I first became aware of this series when I saw the Japanese trailer. Amazing visuals complete with Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture made me excited, but also frustrated that it would be years before I could watch the English release. When it finally became available, I snapped it up instantly, which is rare for me since I usually like to watch anime on Youtube first before spending my money on it (shh, don’t tell anyone!). I found that it didn’t contain any Tchaikovsky music and for some odd reason the animation in the trailer isn’t used in the show itself. Still, I was far from disappointed.
Just a few minuets into the first episode, it’s clear that this is a very different take on Shakespeare’s play. The anime opens in the city of Neo Verona, which despite it’s beauty is run by a cruel, corrupt government. Just when you’re thinking this is a little bit Shakespearian, along comes a figure known as the Red Whirlwind, a masked vigilante who fights the big bad government to liberate the people of Neo Verona. After an epic chase/fight scene, the Red Whirlwind almost plummets to his death, but is saved by Romeo, the son of Prince Montague, on the back of his Dragonsteed (the above mentioned dragon horses).
I want one!!
The Red Whirlwind, who is actually named Odin, and friends head back to their home hidden underneath a theatre. They briefly talk to another friend, a frustrated playwright named William. I don’t think I need to mention who he’s based off of.
In the privacy of his room, Odin takes off his wig revealing that he is actually…Juliet!! Now you weren’t expecting that, were you? And that’s just the first of the many unexpected twists and turns that this story takes.
Characters
I said above that this was ‘the classic story of Romeo and Juliet’ but as you might have gathered from the synopsis, this version relates to the play in name only.
Despite Romeo’s name being first in the title, it is actually Juliet who takes centre stage. She is an ass kicking vigilante fighter with a hint of mischievous charm and no real parameters between her masculine and feminine sides. Right from the first episode she goes through a lot of character development as she discovers her responsibilities as the heir to the Capulet throne, yet she always retains at least some of her sweet innocence. I love her character both as a feminist and as soppy romantic. Like Ouran’s Haruhi, I admire how she is almost genderless and doesn’t define herself based on any male or female roles or characteristics.
But even cool action girls deserve a good man in their lives. Romeo has more or less switched roles with Juliet. He goes through a lot of good character development too, but not to such a great extent. He appears a little bland at first, the noble pretty boy who flies around on his dragonsteed and has nothing better to do than rescue falling cross dressers. I’ll put this down to his upbringing as a noble where all he has to do is attend fancy tea parties and do what Daddy says. Watching him develop into a hardworking warrior who would do anything to defend his love and protect his people is wonderful. And like Juliet, he has an adorable charm which makes the two of them so utterly cute together. You’re rooting for them until the very end.
Caaan you feeeel the loooove toniiiight!!
Most of the main characters from the play are there too, but they have also been severely changed. Lord Montague is a vicious, tyrannical king. Mercutio is a slimy evil suck up. Paris is a young girl named Hermione who is engaged to Romeo. And Tybalt…I won’t spoil it but he is certainly very interesting. The only character who remains sort of the same is Benvolio, Romeo’s BFF. His character has actually been more developed and given more attention, which I think is great.
The rest of the cast are either counterparts from the original, such as Juliet’s big sisterly maid Cordelia, or completely new to this story, such as Francisco and Curio who are clearly only there for slash fan girls (I’m not complaining…). And every single character, even the minor ones, are named after a Shakespeare character. Each one of them is just as well written as the heroes, and add their own special flavour to the story.
Story
Again, only the spine of the story is the same as the play. This version takes the star crossed lovers to a Metropolis like world where the nobles live it up at the expense of the commoners. The Montague clan has slain their old rivals the Capulets, and their last descendant Juliet must reclaim her title and give the people of Neo Verona their freedom. Not an easy job for a 16 year old girl! This Les Miserables slant gives the story yet another interesting dynamic, as Juliet discovers that not only is Romeo from a rival family, but that she has to kill his father, the same man who slaughtered her whole family. Starting to feel a bit like a soap opera, right?
Although it may not be a faithful adaptation of the play, the essence of the anime feels very Shakespearian to me. There’s mistaken identities, jealousy, revenge and many many swordfights. Even Hamlet’s play within a play is there!
In terms of romance, the anime fixes the problems that the original had. Instead of deciding to get married immediately after their first meeting, the anime gives Romeo and Juliet more time together and allows their relationship to develop at the normal rate. The scenes lifted from the play are still incredibly beautiful and romantic and serve as some of the key moments of the whole show. The action and romance sides of the series are blended together perfectly and really do each other justice.
Visuals
The top quality storytelling is heightened further by the beautiful imagery of Neo Verona. Clearly it has been based off real life architecture and is used to full effect. Everything from the Palace of the nobles to the graveyard covered in irises where the Capulets are buried are stunning and serve to make the anime a treat for the eyes. Look at the art gallery on the DVD extras and you’ll see the level of detail and attention the animators have put into the scenery.
On top of the backgrounds, almost everything - swords, armour even fancy goblets, has been finely detailed. It’s a great example as animation as an art form.
Some reviewers have said that the animation quality drops in the second half of the series, but I was probably too awestruck to notice. The only thing that got me about the animation was Romeo and Juliet’s occasional doe eyed looks that seem a bit weird. And the fact that their hair and eye colours match. But I suppose that’s for the red verses blue symbolism.
Music
As if the awesomeness levels weren’t high enough already, there is the soundtrack composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, an acclaimed composer of video game music. Unusual for an anime, the opening theme is a soft yet dramatic rendition of ‘You raise me up’ performed by Lena Park.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHYB9u8vt2c
Even this song becomes wonderfully symbolic during the final episode’s climax. The first ending theme is a rock song that sounds like it came from Death Note, and seems pretty out of place to me. The second ending theme is much more fitting, if a little gentle compared to the action that proceeds it.
The background music is incredibly addictive. While writing, I’ve been listening to this song on endless repeat - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odPxFbAImGQ Just a taste of the excitement that the soundtrack stirs in you as you listen to it.
In general
I know it’s not really the job of reviewers to just squee over stuff the like, but truthfully I cannot recommend this series enough. I wish I could find more to complain about but I have nothing. It’s a truly unique anime and a tribute to the works of both Shakespeare and fantasy writers. It’s almost like Shakespeare meets Tolkien meets Fritz Lang. Every part of this anime has been expertly crafted, and I praise everyone who was involved in it for their wonderful work.
I’m not a Shakespeare-holic. Admittedly, the only plays of his that I’ve read were the ones of the school syllabus. But I still enjoyed the numerous Shakespeare quotes and references littered throughout the series. The sudden switching between modern an ye olde englishe can seem strange at times, but it manages to work. Although I imagine this is a great series for hardcore Shakespeare fans, those who don’t know a thing about Shakespeare can still enjoy it just for what it is.
Romeo X Juliet is animation at it’s best. It’s perfect whether you love Shakespeare, fantasy, romance or just great storytelling. I think it more than earns the name of the world’s greatest writer.
My verdict - 10/10
And with that dear friends, we end our play…
You can download the opening song in both English and Japanese from here: http://animeyume.com/main_site.html
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