Claymore (2007)
December 23, 2007
Type: Shounen, Action
Year: 2007
Studio: Madhouse
Overall Rating: 3.7/ 5.0
Reccomendation: Must Watch
There is a huge gap between the rating and reccomendation because I like the series so much, although it has some weakness when compared to other series. In terms of pacing, action and plot Claymore does not lose out to NGE, Junni Kokuki, DN, Monster or any other series. I was glued all the way from Episode 1 to 26. But it loses out in terms of symbolic meaning, because the story is based on some rather simplistic assumptions (that it never really challenges).
Ratings Breakdown:
Visuals: 4.0
Music: 3.5
The visuals and music were attractive enough, but was not the main draw of the series. It was also a little cliche, but doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the series.
Setting: 3.0
Like Junni Kokki, Claymore utilizes medival setting. Unlike Junni Kokki, the medival setting is an merely an assumption and not a well-developed premise, thus it appears to be a convenient excuse to put humans and youma (monsters) together on the same platform, to create conflict. Nothing is known about the medival world, except that we have a mysterious organization which “maintains the balance” between humans and youma, so to speak.
Plot: 4.0
The plot, pacing and story development is water-tight (at least for now). Standing at 26 episodes, Claymore doesn’t waste any of your time. It is one of the most efficient series I’ve ever seen. The battles are fast, riveting, most of it is inter-linked and builds up to the climatic final confrontation. The story also attempts to explore the symbolic meaning of being a ‘monster’ but unfortunately, this is where it falls flat on the face, compared to its counterpart ‘Monster’. The definition here is so much more physical it becomes too clear-cut and simplistic, losing much of its impact.
Characters: 4.0
This series is teeming with alpha-females. You won’t get to see any damsels in distress. You get to see a Raki-in-distress however, which is not a pretty sight. If he cries ‘Clare!’ one more time, I swear I am going to stop watching.
