Blade Runner: Black Lotus

Like most people who watch this show, I am a huge fan of both the Blade Runner films. I feel like this show both respects the films and creates something completely new. It takes clear inspiration from the look of the original world but indulges us into an area of the Blade Runner world we've never seen.

For the most part the show is well animated. The great animation can really be seen in the hand to hand combat fight scenes. However, as it is entirely computer animated some of the character's faces do feel a little stiff in some scenes. I do feel like this show definitely benefited from being computer animated as the lighting is far better than almost any hand-drawn animated film.

Only 5 episodes in and the story has hooked me. The current rating I've given this show is an 8 but if the story pays off that number will definitely go up.

A young female who has amnesia and deadly combat skills tries to find out if she is a replicant or not.

Set in 2032, between Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (1982) and Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Blade Runner, Black Lotus is intriguing brought to life with CGI animation and some decent voice acting. The soundtrack and sound design deserves a mention capturing the Blade Runner vibe. For fans a few familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe appear.

Directed by Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama offer some well staged action, stunning visuals and backdrops. The animators capture the futuristic urban, gritty, environments impressively but the characters are less impressive and the computer game-like animation takes you out of the moment (reminiscent of the later CG-animated Resident Evil feature length films).

Overall, it's just a pity it wasn't live action or traditionally animated. Nevertheless, if you can get past the CGI style - you're in for a treat.

Jeez, the book by Dick has little to do with 'Blade Runner' if you go by what is 'allowed'. There's only been 2 episodes so far and I am gonna watch the third for sure (as will everyone of the people downvoting it on here 18 of 20 reviews, ha). It's a little predictable I'm thinking It's going along the lines of 'Westworld', but I'm gonna see if there's a twist or some more story lines. The animation is fine and rich and well done and interesting and it is what it is, I find the fight scenes to be great and they do have a 'computer game feel' but also a realism, which I think looks mint. All animation should have it's own feel, and this does. It's got the replicants it's got the masive billboard lady. It's got the rainy neon noodle bar, there'll be some arigami at some point I hope. If this was even remotely bad I wouldn't be happily anticipating the next episiode. Arigat0 Adult Swim.

It is Los Angeles in the year 2032; Elle, a young woman, wakes up with no recollection of her past. An early confrontation shows that she is highly proficient in martial arts and other combat skills. She sets about finding out who she is; once she has learnt enough she sets about getting revenge on those who abused her and those like her.

I know a lot of people were disappointed by this but I really liked it. I thought it nicely captured the feel of the Blade Runner films. At first I was unsure about the 3D animation but once the action started I thought it was great. Some may say the characters could be more realistic; I'm not so sure... the closer animated characters come to looking human the more one wonders why it isn't live action. Elle is a fine central character, even if her big twist which is revealed very early on, will be obvious to most viewers. The story moves at a decent pace. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of 'Blade Runner' or animated sci-fi action in general... at least give it a go; if you don't like it you can always drop it.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

2021 is a very special year for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Birdgirl came out and that show was a pandering joke, Final Space returned with it's glorious third season, (and yet, I'm still furious that TBS canceled Final Space on a heavy cliffhanger which was totally unfair) Rick and Morty ended up becoming a dumpster fire after it's horrid fifth season due to the characters becoming unlikable, fast-pased episodes and crude, vulgar and abysmal jokes, Tuca & Bertie finally entered aired on Adult Swim with the pleasant vibe from it's second season, Teenage Euthanaias was a decent show and Fena: Pirate Princess was a great show and it had a very interesting story.

Now after I watched Blade Runner: Black Lotus, I just got interested in it. It reminds me a lot like MTV's Eon Flux, but unlike Eon Flux, Blade Runner: Black Lotus has CGI animation and what can I say, I like the animation.

Just like Final Space and Primal, Blade Runner: Black Lotus has smart, dark and mature storytelling and it also has serious moments filled with action fight scenes. I like the voice acting and impressive atmosphere of the show. And yes, I've watched the film, Blade Runner: 2049 which premiered on Adult Swim. Nope, I'm not joking.

I think fans of Blade Runner and Adult Swim fans should really give this show a chance and like it, it's a really great show and yes...this ended up becoming one of my favorite Adult Swim cartoons. Speaking of Adult Swim, I want them to make more and more adult animated shows with mature, dark and dramatic storytelling rather than raunchy comdies.

Oh and I want Adult Swim to revive Final Space and renew Final Space for three more seasons, Adult Swim has revived Home Movies, Samurai Jack and Tuca & Bertie so I'm sure (and I hope) Adult Swim can revive and renew Final Space. SAVE FINAL SPACE!

I give Blade Runner: Black Lotus a 9.5/10.