So, here's a review that might seem a bit out of left field. Bomberman Jetters is an obscure anime that only released in Japan and is based on one of the most controversial games in a video game series that, while one of my personal favorites, isn't really talked about all that much. It really does seem odd that I'd suddenly decide to review such a show. It's even more odd that said show is actually really good. It's funny, charming, surprisingly dark and emotional at points, and really well-paced. While still not Arcane levels of amazing, believe it or not, Bomberman Jetters might just be one of my favorite video game adaptations to date.
Bomberman Jetters is about White Bomber (who I'll stick to calling Shirobon), that main protagonist you see on the cover of every Bomberman game. His brother Mighty is part of this intergalactic force called the Jetters, who travel around the galaxy trying to stop the criminal Mujoe and his clan of cute bandits called the Higehige. However, in the second episode, Mighty disappears, so Shirobon decides to join the Jetters to try and find him. Seems like a basic premise for a kids anime not unlike Pokemon or something, but there's the added wrinkle of Shirobon being an inexperienced and immature little kid who kinda messes stuff up for the rest of the Jetters. Right from the get-go, there's this great character arc established for Shirobon as he grows up, learns how to master his "bombing powers", and becomes a great asset to the Jetters, making for a really compelling protagonist. I ended up loving the whole cast though, and they all have a strong rapport with each other. Gangu is hilarious, Bongo's a total sweetheart, Birdy gets some of the most powerful moments in the anime, Louie/Rui is adorable, and Shout's bickering with Shirobon is always a treat. Even the side characters are great, especially Misty, who somehow managed to be one of the most fascinating members of the cast despite her limited screentime.
That leads to the first pleasantly surprising thing about Bomberman Jetters, it's actually really funny. While the anime has its weird elements like Bomberman's vaguely defined powers, the fact that there's pretty much just one of every item in the universe, and the bizarre Bomber designs, Jetters approaches all of it with a nice sense of self-awareness. The main cast constantly trades snark with each other, Shirobon and some of the baddies make some hilariously idiotic mistakes that fall perfectly in line with their character, and tropes and expectations are subverted in some pretty hilarious ways. I think a moment that really sold me on the series was in the third episode, where the big fight scene starts and Shirobon needs some time to charge up his bomb. So what does the bad guys do? They just sit around and play cards until Shirobon's attack is ready. There's definitely an "abridged series vibe" to Jetters that I'm definitely a big fan of, but it also never goes too far as to mess up the emotional moments either.
Speaking of which, the next pleasantly surprising thing about Bomberman Jetters is that it's surprisingly emotional. While much of the show is fairly lighthearted, it's not afraid to get genuinely dark, angsty, and plot-heavy. The seeds are planted with the debut of the robotic Max as a major antagonist, as well as a team of Bombermen for Shirobon to take down, but the biggest turning point is halfway through the series where it's revealed that Mighty didn't disappear... he died. This transforms Jetters into a series dealing with grief, as pretty much the entire cast is forced to cope with Mighty's death in different ways. It also makes Jetters substantially more serialized, with plot twists that completely recontextualize the series, genuinely emotional sequences, and a final third that completely drops any episodic structure for a shockingly well thought-out series of twists that fit into the earlier episodes like puzzle pieces. I'll admit it takes some time to get there, but by the emotional end of Jetters, I was left feeling incredibly satisfied.
While most of this review has been pretty positive, I do still have a few problems with Jetters. While I think the pacing is generally pretty good and we don't go too long without some major plot progression, this is still a 52-episode-long anime that naturally has some low stakes episodes where not all that much happens. As much as I hate the term, they can be a bit "filler-y", especially when the plot kicks in later on in the series (looking at you, Episode 36). And while it's still fairly entertaining, the first third of the series does boast some pretty bland and unoriginal storylines, most notably the one where the Jetters have to return an elephant to his mother (a very stock kid's show plot). The show also does suffer from some standard anime tropes that I'm not the biggest fan of, like fight scenes that have a lot of standing around, reused footage of attacks, lots and lots of flashbacks, and most irritating of all, the characters constantly screaming each other's names ("Birdy!" "Max!" "Birdy!" "Max...").
As for the production, it's alright. The animation isn't super impressive or detailed, but the character designs are cute and expressive, and there are admittedly some really cool fight scenes. It definitely looks better than most of Deen's stuff from that era. The voice casting is also pretty good, especially when it comes to the comedic material. Characters like Mujoe and Mechadoc really get the chance to ham it up in the best way possible. But the best voice performance is definitely for Shirobon himself, who's played by Tomoko Kaneda (Chiyo-chan from Azumanga Daioh). She's able to channel Chiyo in the comedic moments, but is also able to do an amazing job with the darker and more emotional moments as well. The background music is pretty solid too. It's fairly standard anime music fare and gets a bit repetitive at times, but it's catchy enough and fits the scenes well... except for one particular piece that sounds almost exactly like the Seinfeld theme. I don't know how the hell that managed to make it into the anime, but it sure is bizarre.
