影技

"Shadow Skill" is an anime adaptation of the manga of the same name by Okada Megumu, set in a fictional fantasy genre. In terms of its TV version, its release timing was neither too early nor too late, yet it possesses all the qualities to be considered a masterpiece. With its passionate storyline and expansive world-building, it attracted a large following. The content is also uplifting, telling the story of a young boy burdened with an unfortunate past who strives to pursue his dreams. While defending his homeland, he battles evil forces, with the narrative filled with themes of friendship, family, and love... while also exposing the brutality of war. As highlights, I believe the series features numerous distinctive characters and dazzling, spectacular battle scenes. After learning from the experience of two OVAs, the production team completed the TV version, which became the pinnacle of the series. The subsequent new work, "The Secret of Kuruda Ryu Kousatsuhou," fell far short of its predecessor in all aspects except for visual quality... The main setting of the story, Kuruda, is a mercenary kingdom with a history of two thousand years. The strongest mercenaries representing this nation are the training warriors who hold the title of "Sevall." With their formidable and almost unbelievable combat abilities, they serve as pillars protecting the country and objects of fear for their enemies. Our protagonist, Elle Ragu, the 59th-generation training warrior known as "Shadow Skill," stands out as one who earned this title at the historically young age of 14, and notably, she is also a girl. The story begins with her travels alongside her adopted brother, Gau Ban. As a training warrior, Elle bears the heavy responsibility of upholding the nation's honor, yet she lacks the expected dignity. Despite possessing immense power, she is often careless, acts without much thought, and has a tendency to run up debts and indulge in alcohol, leading to a life filled with the sounds of repayment. However, she deeply cares for those around her and possesses a strong sense of justice and responsibility. It is precisely because of her personality that she feels more relatable, which is why Gau became her brother, the talisman master Fowley became her close friend, and she accepted Kyuo as a companion... making the group livelier... Yet, no matter how carefree she may be in daily life, when war arrives, her duty as a "Sevall" compels her to plunge into the flames of battle. As the eastern bulwark protecting the Holy Kingdom of Ashuriana, Kuruda faces invasion from the Kingdom of Soulfan. Following the king's orders, Elle sets out to protect the renowned weaponsmith living in seclusion at the border of the two nations—who is also her older brother, Dias Ragu. The story thus reaches its climax, unveiling Elle's past, introducing historical powerhouses, and revealing long-dormant conspiracies... Unlike the OVAs, the TV version features a significantly expanded cast, covering almost all characters from the manga. It also employs a large number of popular voice actors, fully showcasing the intricate interpersonal relationships among the vividly portrayed characters. The only drawback might be that the supporting characters are so outstanding that Gau Ban, the first male lead, feels exceptionally overshadowed despite appearing throughout the series...