Forum - View topicKey the Metal Idol
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Darknight55
 Posts: 53 |
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I've been looking into this show recently and I'm not sure what to make of it... a Pinocchioesque tale according to one review that was in the vein of Lain? I'm not sure I'm too sold on the concept... and frankly after reading a summary of what happens in the first episode it sounds fairly stereotypical...robot girl fighting against mysterious organization, etc. However lots of reviewers have given it critical acclaim. Does it transcend that somewhat kooky/cliche sounding premise? - Thanks
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 19138 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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Although its initial set-up may remind one of Pinocchio, Key the Metal Idol is one of the most wholly original anime series you'll ever see. Nothing I've seen before or since resembles it much. It does use some traditional Japanese elements which commonly pop up in anime (knowing what a miko is will help in appreciating the series, and it has some scathing things to say about the way the Japanese entertainment industry chews up and spits out idol singers), but it also avoids the cutesiness so pervasive in anime. It tells a completely serious and highly involving story which features strongly-defined characters, one of the best of all anime villains in the thoroughly deplorable Jinsaku Ajo, and one of the more unusual series climaxes you'll ever see. It also leaves in doubt until the next-to-last episode whether or not Tokiko "Key" Mima is really a robot who wishes to become a girl or a seriously messed-up girl who believes she's a robot. Either way, her seemingly-improbable desire to become an idol singer despite her robotic nature is where the series' title comes from.
On the technical side, the artistry is unlikely to impress and does show its age (the series dates to 1994), but at times there are some subtle changes to Key's appearance that are both intentional and very important to the plot. You'll have to watch very closely to catch them, as some are very brief. It features a superb soundtrack loaded with lots of great '90s adult contemporary and pop-rock songs as well as the wonderful series theme "Lullaby;" all the songs are sung in English for the dubbed version. I thought the English dub was quite well-done, but opinions may vary on that. The episode structure is a little weird, as it has 13 regular-length episodes followed up by 90-minute episodes 14 and 15 - and you need to see the latter two to get the whole story. Fortunately they're all normally available on only 3 DVDs, so it's a highly cost-effective series. And do make sure you watch completely through the closing credits on the final episode, as there are bonus homages in the credits and a bonus scene at the end. Key the Metal Idol is one of my all-time favorite series (as you can probably guess by my avatar and ID). I highly recommend it for anyone who's looking for a serious drama more than a bit off the well-trodden anime path. |
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CastMember1991
 Posts: 869 |
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Just checked out the first episode. It's really interesting, a lot better than Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy even.
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