review provided by Katie and Andrew
Title: Atelier, Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky – The Complete Collection
Director: Yoshiaki Iwasaki
Studio: Studio Gokumi
Author: Tatsuhiko Urahata
U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23
U.S. Release Date: July 7, 2015
Format and Length: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Magic
Industry Age Rating: 14 and up
Overall Personal Rating: B
Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: .hack//Sign and Shining Hearts
Synopsis:
Ever since Escha Malier was a child, she has held two dreams deep in her heart. Those dreams are to become an Alchemist like her late mother and to one day explore the mysterious ruins that float in the sky above her home town. After years of study, she is ready to make her first dream come true by working in the R&D branch of her town’s Alchemy department. However, while she has all the knowledge and skills required to do the job, she is not quite as ready for her new coworker, Logix, or Logy, Fiscario. Escha and Logy seem to be total opposites, in everything from their attitudes on life, to where they grew up, and to the tools they prefer to use why performing Alchemy. But they must remember that when one person alone cannot save the world, the two of them working in harmony can.
Commentary:
Atelier, Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky – The Complete Collection is an adaptation of one installment in a series of role-playing games that was very enjoyable to watch. This series was almost like a slice of fantasy life because it was so episodic, however some episodes did flow together and those were the action packed episodes. Atelier, Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky – The Complete Collection also did something that other video game adaptation series usually do not do, they put the background information when necessary up on the screen so that you are not left on the dark. I am very thankful for that and it also made the series that much more enjoyable.
The characters were not deep nor did they change too much throughout the series. I believe they did this to push you to play the games. They also hinted to a relationship between Logy and Escha but they also left that up in the air. I am hoping for a second season as the ending hinted to one but you never know. The entire series focused on the fact that everyone has to work together to save the world and that one person cannot do it alone.
The animation included heavy CGI use within the battle scenes. I believe this took away from those scenes; however the other animation was well done. The voice actors were perfect for each of their characters and I would not change any of them. The opening and closing songs were laid back and quite enjoyable. I found myself singing along after a few episodes.
Extras:
Atelier, Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky – The Complete Collection includes clean opening and closing animations along with Sentai Filmworks trailers as special features. This series was released with Japanese with English subtitles as the only language option.
Overall Grade: B
Atelier, Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky – The Complete Collection is actually a good series that was based off a video game. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure or fantasy series.
