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[Edens Bowy box art]
AKA: エデンズ ボゥイ, EDENsBOwY, Eden's Boy
Genre: Fantasy mystery adventure
Length: Television series, 26 episodes, 25 minutes each
Distributor: R1 DVD from ADV Films
Content Rating: 13+ (violence, mild adult innuendo)
Related Series: N/A
Also Recommended: Record of Lodoss War
Notes: Based on the manga of the same name by Kitsune Tennoji. "Bowy" is simply a fanciful spelling of "boy". That's it.
Rating:

Eden's Bowy

Synopsis

There seem to be two worlds - one composed of the land where normal people tread, and the floating cities where the powerful live amid high technology and glory. In this land of disparity, there is a legend that the old God turned against his creation, the human race, and was struck down by his own sword, wielded by one known as the God-hunter. The power of the dead God begat newer, gentler Gods, who protect the humans, most of all, the God-hunter, who has been apparently reincarnated into a young boy, named Yorn. Unfortunately, the cities of power want Yorn dead, and so he embarks upon epic journey of fantasy and wonder, and more than a little danger, where Yorn and his mysterious companion, the girl Elisiss, must face forces beyond his comprehension.


Review

Sometimes, being purposely cryptic can be annoying. That's why THEM dislikes Gasaraki. (And why I personally dislike mimes, but that's a completely different story, indeed.)

However, the opening chapters of Eden's Bowy, while giving only hints and teasers as to its true intentions and plot, is intriguing, and it comes off as vastly more entertaining than its distant sci-fi cousin. In the meantime, we have a lot of symbolism, interesting world design, and strong (and very amusing) characters that hold your attention.

The animation, too, is very good, and though a lot of the scenery has a post-apocalyptic wasteland feel to it (mostly earth tones), there are some exceptions, especially the floating cities themselves, and those who pay them tribute. The action sequences, when they do come, are fast and furious, and some characters play surprising roles as far as that's concerned. Let's just say I like Elisis, and we'll leave it at that.

A lot of the plot seems to be descended from the tradition of video role-playing games, and I wouldn't be terribly surprised if this was actually intended as one. That would be fine, as RPGs tend to be better suited for anime adaptation than action games (Final Fantasy aside, of course). And unlike Fire Emblem, the story actually has a chance to unfold and develop over time, so it never seems abrupt or rushed - in fact; it's quite the opposite. But it never seems sluggish - well, at least I never had the urge to yell at them to get on with the story.

The music is also very good, and completes a pretty package that is an asset to the fantasy genre, as far as I've seen. Let's see if it continues to be as entertaining when those secrets are finally revealed.

An intriguing fantasy series that may not be for the impatient, but looks to be quite rewarding for the fan who can stick it out for the series run - unless it doesn't keep up the pace after all.Carlos/Giancarla Ross

Recommended Audience: Some violence here and there, limited by its being a TV series rather than an OAV. A bit of innuendo here and there, but nothing harmless. If there was nudity, I didn't notice it.



Version(s) Viewed: digital source
Review Status: Partial (3/26)
Eden's Bowy © 1998 Kitsune Tennoji / Kadokawa Shoten
 
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