With a total of 52 episodes, expect a lot of episodes in the highlights section:
White Bomber's Defeat (ep13): While there are some signs of greatness in the early episodes like the first appearances of Max and Misty, I think this was the first huge boost in quality for Jetters. Aside from the episode's title spoiling the big twist, it was pretty impactful to see Shirobon's misplaced confidence actually have consequences, and Mujoe finally starts to feel like a more intimidating villain in this episode. The introduction of the Bomber Shitennou is also the point where the anime gets a lot more serialized.
The Glorious Hige Hige Bandits (ep14): This was definitely one of Jetters' best comedic episodes. It's pretty much a fake documentary of the Higehige clan by the Higehige clan, and it's chock full of hilarious sketches, Higehige propaganda, and clever gags (the best being Shirobon being replaced in the credits with a Higehige). It's a great showcase of the series' offbeat style of humor, and works especially well as a breather right when Jetters starts to get more plot-heavy.
White Bomber Returns (ep16): Ending the minor story arc started in Episode 13, White Bomber Returns is a bit of a training episode as Shirobon goes through a bunch of challenges to finally start improving his skills, and it culminates in him beating Flame Bomber in a spectacular rematch.
Shout's Tears (ep23): This was an uncharacteristically subdued episode of the series. There was no fighting or adventuring, and almost the whole thing focused on just the Jetters and no one else. It's also one of my favorites in the series, sandwiching a legitimately really funny storyline about the Jetters trying to cheer Shout up between two massive gut punches at the start and end of the episode (not unlike Tabula Rasa, one of my favorite Buffy episodes). The reveal that Mighty was dead all along is a massive turning point in the series.
Electric Thunder Bomber (ep24): If Shout's Tears wasn't sad enough, Lightning Thunder Bomber is one of the bleakest episodes in the whole anime (along with Episode 25). While Shirobon sneaking into the Higehige Clan is a bit funny, most of this episode has him struggling with the denial that Mighty is dead, made even worse when Max reveals he killed him. Add in Shout resigning and revealing her mom died in the Bomberman equivalent of the Titanic, and Thunder Bomber wanting revenge for the rest of the Shittenou, and you get a heartbreaking episode about dealing with grief.
We, The Jetters (ep26): Ending the first half of the series on a big note, We, The Jetters boasts great showcases of teamwork between the titular team, a bombastic final battle with Max, an emotional reunion for Shout and Shirobon, and a intriguing cliffhanger hinting at Zero. I think this would've been the perfect moment for Shirobon to get a bomb star, but otherwise I thought this episode was great, and at least we got to see the face of Shout's dad.
B-1 Tournament Arc (ep34-35): This story arc was incredibly fun on so many levels. It was a great way to bring the entire cast together for a funny and action-packed tournament, even managing to bring back all the Bomber characters from early on in the show. While the moments where Shirobon get a bomb star can seem a bit random at times, I think he really did earn it here. This is also one of the last truly comedic episodes of the series, shown by Episode 35's bleak cliffhanger.
The Suspicious Health Checkup/A Coup d'etat Erupts (ep39-40): These two episodes are absolutely insane, and permanently change the tone and structure of the series. First we learn that those times Birdy didn't come alone the Jetters' missions were because he was looking into Mechadoc. Then we learn Mechadoc has been the real villain all along. And finally, we watch as Mechadoc brainwashes the entire Higehige clan, kicks Mujoe out, and puts Bagura in prison. It's such a shocking twist that marks the point where Jetters becomes fully serialized.
Rebirth Of The Dark Higehige Bandits (ep41): While it's pretty easy to pick up on, this episode forms another massive turning point as we learn that Zero is Mighty, or at least he has Mighty's memories. It's a fantastic twist that puts everything his character does into context, and makes such a massive impact that the OP permanently switches following this episode.
Head On Collision?! Planet Jetters (ep48): I think the Jetters learning Zero is Mighty was handled a bit sloppily, but this episode managed to balance a massive world-ending threat with Shirobon reckoning with the fact that his brother is potentially alive. His reaction to Zero revealing that he was the same MA model that killed Mighty is mature and cathartic, showing just how far he's come since the first episode.
Planet Jetters' Last Day (ep51): Easily one of the biggest and most climactic episodes of the series, the big final battle with Dark Force Bomber is spectacular and gives Shirobon yet another chance to show off his development. However, the big emotional punch comes in the ending where Zero reveals Max injected his data into him, and that he's going to have to die.
Keep Going, Jetters (ep52): While the way Shirobon stops the two planets from colliding is a bit confusing and the seventh bomb star stuff is a bit of a cop-out, I don't think that's entirely the point of this finale. Keep Going, Jetters is an emotional final episode of the anime that focuses on giving all of the characters a truly satisfying ending, and it absolutely works. Outside of Zero's heartbreaking death, Shout and Shirobon finally deal with their grief, Misty presumably joins the Jetters, and everything is pretty much back to normal. An incredibly sweet series finale.
Overall, while it does fall for some of the formula's trappings and doesn't boast outstanding animation, Bomberman Jetters makes it clear it's not just a simple kid's show nor a simple video game adaptation. Its narrative is twisty and well thought-out, the characters are lovable, the comedy is sharp and witty, the emotional moments hit hard, and it does a fantastic job of dealing with its themes of grief.
4/5 Stars
No comments:
Post a Comment