Anime Sand Land Review Episode #1 – 6 No spoilers
Summary
Akira Toriyama's Sand Land anime offers a vibrant and exciting adventure with well-developed characters. The anime adaptation of Sand Land retains Toriyama's iconic style with the help of many animation studios. The first half of Sand Land sets the stage for more lore and character depth in the upcoming Forest Land installment.
Dragon Ball could be Akira ToriyamaMost popular, yet new franchise Sandcartoon from the legendary creator is a lively adventure story his fans won't want to miss. Nearly five years after the final chapter of Dragon Ball was released, Toriyama has published a brand new manga series with a post-apocalyptic setting filled with dangerous bandits, a corrupt government and a collection of evil creatures. seductive devil. Now, its anime tells the story of the Demon King's son, Beelzebub, and his story goes beyond the manga.
Although Dragon Ball is one of the most famous anime in the world, Sand Land is a very different story that proves Toriyama is a master storyteller. It will take very little time for Sand Land to feel like a lively place, where humans, demons, and desert beasts coexist. Although the series doesn't have the same genre or amount of action as Goku's adventures, the anime quickly captures viewers' attention with excitement and humor.
Akira Toriyama's Sand Land manga is a 14-chapter short story revolving around a mysterious old sheriff who teams up with a reluctant Demon Prince, Beelzebub, and his wisecracking sidekick, Thief. Their quest to find the legendary spring encounters exciting confrontations against many forces, all with their own purposes. The The first six episodes of the anime adapt the manga's plot with vivid and smooth animations that successfully represent Toriyama's iconic style.
Along with the anime, an open-world action RPG Sand Land will release on previous and current generation consoles on April 25, 2024.
There's more to the land of sand than Dragon Ball fans might expect
Sand Land Manga by Akira Toriyama, Anime Series directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima
Belezebub's design and personality are a far cry from the terrifying mythological figure his character is based on, which is one of the main themes of Sand Land: don't judge a book by its cover. The lesson also speaks to Toriyama fans going into the series with the expectation that Sand Land is like Dragon Ball, which is an assumption that may disappoint some. However, viewers are looking an exciting adventure with layered characters in a world that feels like Toriyama's take on Mad Max will enjoy the Sand Land anime.
As Beelzebub, Thief, and the mysterious old sheriff Rao embark on their mission, details about Rao's past and General Zeu's dastardly actions rekindle the deadly cat-and-mouse game of the first film. fairy. Although dramatic gunfights between large, muscular fighters are not included in this story, The Sand Land anime has more action scenes than the mangawith lengthy tank battles and well-directed fight scenes against colorful bandits as well as formidable creatures.
Several animation studios (Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and Anima) helped bring Toriyama's Sandlands to life with an effective combination of CGI and 2D animation. Like the amazing Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie and the Trigun Stampede anime, the Sand Land anime proves that CGI animation is no longer something to scoff at. The dramatic lighting moments and character animations look captivating and wonderful, with a level of depth that's only matched by Sand Land's character writing.
Character is deeper than desert dunes
The introduction of each character in Sand Land will help first-time viewers clearly visualize the main cast and their strong personalities. However, all assumptions are quickly overturned as the characters become more familiar with each other and the audience. Beelzebub's words and appearance would turn most humans away, but His actions painted the demon in a completely different light. On the other hand, Chief Rao seems like a trustworthy elder who, when push comes to shove, becomes an excellent warrior with a dark past full of regrets.
The The character writing in Sand Land cleverly overturns many common assumptions that viewers expect from an adventure series. There isn't a character that fits the role of a newbie who has no clue about learning the ropes. Instead, each actor feels alive to the past that informs their actions and actively learns and grows as new information emerges. Rao and Beelzebub's growing relationship throughout the first six episodes of the Sand Land anime challenges each's previous expectations regarding the other's race and may also help audiences think twice before judging. others at first sight.
Additional Scenes Add more heart to the characters of Sand Land
Nearly every piece of information presented in Sand Land adds to the plot and world-building, proving that Akira Toriyama's skills only improved after the Dragon Ball manga ended. The The anime adds a few touching scenes that greatly enhance the tragic characters like Rao and General Are. Additional scenes highlighting those they've lost help paint a more complex picture of Toriyama's characters, each with their own ambitions but fortunately not constantly opposed by the audience.
The first half of Sand Land's 13-episode anime season adapting Toriyama's original manga is mostly suitable for teens but has a few differences and extended scenes. Even though the battles are a bit longer, the anime makes those experiences enjoyable with dynamic camera angles and an enjoyable soundtrack by Yugo Kanno that consistently elevates the mood. However, the anime's filler scenes are so effective that it creates a greater desire to cast additional actors who receive a limited amount of backstory, such as the Thief and the vile General Zeu.
A great first act that will have viewers excited for what's to come
The studios behind the Sand Land anime have been honest and effectively captures the charm and adventure that every page of Akira Toriyama's manga is filled with. The biggest problem with the first half of the anime is that there's no additional lore or extended timeline on the cast beyond what's provided in the manga. While providing a nearly one-to-one adaptation of the source material is what some readers wished for, a few extended scenes with Rao's wife and General Are's father were a highlight. New anime scenes that give more depth to the characters and more would be a welcome addition.
The first six volumes of Sand Land are a gripping retelling of Toriyama's manga. However, the story beyond the original 14 chapters will be explored in the second half of the anime: the Forest Land arc. The problems in the first half of the season will be fixed in the final seven episodes. More time with the cast, an expanded plot, and exciting dangers await Toriyama fans in the first new installment of the story since it was published in 2000. This is an adventure save that viewers will likely be more than willing to explore after watching the film's excellent first half. Sandcartoon of.
Source: Sunrise (1,2)/YouTube
See Sandland The Series on Hulu and Disney+