show are children but I firmly believe the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Elemtal Gelade has so much more to offer. It is a story filled with action, adventure and emotions that you wouldn’t expect from an anime targeted for younger audiences. This show also effectively creates awareness about racial discrimination and that these differences make us unique and special in our own way. It is by accepting these differences that we become better people.
Ratings: 4.85/5 Stars Excellent
Recommendations of where to buy:
Rightstuf.com $52.49
Bestbuy.com $49.99
Below is the Opening Theme for Elemental Gelade. Source: Chaosloki, youtbe.com
Ratings: 4.85/5 Stars Excellent
Recommendations of where to buy:
Rightstuf.com $52.49
Bestbuy.com $49.99
Below is the Opening Theme for Elemental Gelade. Source: Chaosloki, youtbe.com
