Dive into our in-depth review and overview of Leviathan Season 1, Netflix’s ambitious anime adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s steampunk novel! Set in an alternate 1914, this 12-episode series pits Clanker machines against Darwinist bioengineered beasts, following fugitive prince Aleksandar von Hohenberg and disguised airship crewmember Deryn Sharp aboard the living airship HMS Leviathan. We break down the plot, from Alek’s escape and Deryn’s daring missions to the climactic Mediterranean battle, analyzing the stunning 3D CG animation by Studio Orange, stellar voice acting by Ayumu Murase and Natsumi Fujiwara, and the series’ diesel-punk charm. While the visuals and themes of identity shine, pacing lulls and vague worldbuilding hold it back. Join us as we explore strengths, weaknesses, comparisons to Fullmetal Alchemist and Last Exile, and what Season 2 could bring! #netflixanime #animereview #anime #leviathananime
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00:00the viathan season one a netflix anime adapting scott westerfeld's two thousand nine steampunk novel transports viewers to an alternate nineteen fourteen where world war i is reimagined as a clash between two technological ideologies the clankers who rely on diesel powered
00:17machines and mechanical walkers and the darwinists who wield bioengineered creatures crafted through advanced genetic manipulation the story centers on two protagonists whose lives intertwine aboard the hms leviathan
00:30a massive living airship resembling a whale engineered by the darwinists as a marvel of organic technology alexander rollick von hohenberg voiced by
00:40ayumumures is the teenage heir to the austro-hungarian throne forced to flee after his parents assassination sparks a political conspiracy disguised as a commoner alec is pursued by clanker forces loyal to the german kaiser who view him as a threat to their war machine
00:57his journey is one of survival as he grapples with his royal identity and the weight of his nation's future meanwhile darwin sharp voiced by natsumi fujiwara is a spirited scottish girl who masquerades as a boy named dillon to join the british air service
01:13her dream of flying leads her to serve aboard the leviathan where she proves her mettle through daring aerial missions the plot kicks off when alex escape from austria leads him to a crash landing in the swiss alps where the leviathan
01:27en route to constantinople with a secretive darwinist cargo rescues him this cargo a clutch of mysterious eggs holds the key to shifting the war's balance drawing the attention of clanker spies and darwinist traders key moments include darren's high stakes repair of the leviathan's hydrogen cells during
01:46a storm showcasing her bravery and all extents negotiations with the airship's crew to secure his safety without revealing his identity their unlikely alliance forms the heart of the series as they navigate cultural divides clanker vs darwinist noble vs commoner while uncovering a plot to sabotage the leviathan
02:06the season's twelve episodes build to a climactic battle over the mediterranean where clanker airships and mechanized walkers assault the leviathan forcing alec and dare in to unite their skills to protect the eggs in the ship
02:18secondary characters like dr nora barlow a sharp-witted darwinist scientist and count volger alec's cunning mentor add depth though some like the ship's captain feel underdeveloped the atmosphere is a heady blend of steampunk grid grimy
02:33gears and hissing pistons juxtaposed with the organic pulsating leviathan whose ecosystem of fabricated beasts like message carrying lizards creates a vivid immersive world
02:45political intrigue betrayals and moral dilemmas such as alec struggled to reject his clanker upbringing enrich the narrative though the dense geopolitics occasionally bog down the pace studio orange and cubic pictures deliver a visual
02:59feast feast with the leviathan wail fused with glowing membranes and symbiotic creatures stealing the spotlight
03:07the clanker machines with their clanking joints and smoky exhaust contrast beautifully though the cg animation while polished lacks the experimental edge of studio orange's beasters or land of the lustrous character designs are expressive
03:21with darin's boyish charm and alex regal poise standing out but background characters sometimes blend into generic archetypes the animation shines in action sequences like the mediterranean battle where the leviathan's swaying tentacles and clanker airship's cannon fire create heart-pounding spectacle
03:39however quieter moments like character interactions in the ship's mess hall occasionally suffer from stiff facial animations the voice acting is a highlight with murray's capturing alex aristocratic vulnerability and fujiwara infusing
03:55darin with fiery determination their chemistry grounds the series especially in scenes where they bicker over clankered arwenist philosophies supporting performances like kanehanazawa as dr barlow ad gravitas but minor characters such as clanker soldiers feel one note with repetitive dialogue
04:14the english dubbe featuring bryce papenbrook as aleck and michel ruff as darin is solid but lacks the original's emotional nuance pacing is a mixed bag the first four episodes zip along establishing the world and characters with flair but
04:28episodes five minus eight sag under the weight of diplomatic subplots such as negotiations with the ottoman empire which overshadow aleck and darin's personal arcs
04:39the finale recovers with a thrilling convergence of action and character growth as darin risks her secret to save aleck and he reveals his heritage to protect the crew the series excels in its diesel punk aesthetic and themes of identity loyalty
04:54and cross-cultural unity echoing full metal altamistis blend of war and personal stakes however it falls short of last exiles narrative clarity as the world-building stumbles with vague explanations of the leviathan's ecosystem like how it sustains its massive by a mass or the egg's true purpose left unresolved for
05:14season two strengths include the inventive setting and the protagonist's dynamic which carries emotional weight despite occasional for example the chosen air
05:24weaknesses lie in the uneven pacing and underdeveloped supporting cast which dilute the stakes of the broader war compared to attack on titan
05:33leviathan trades gritty horror for whimsical adventure but shares its knack for morally gray conflicts the soundtrack blending orchestral swells with mechanical clanks enhances the atmosphere but isn't as memorable as say cowboy beboppy's iconic score
05:49leviathan season one is a bold visually striking adaptation that captures the spirit of westerfeld's steampunk vision delivering a unique take on world war i threw its clanker darwinist divide
06:02the leviathan itself is a character its organic grandeur a testament to studio orange's creativity and aleck and darren's evolving bond provides a heartfelt anchor yet the series struggles with pacing lulls and incomplete world-building
06:16particularly around the darwinist technologies logistics which can frustrate viewers craving clarity while it doesn't reach the narrative heights of full metal altamist or the visual daring of beasters its ambition and charm make it a compelling addition to the steampunk anime canon
06:32looking ahead i'm optimistic about season two the unresolved threads such as the egg's purpose and aleck's claim to the throne set the stage for deeper exploration if the writers tighten the pacing and flesh out secondary characters leviathan could rival the genres best for now
06:50it's a thrilling if imperfect ride that fans of last exile or the wind rises will find captivating blending age
