Introduction: It would be a lie to say that the 2004 blockbuster, "i, ROBOT", was no doubt an entertaining feature film. With a budget of 120 million and starring an ensemble cast including such names as Will Smith, Bruce Greenwood and Shia Lebeouf, the acting was strong and the special effects impressive. Yet, many critics and fans, especially those fond of science fiction, found it somehow lacking. While it shares its name with Isaac Assimov's famous collection of short stories, that's about the extent of it. For all the money and talent that went into the project, a typical summer blockbuster was all we got.So where could one find a true homage to Isaac Asimov's iconic novel? If you're looking for a faithful depiction of those thought provoking short stories, a story with the same subtlety, grace, and just a little bit of humor, look no further than Yasuhiro Yoshiura's "Time of Eve".Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan)MALRanked #187 with an average score of 8.34/10Personal Rating: 10/10WTF is Time of Eve?The film version of "Time of Eve" is a collection of six short stories, which follow Rikuo Sakisaka and Masaki Masakazu and their experiences at the "Time of Eve" cafe, one of the only places where androids and humans intermingle without segregation.What Sets it Apart?While "Time of Eve" indeed reflects "I, Robot" in numerous superficial facets, such as the naming scheme (RB series->"Robby" vs. the THX series->"Tex"), and story told with intermittent cuts to professionals discussing the unfolding events, the true brilliance of this anime lies in how well it captures the essence of Asimov's thought provoking novel.While some stories touch on how robots interpret the Three Laws and the burgeoning individuality displayed by the AI, the majority of the thematic focus lies in the interpersonal relationships between mankind and man-created. The Time of Eve is a place that allows no segregation between man and robot, so it is often ambiguous as to which category many of the characters belong. The true natures of some characters are revealed by the end of the anime, but many are wisely left unknown.The story is written fantastically, and all important questions and loose ends are tied up nicely by the end of this movie. The characters are genuine and quite likable (and also adorable), motives are well established, and the conflicts, while not grand in scale, are honest and handled realistically.How's the Production Value?Bloody fantastic that's how.Time of Eve opts for a very soft character design with a warm, earthly color palette, reminiscent of real life coffee shops. Camera work is sublime, and interestingly enough, the first few chapters make frequent use of First Person POV (I'd link a gif, but I have no idea how to make them).The soundtrack of this anime is relaxing and largely supportive, but the ending theme, (video spoilers, just listen to the music) "I Have a Dream" written by Yuki Kajiura and performed by none other than Kalafina, is of particular note.What's the Catch?While I have no complaints about the characters, soundtrack, or animation, the writing can get a little ham-handed towards the middle and end. Like many anime, characters have startlingly leaky waterworks, and let tears flow at the drop of a hat. While most of the stories handle emotion with a degree of subtlety, some scenes tend to get rather dramatic, and those with less tolerance to shmaltz may find themselves rolling their eyes.TL;DR"Time of Eve" is a gorgeously animated, beautifully written anime with a fantastic soundtrack to boot. It is without a doubt the most faithful homage to Issac Asimov's "I, Robot" that I have ever had the pleasure of watching, managing to capture the spirit of what made that novel so magical. If you're a science fiction buff looking for a fix, or just an anime fan looking for a nice, relaxing movie to kill an hour or two, take a look at "Time of Eve". Promise, you won't regret it.P.S. Watch the ending credits. Seriously, this is the anime equivalent of the first few scenes of "Up". http://ift.tt/1lmWajc
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