कबनेरी ऑफ़ द आयरन फोर्ट्रेस

It's impossible not to compare this to AoT in your mind reflexively, but it is without question it's own anime.

Yes it's another Post-Apocalypse show with a dash of "Steampunk" style action thrown in, with a hero with a special ability, but that is were the similarities end.

Overall it's a bleak and beautiful world hanging on by its nails, and as it tries to claw its way back from the edge humanities self-destructive tendencies strike as is to often the case.

When watching Kabaneri, everyone catches flashbacks to Attack of the Titans, and I am no exception here. It's still the same plot that there are humans and then there are kabanehs (you recognize that, right? Humans and titans). There are kabane infected with a deadly virus and become monsters, and there are kabaneri who have the abilities of kabane but retain a human appearance. All the same walls around cities that we're used to seeing, except there's also a huge train around which events unfold. There's a young girl running around killing everyone around her. All in all, those who like anime will like it, but for once to watch, to be honest.

If you like AOT it's got enough in common to make you watch but it's differences make it its own show. However, it's not as well fleshed out as AOT. The characters such as ikoma, ayame and mumei are interesting but they could use more character development. Also, i actually like the pop rock with the action scenes, it's different. The threat of the Kabane though suspenseful and compelling isn't explored well enough to me. Maybe I missed something but the show doesnt explain where they come from, how they came to be and how exactly the main antagonist uses them. The threat switching more so from kabane to human is a bit jarring because it happens quickly. The show is good especially the last 3 episodes which are exciting but they are rushed. A lot happens and i feel most shows would've stretched those last several episodes into 6-9 episodes easily. 12 episodes isn't enough to adequately flesh out the show but to keep it short I feel like 20-24 would've done it. Some motives, back stories, etc are cut short or i feel ignored entirely but otherwise an enjoyable fast paced show. A solid 8.

The world is in the midst of an industrial revolution when near-immortal monsters appear and, through infection, turn humans into undead creatures: the Kabane. These monsters' only weakness seems to lie in their hearts, but these are protected by a thick layer of iron, requiring tremendous firepower or physical strength to destroy.

On the island of Hinomoto in the Far East, humans have built stations to protect themselves from these creatures; the transportation of people and goods between these stations takes place with the help of huge steam locomotives called hayajiro. The inventive Ikoma not only helps build these locomotives, he has also developed his own weapon to fight the evil creatures with.

When one day his home, the Aragane station, is overrun by Kabane, he tries to save himself with other survivors on board the Koutetsujou. After being bitten while successfully fending off a Kabane, he decides to sacrifice himself to allow the others to escape. However, he is saved at the last second by the mysterious Mumei, who explains to him what he has become: a hybrid of human and Kabane - a Kabaneri.

"Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress" actually surprised me positively, but that was probably because I wasn't expecting much.

The anime looks nice, just like the fights.

The story is relatively predictable, but the anime is still fun.

But it's mainly something for the eye.

There's not much (that I know of) in the zombie/steampunk world and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is a sold, interesting and generally likable entry into this market.

Its helped in this effort by some interesting world-building, the zombie (Kabane) outbreak seems to have happened at the height of the Japanese samurai age, with survivors grouped in great walled cities protected by samurai musket-men. At the start in particular there is a good focus on class, honor and society. These cities are connected by great iron railways on which armored trains run, taking supplies and people from one to the next, running the gauntlet of horrific zombie hordes from which, a single bite proves entirely fatal..

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress starts strong with a great two part episode showing the horrific attack of the Kabane (basically fast zombies with flowing hearts, eyes and a nasty bite) on a walled survivors city. Its a great two episodes with a high body count, some terrific action and a desperate escape by armored train. Alas the series steadily looses it's way, but the ride is nevertheless enjoyable while it lasts.

Whats good?

• While it lasts, the story is quite enjoyable, being a sort of bizzaro 'Battlestar Galactica on rails' as our heroes and survivors try to reach safety aboard the great steam train. Its tense, interesting and fresh.
• The supporting cast is largely interesting and well voiced. You care for them more then our main characters anyway.
• The Kabane make for a horrific, interesting foe, a worthy entry into the zombie market.
• Mumei is...well for the first half of the series quite an interesting, watchable character, seeing how the survivors view her and Ikoma is quite interesting.
• The animation is generally excellent as is the character design, the use of CGI (for the iron trains) is solid and the Japanese voicework is similarly good.
• Excellent opening track, one of the best, a thunderous operatic ode.

Whats bad?

• Ikoma makes for a...well a fairly unlikable lead. He's not as bad as some might make out, but he is a little irritating and his character arc is fumbled.
• The second half makes a regrettable choice to focus on more human enemies. These enemies are both obvious, cliche and uninteresting, the second half is watchable but a notable drop in tension, interest and horror.
• This coincides with a notable change in Mumei from bad-ass mysterious warrior to the 'oni-chan' damsel in distress, hugely regrettable.

Conclusion This is a solid series, particularly for those into zombies, steamtrains and samurai, three things that don't normally appear together. While, yes, it probably never would have been made if Attack on Titan didn't exist it really is different enough to warrant a watch. Try it, enjoy it and don't watch the follow up (bleh)