Back in 2011, the anime world welcomed another legendary work: Guilty Crown, a sci-fi action anime intertwined with mysterious powers, politics, and teenage drama. With beautiful visuals, legendary soundtrack by Supercell and Hiroyuki Sawano, it guaranteed greatness. But its complex storyline and controversial characters made it both loved and hated at the same time.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story takes place in Japan after the outbreak of a mysterious virus called the Apocalypse Virus, which causes the country to lose its independence and fall under the control of the international organization GHQ. The life of high school student Shu Ouma changes when he meets a mysterious girl named Inori Yuzuriha and gains the power of the Void, allowing him to extract weapons or objects from other people. Shu is drawn into the resistance group Funeral Parlor, led by Gai Tsutsugami, to fight against GHQ and uncover the truth about the virus and his own past.
Performance and Characters
Although it's an anime, voice acting is the heart of the characters. Yuki Kaji voices Shu, conveying his hesitation and growth well. Kana Hanazawa as Inori stands out with a voice that is both sweet and eerie at the same time. Yuichi Nakamura as Gai is powerful, showing determination and mystery. However, some characters may feel superficial or change emotions too quickly, especially Shu, who is criticized for being whiny and indecisive in many parts, frustrating some viewers.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
Production I.G delivers beautiful visuals befitting a high-quality studio, especially the fluid action scenes and the creative, diverse Void designs. The soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano, along with legendary opening and ending songs like My Dearest and Departures ~Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta~ by Supercell, still resonates with fans today. The music perfectly enhances the series' emotions.
Editorial Analysis
Guilty Crown is a series that dares to challenge viewers with a complex story and multidimensional characters, but at the cost of some illogical points, such as rushed relationship development or forced plot twists. Shu is designed to be weak and slow to grow, which may turn off viewers, but it reflects a realistic humanity. In terms of symbolism and themes, the series speaks about sacrifice, identity, and redemption, which are powerful topics. However, the rushed pacing in the latter part leaves many issues unresolved satisfactorily.
Verdict
Guilty Crown is an anime full of charm and flaws at the same time. If you're an anime fan who loves beautiful visuals, great music, and doesn't mind an imperfect story, this series is worth watching. But if you need a tight plot and well-developed characters, you may need to brace yourself.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Beautiful visuals and fluid action scenes
- +Legendary soundtrack by Supercell and Sawano
- +Creative and interesting Void concept
👎 Cons
- −Main character Shu criticized for being weak and annoying
- −Complex story with logical flaws
- −Rushed ending, unresolved conclusion
Top Cast
FAQ
It has 22 episodes, complete in one season.
Currently available for streaming on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and other platforms depending on region.
It's a series that people either love or hate. If you like sci-fi, drama, and great music, you'll likely enjoy it. But if you need a perfectly logical story, you may be disappointed.
There is an OVA titled Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas, as well as spin-offs in games and novels, but no direct sequel.
