#FEATURE: Time-Travel, Romance, Myth, and Mystery in ISLAND
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“#FEATURE: Time-Travel, Romance, Myth, and Mystery in ISLAND”
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We're in the final days of summer, and in an effort to close out these last few scorching weeks with no regrets, “Cruising the Crunchy-Catalog” is looking back at shows from previous summer seasons that the anime fans may have missed when they were brand new.
What would summer be without a tropical vacation? The warm salt air, a gentle breeze coming in from the ocean, walking naked on the beach with no memories of who you are and how you got there … Okay, maybe tropical vacations are out, but that won't stop us from visiting the mysterious island of Urashima and all of its intrigues as we check out the visual-novel-to-TV-anime adaptation known as ISLAND.
What's ISLAND?
Based on the 2016 visual novel by Frontwing, ISLAND is a 2018 TV anime with direction by Keiichiro Kawaguchi and animation production by feel. Crunchyroll describes the series as follows:
The island of Urashima sits on the ocean far, far away from the mainland. The island is so lush and beautiful that one might mistake it for paradise, but the people there are trapped by a complex past and long-established traditions. Long since abandoned and all but forgotten by the mainland, the people of the island are ready to give up hope. But then, a young man named Setsuna who calls himself a "time traveler" washes up on the island. Setsuna has lost all of his memories except for a certain mission that he must fulfill. On Urashima he meets three girls, Rinne, Karen, and Sara, and begins.
While ISLAND maintains a dramatic story-line throughout, the description above and the preview video below don't really convey the entire scope of the series' themes and tones. The plot leans heavily on elements of mystery and science fiction, and romance and slapstick comedy also play a crucial role.
Romantic Comedy.
Under other circumstances, ISLAND could have been a harem romance, since the main character, Setsuna, finds himself as the center of attention for the three leading ladies of the series. However, Setsuna is kind of a gigantic dork, and he's less interested in pursuing romantic relationships and more interested in recovering his memories and completing his mission.
While Setsuna attempts to unravel the many strange occurrences afoot on Urashima, he gets wrapped up in the troubles of the three major families, landing a job as a maid in Ohara mansion in the process. He's not entirely sure whether the girls want to kiss him or kill him. Comedy and hijinks ensue.
Red Herrings.
Mystery is at the heart of ISLAND, and that mystery is wrapped in the trappings of science fiction, local legends, folk horror, and family drama. Nothing is as it appears to be at first glance, and some questions that the story poses are never explicitly resolved.
ISLAND plays fast and loose with its science-fiction concepts, introducing bizarre theories and rejecting or disproving them just as quickly. Between amnesiac characters and unreliable narrators, the audience is never quite sure exactly what to expect, and this uncertainty keeps the viewers on their toes as the story develops.
And Now for Something Completely Different …
To say that ISLAND features a drastic narrative shift as the story progresses is a supreme understatement. More accurately, at one point, ISLAND temporarily transforms into a different anime, complete with a different title and different opening and ending themes. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I won't elaborate further, but despite the jarring upheaval in setting and tone, the central mystery remains compelling as it barrels toward the ultimate resolution.
Taking the Tour.
Crunchyroll currently streams ISLAND in numerous territories worldwide, and the series is available in the original Japanese language with subtitles in English, Spanish, Latin American Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, Russian and German. Crunchyroll also streams the series in English and Russian dubbed formats. At the time of this writing, there is currently no home video release of the ISLAND TV anime in the United States, although the original visual novel is available via Steam.
Like many visual novels that have been adapted into anime, ISLAND has the kind of sporadic pacing and narrative curve-balls that may not appeal to every fan. If you're in the mood for a show that is equal parts dramatic, romantic, comedic, and mysterious — and if the series is available in your area — then please consider giving ISLAND a try.
Thanks for joining us for this week's installment of “Cruising the Crunchy-Catalog”. Be sure to tune in next time when we conclude the summer season with a look back at a completely ordinary Summer 2015 TV anime about camping out at school as part of your club activities.
Is there a series in Crunchyroll's catalog that you think needs some more love and attention? Please send in your suggestions via e-mail to [email protected] or post a Tweet to @gooberzilla. Your pick could inspire the next installment of “Cruising the Crunchy-Catalog!"
Paul Chapman is the host of The Greatest Movie EVER! Podcast and GME! Anime Fun Time.
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