Directors: Hiroki Yamada and Seiichi Shirato

Title: Obsolete: The Complete Collection

Studio: BUEMON studio

U. S. Distributor: YouTube Original, Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

Release Date: May 3rd, 2022

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 156 Minutes

Genera: Sci Fi, Action /Adventure, Drama

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: C –

Synopsis:

The people of Earth learned they were not alone when the aliens arrived, wanting to trade an incredible advancement in technology for the small price of a few shipments of common rock. Almost every country and corporation in the world seized upon the opportunity, and within a few years the massive robots known as EXOFRAMEs had replaced most forms of motorized industry.

But perhaps mankind should have been more cautious of aliens bearing gifts, because in one fell swoop the precarious balance in military forces and hardware that had long separated each nation and rogue group was irrevocably altered. With the scales of power thus readjusted, many who hated their neighbors or coveted their possessions saw a chance, at last, to strike. And so, the bloodshed and the wars began as the old status quo became OBSOLETE.

Commentary:

When Obsolete was first release by YouTube there was a great buzz. After some time the buzz wore off and I understand why. Although the plot is interesting and potentially thought provoking the overall execution fell flat. I attribute it to the computer generated imagery and writing that made the series come across as more of a toss off project.

The story had such potential and at moments raised some very interesting question about our geopolitical landscape. The unfortunate thing is that it never really developed. I did enjoy moments and saw the underlying concept that was trying to make its way out, but Obsolete just missed the mark.

Overall Grade: C –

The weakest aspect of the series is the computer generated animation. I felt like I was watching a high school project made on freeware that offered a minimum of effects and animation styles. From the hard edge machines to the low quality rendering of the humans I found Obsolete tough to watch at times. Of course there was plenty of animation that managed to work and the main subject, the Exoframes, worked well with this lower CG production quality.

The writing and plot development felt like it was geared toward the generation that grew up watching poorly made cutscenes that gave you quick battlefield action to keep your adrenaline racing. If you haven’t heard about Obsolete or caught up in the original YouTube ferver, you might want to check out some of the episodes to understand what I am alluding to. Obsolete may not have tickled my fancy, but it was nowhere as disappointing as Appleseed XIII and its impossibly bad animation.