Watch this: Zetsuen no TempestEpisodes: 24Year: 2012Crunchyroll (Blast of Tempest)What is Zetsuen no Tempest?Zetsuen no Tempest is a mystery/action that takes place in a post apocalyptic world. The main characters Yoshino and Mahiro are shown to be in a world where everyone is turning into metal - a disease called the "Black Iron Syndrome". Hakaze, who is is the leader of a clan of magicians, and is by far the strongest of them has been trapped on an island (unable to use her magic) by a member of her own clan. Hakaze manages to create a doll that enacts as a transmitter and throws it into the sea. This doll is found by Mahiro before the anime begins.A year prior to the events of the story, Mahiro's entire family (parents and a sister) is murdered. His primary goal is to find the killer and exact revenge for his sister. When he finds Hakaze's doll, they make a deal: He helps her stop the destruction of the world, and she'll use her magic to find the culprit. With his best friend Yoshino's help, and magical talismans that grant them the ability to use magic, they follow Hazake's plan in order to save the world.Why Should You Watch it?The premise sounds extremely generic, but there is more to the story than meets the eye and the characters more than make up for the premise. For example, Yoshino isn't just following Mahiro in a nonsensical journey because of "plot". He has his own reasons for following along with the plan - reasons that you'll see within the first episode. The show is primarily character driven and each of the main characters have their own reasons for doing what they do. Even though there are opposing factions in the show, there is no villian. Everyone does what they think is right, or what is important to them. Even with the ability to use magic, the our duo MCs aren't overpowered. They need to use their intelligence in order to get what they want.Logic. You will hear this word a lot. Everything resolves around logic and the logic of the world they live in. As a mystery show, logic is an important thing to have. One character will come up with a theory/solution and another will explain why that theory/solution will or will not work. They'll explain the weaknesses of the theory/solution and the best part is that instead of disregarding it, they build upon it in order to come to the right conclusion in a way that makes sense. They explain their actions through logic and reason. Every character is intelligent and can think for themselves.ZnT is borrows themes heavily from Shakespeare's works, "The Tempest" and "Hamlet". For those that haven't read these, don't worry, the show will explain the gist of them and how they relate to the events happening. Both of these plays are stories of revenge, as well as ZnT. The characters will often quote one of the plays and it will always make sense in the context of the show. This is a double edged sword however because you either like it or don't. Depending on the sub group, the dialogue can feel unnatural at times (Crunchyroll doesn't have the best subs for this show).Has a mystery that the audience can solve before the reveal. The show gives you enough information to piece together the mystery before the first half of the show is over.The animation and character designs are great. As expected of Bones, the few action sequences there are look great. Episode 1 fight example.Classical Music in the OST. Sounds great.THE SHOW IS COMEPLETELY ADAPTED AND HAS AN END.CharactersYoshino Takigawa: Is part of the duo MCs and has an amazing design (I could go gay for him). He has a composed personality and appears calm in almost every situation. Throughout the anime, he is shown to not only be very intelligent, but he can also be extremely manipulative and deceitful. It's been said that he is the type of person who can lie with a straight face or act like nothing happened even though he is bothered by something. He has his own reasons for following Mahiro, though he keeps them to himself.Mahiro Fuwa: Is the other MC and contrary to his impulsive personality is very intelligent and is show to be quite perceptive (to most things). He's able to see through other character's deceptions and is an adept fighter. His prime goal throughout the show is revenge, and he is willing to do anything to get it. He doesn't care who he has to hurt or what his actions will cause.Hakaze Kusaribe: Is the leader of the Kusaribe clan and is the "strongest magician". Because the logic of the world is on her side, she is extremely confident in herself. For certain reasons, she is trapped on an island unable to use her magic prior to the start of the series. She guides Mahiro and Yoshino so that they'll get her off the island so that she'll be able to save the world.Aika Fuwa: Is the dead sister of Mahiro and is the catalyst for almost everything that happens in the story. Through flashbacks, we learn that she appears to have a cold and calculating personality and is shown to be very intelligent. She is the main perpetrator of the Shakespeare quotes. We slowly learn more about her as the show goes on. A lot of people will say that her personality is similar to Monogatari's Senjougahara.Samon Kusaribe: Is a member of the Kusaribe clan and is the one that betrayed Hakaze by trapping her on an island. Though he has a legitimate reason for his actions, he is the main enemy of our MCs. At times, I feel like he's the only sane person in the show. He cannot figure out why these two are going to such insane lengths for a girl. He sometimes acts as the audience insert and reacts appropriately.TidbitsAlmost everyone that has seen the show will agree that you can separate the show into two halves. The first half is where the meat of the show is and has the major plotline. The second half of the show ties up loose ends and further develops the characters. Most people will say that the show goes downhill after the first half, but as someone who really enjoyed the show, I think that the second half is great. In fact, the second half is what convinced me to give the show a 10/10. It digs deeper into the characters' personas and changes the way you see each character.The show starts in media res, so it has a fast paced beginning and can seem a little confusing at first. It should make sense after episode 2 or 3.Do not and I repeat Do Not google anything about this anime. A simple picture can spoil the entire mystery for you. I suggest that you don't read the synopsis, because it spoils a cool "twist" in the first episode. The synopsis won't spoil the entire anime, but if you read it, you won't have that "Oh shit" moment that I had when I first started the show. I'm glad I went into the show blind.As I said before, this show is primarily character driven. The plot isn't air tight and some of the supporting characters aren't very developed. There will be a couple of moments where you facepalm such as Zetsuen but I definitely think that the main characters are enough to call the show a masterpiece. Though the characters do have their tropes, they're a breathe of fresh air compared to some of the more generic protagonists.TLDRWatch this show because it has intelligent characters, intelligent dialogue, and is a completely adapted story. The art is and sound is amazing and the mystery is worthwhile. http://ift.tt/1Y0GQKo
