Ask John: What is RahXephon?

Question:
I saw this really spectacular anime called “Rahxephon.” However, I’ve only seen 3 episodes. Can you fill me in about the premise?

Answer:
I normally wouldn’t address this sort of question about a 26 episode anime TV series until the series was over and I’d seen all of it because it’s unfair to critique a series before allowing it to fully develop. However, since I’ve received several questions about this particular series, and interest in it seems to be quite high, I can share the information about the show that I do know.

The first episode of RahXephon premiered on Fuji TV on January 21, 2002. The series is written and directed by Yutaka Izubuchi, better known as the mecha designer for Char’s Counterattack, Dunbine, Gasaraki and Patlabor. The entire production staff is made up of industry veterans with anime including Yamato, Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne, Nadesico and Lain in their resumes. The beautiful opening theme, “Hemisphere,” is performed by the usual pairing of vocalist/seiyuu Maaya Sakamoto and producer Yoko Kanno.

Showing influences from Escaflowne, Evangelion and especially Megazone 23, RahXephon is a sci-fi/giant robot series with a heavy dose of mysticism, visual style and exceptional directorial control. The story centers on teen boy Ayato Kamina and his discovery that the modern day Tokyo he lives in is controlled by an alien race called “Mu.” The Tokyo he knows is actually enclosed within a dimensional dome that slows the passing of time and cuts off the city from all correspondence with the rest of the world. Unbeknownst to the human habitants of Tokyo, the Mu are at war with the remnants of human civilization outside of Tokyo Jupiter, known as “Terra.” The major weapons in this ongoing struggle are giant robots called “dolem” which use music and the sound waves from their ethereal singing as weapons. As in any typical giant robot show, Ayato finds himself thrust into piloting the RahXephon, the mysterious and most powerful dolem, on behalf of Terra, against his former home, friends and even his own mother who all still live inside Tokyo Jupiter.

The first episode especially exhibits the impressive animation quality and attention to detail evident throughout the show, but intentionally leaves viewers confused and ignorant of what’s really going on- effectively putting the viewer into the mind of main character Ayato. Based purely on what I’ve watched so far, the series reveals a large, very well characterized and individualized cast and hints at conspiracies and intrigue to be explained in later episodes. However, the early episodes also quickly fall into a repetitive, Evangelion style “monster of the week” pattern which hopefully will evolve into and reveal a more complex and rewarding story with later episodes.