PACIFIC RIM: THE BLACK
SEASON ONE
Netflix Release: March 4, 2021
SEASON TWO
Netflix Release: April 19, 2022
While the first Pacific Rim movie works as a stand alone film, there was more than enough room to expand on the world and continue the story. Most of the expanded material was limited to comic books until Pacific Rim: Uprising was released.
There was talk of an animated Pacific Rim show in the time between the 2 films, but it was all talk and no action until November 2018 when an official announcement was made: an anime series was in the works.
Upon my first viewing of season one, I was confused by this series as it doesn't indicate how much time has passed since Pacific Rim: Uprising. Uprising ended with the proclamation that the Pan Pacific Defense Corp would take the fight to the Anteverse itself. However, as soon as the show starts, it throws at you the fact that Kaiju have all but wiped out the continent of Australia. Did the PPDC ever try to infiltrate the Anteverse? Or did the Kaiju attacks of Australia happen before they could attempt that?
But once I had gotten over my obsession with the plot details of this series, I slowly started to make sense of things and establish an understandable head cannon.
Firstly, I want to say that I find this show to be better than Uprising.
One of the biggest problems I had with Uprising was that it tried to introduce too many characters, gave most of them no development and barely cared that one of them died in the final battle.
This show smartly focuses on 2 lead characters while introducing more side characters in a much more organic way.
Our leads in question, Hayley and Taylor, are great. I'll admit it did take a few rewatches to warm up to Taylor in the first few episodes, he can come off as a jerk but you really have to consider the situation the character is in.
Mei is a fascinating character. She has a rough edge and a dark past but she's not without her softer moments.
My favorite character from this new show would have to be Loa, the Jaeger AI. Like Jarvis from Iron Man, Loa has some serious sass and the moment where she reveals that Atlas Destroyer doesn't have any weapons is one of the biggest "bruh" moments I've ever seen in any piece of media.
Shane is a great villain. He's such an evil bastard but at the same time he's kind of fascinating, you can't take your eyes off him.
Taylor and Hayley also come across a boy who they name "Boy" (really) that comes off as an innocent kid, but you quickly realize there's much more to this kid.
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This is also the perfect time to bring up the fact that this show isn't afraid to get heavy and serious.
Yes, in a show about giant robots fighting giant monsters this show makes room for trauma and death. The impression I've gotten from some people who've seen anything Pacific Rim related is that this is a dumb concept that should only be fun and not try to shoehorn in any serious elements, an ideal that I wholeheartedly disagree with. It makes me wonder if anyone ever actually watched that first movie and paid attention to the story. Granted there are some lighter moments to this show to bring some levity, like Joel and the café dance scene. But this series is in a post apocalyptic setting, fun is not the main thing on the agenda.
Also people apparently have a problem with the animation? I think it looks good, the CG may be a little janky in spots but I don't mind. It kinda reminds me of stop motion, do y'all not like art?
|
We only have a handful of Jaegers and Kaiju this time around and they are welcome additions to the series. Admittedly, I feel the Kaiju are a bit on the bland side with the exception of Copperhead whose design I love, also the Rippers are pretty cool.
Atlas Destroyer is instantly iconic, Hunter Vertigo looks cool but then there's Apex. Apex is actually a Drone Jaeger from Uprising that goes rouge and acts on its own agenda, his design is awesome and I love him.
SEASON ONE
Netflix Release: March 4, 2021
SEASON TWO
Netflix Release: April 19, 2022
Many years after a series of Kaiju attacks overrun the continent of Australia, two siblings set out to find their parents after stumbling across a decommissioned training Jaeger. As they travel they encounter new threats and shocking secrets, some of which are beyond explanation.
While the first Pacific Rim movie works as a stand alone film, there was more than enough room to expand on the world and continue the story. Most of the expanded material was limited to comic books until Pacific Rim: Uprising was released.
There was talk of an animated Pacific Rim show in the time between the 2 films, but it was all talk and no action until November 2018 when an official announcement was made: an anime series was in the works.
Upon my first viewing of season one, I was confused by this series as it doesn't indicate how much time has passed since Pacific Rim: Uprising. Uprising ended with the proclamation that the Pan Pacific Defense Corp would take the fight to the Anteverse itself. However, as soon as the show starts, it throws at you the fact that Kaiju have all but wiped out the continent of Australia. Did the PPDC ever try to infiltrate the Anteverse? Or did the Kaiju attacks of Australia happen before they could attempt that?
But once I had gotten over my obsession with the plot details of this series, I slowly started to make sense of things and establish an understandable head cannon.
Firstly, I want to say that I find this show to be better than Uprising.
One of the biggest problems I had with Uprising was that it tried to introduce too many characters, gave most of them no development and barely cared that one of them died in the final battle.
This show smartly focuses on 2 lead characters while introducing more side characters in a much more organic way.
Our leads in question, Hayley and Taylor, are great. I'll admit it did take a few rewatches to warm up to Taylor in the first few episodes, he can come off as a jerk but you really have to consider the situation the character is in.
Mei is a fascinating character. She has a rough edge and a dark past but she's not without her softer moments.
My favorite character from this new show would have to be Loa, the Jaeger AI. Like Jarvis from Iron Man, Loa has some serious sass and the moment where she reveals that Atlas Destroyer doesn't have any weapons is one of the biggest "bruh" moments I've ever seen in any piece of media.
Shane is a great villain. He's such an evil bastard but at the same time he's kind of fascinating, you can't take your eyes off him.
Taylor and Hayley also come across a boy who they name "Boy" (really) that comes off as an innocent kid, but you quickly realize there's much more to this kid.
|
This is also the perfect time to bring up the fact that this show isn't afraid to get heavy and serious.
Yes, in a show about giant robots fighting giant monsters this show makes room for trauma and death. The impression I've gotten from some people who've seen anything Pacific Rim related is that this is a dumb concept that should only be fun and not try to shoehorn in any serious elements, an ideal that I wholeheartedly disagree with. It makes me wonder if anyone ever actually watched that first movie and paid attention to the story. Granted there are some lighter moments to this show to bring some levity, like Joel and the café dance scene. But this series is in a post apocalyptic setting, fun is not the main thing on the agenda.
Also people apparently have a problem with the animation? I think it looks good, the CG may be a little janky in spots but I don't mind. It kinda reminds me of stop motion, do y'all not like art?
|
We only have a handful of Jaegers and Kaiju this time around and they are welcome additions to the series. Admittedly, I feel the Kaiju are a bit on the bland side with the exception of Copperhead whose design I love, also the Rippers are pretty cool.
Atlas Destroyer is instantly iconic, Hunter Vertigo looks cool but then there's Apex. Apex is actually a Drone Jaeger from Uprising that goes rouge and acts on its own agenda, his design is awesome and I love him.
-SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR SEASON 2 AHEAD-
Season 2 picks up immediately where the first season left off.
The show finally expands upon an aspect of the franchise that has only been hinted at in the films and only briefly touched upon in the comics, the people who worship the Kaiju. Introduced at the very end of Season 1, the Sisters are a terrifying cult looking to bring forth the 'Kaiju Messiah' who they believe to be Boy.
I've always thought an interesting story could be told using this aspect and the story we got definitely delivers.
If you liked Season 1, you'll really enjoy Season 2. It has more action and a lot more character drama. I mean, holy Hell is there character drama, enough to rival if not surpass the original film.
The interactions between characters are enough to leave me on the edge of my seat. If you aren't left feeling at least a bit emotional during some of them, consider me surprised. Especially one particular scene in which the show warms your heart only to rip it out, throw it to the ground, stomp and spit all over it. I'm not gonna say what it is, you'll know it when you see it...
Aside from that moment of being shook, Season 2 had me hooked from beginning to end and made up for any meaningless gripes I may have had with the show. Still could have used more of the iconic Pacific Rim theme though.
As long time Pacific Rim junkie, I can say that Pacific Rim: The Black is an excellent addition to the series. It might be my favorite piece of the franchise outside the original film. I'm not sure if interest in this show will reignite interest in making more Pacific Rim anime or even another movie, but I hope something more comes from this. There are still so many directions the story could go and I want to see the story of Pacific Rim wrapped up with a satisfying conclusion.
Season 2 picks up immediately where the first season left off.
The show finally expands upon an aspect of the franchise that has only been hinted at in the films and only briefly touched upon in the comics, the people who worship the Kaiju. Introduced at the very end of Season 1, the Sisters are a terrifying cult looking to bring forth the 'Kaiju Messiah' who they believe to be Boy.
I've always thought an interesting story could be told using this aspect and the story we got definitely delivers.
If you liked Season 1, you'll really enjoy Season 2. It has more action and a lot more character drama. I mean, holy Hell is there character drama, enough to rival if not surpass the original film.
The interactions between characters are enough to leave me on the edge of my seat. If you aren't left feeling at least a bit emotional during some of them, consider me surprised. Especially one particular scene in which the show warms your heart only to rip it out, throw it to the ground, stomp and spit all over it. I'm not gonna say what it is, you'll know it when you see it...
Aside from that moment of being shook, Season 2 had me hooked from beginning to end and made up for any meaningless gripes I may have had with the show. Still could have used more of the iconic Pacific Rim theme though.
As long time Pacific Rim junkie, I can say that Pacific Rim: The Black is an excellent addition to the series. It might be my favorite piece of the franchise outside the original film. I'm not sure if interest in this show will reignite interest in making more Pacific Rim anime or even another movie, but I hope something more comes from this. There are still so many directions the story could go and I want to see the story of Pacific Rim wrapped up with a satisfying conclusion.
Till next time, I have been your host Gryphon
and thank you for joining me here in my lair.
So long...
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