Three creators were brought into a room:Summer Ghostauthor Hirotaka Adachi, legendaryFinal Fantasydesigner Yoshitaka Amano, and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. Together with director Yuzou Satou, these artists createdException, a Netflix original that will undoubtedly be slept on this year, but that deserves to be recognized.
Released on October 13,Exceptionis a story about a crew of copied humans sent ahead to terraform a new planet for humanity, while their original bodies are in cryo-sleep on their way. When their biological 3D printer, called “Womb”, malfunctions, one of the crew is misprinted as a monster that could threaten the mission’s success. WhenException’s trailerwas released on Netflix Anime’s YouTubechannel, it was met with a heavy sum of dislikes. While there are - at present - more likes than dislikes, the latter was - and remains - considerable. As a 3D anime with a very distinct and atypical visual style, it isn’t hard to see why.
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An Exception To The Rule?
3D anime often comes under far more criticism than 2D animation, namely for how Japanese studios have typically had far better success with hand-drawn animation. Western animation may have come close to perfecting 3D animation’s appeal, but anime has had a long road.Though newer series likeBeastarsorLand of the Lustroushave started to change things, a stigma remains.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the bizarre visual style that the significance of the show’s character designer may be lost on viewers. Yoshitaka Amano is the man primarily responsible for the aesthetic ofFinal Fantasy, especially in its early years. Their style is so distinct that some viewers might find themselves scratching their heads, wondering where they’ve seen something like it before until they are reminded it’s the manbehindFF’s most iconic artwork.
Perhaps then, the significance of the artwork wasn’t lost on detractors of the new series and rather they were displeased to see Amano’s talents “wasted.” Though that’s all conjecture, and all that is solely inferred based on anime’s past with 3D. Plus, visually speaking, the marketing didn’t put its strongest foot forward.
And it’s truly a shame because this series actually looks quite good and far more consistent than other efforts. 3D’s potential is often limited by the animators' attempts to replicate 2D or the audience’s insistence on expecting 2D results. So perhaps it isbecause of the wildly different art stylethat this show manages to distance itself from said expectations.
Everything from architecture to fashion to the character designs themselves feels a particularly fantastical kind of science fiction that no doubt has roots in diverse cultural influences. While director Yuzo Satou has primarily directed in 2D, it may be 3D where he shows exceptional promise (trust that these are not intentional puns).
There’s rarely a scene that lacks visual flare or a striking camera angle to wring the character acting for all it’s worth. Especially early on, when locations and concepts are being introduced, the imagery feels impactful and seldom held back by something “off” in the acting or framing. Even an overall impressive show likeGhost in the Shell SAC_2045had more visual hiccups than this series.
What Is Human?
This review is being written having watchedExceptionin English and if there is anything more disappointing than the lack of hype for this series, it is the lack of hype for its cast in particular. The English cast is a star-studded affair. Iconic voice actors Robbie Daymond and Ali Hillis are joined by screen actors Eugene Byrd and Nadine Nicole.
Nolan North plays double-duty as Lewis, both the misprinted version and another, normal version of him that is printed later. It may very well beone of North’s best performances in years, capitalizing on the dulcet tones he is known for, while also seeing him contort his voice more monstrously, slowly becoming clearer as time passes.
Everyone was cast exceptionally, and the vocal direction courtesy of Studiopolis was splendid. The all-star cast, and the script help to elevate each other and the production itself above what many might have expected it to be initially. The story begins with a simple monster premise that quickly evolves into something unexpected.
Some science fiction is so divorced from the confines of traditional reality, that it can bend certain rules of writing and still feel natural. The exposition and the leading of primary themes through dialog don’t feel unnatural. The characters are aware that their existence as copiesputs into question their own humanity, and they aren’t afraid to talk about it.
Do they discuss it to vent some frustration or stress with not knowing the answers, or could it be that,becausethey have some contextual idea of their purpose in life that they aren’t afraid of those questions? And if theyareasking these questions about the soul because they don’t feel confident in about answers, how are they any different from any other human?
It’s fascinating to hear their differing perspectives, all shaped by the memories of their “originals” - their human selves in cryo-sleep. When Lewis is misprinted, it’s onlythe beginning of many discussions on ethics, as they discuss killing Lewis to safeguard their mission. But Patty, the crew’s botanist, is resolute that they shouldn’t kill him.
After all, he can speak and despite his animalistic tendencies, there is some trace of humanity within him. What defines humanity, both the beautiful and ugly, come to define this series, as the show ponders how people use actions and symbolic affirmation of virtue to reaffirm themselves as human, and therefore valid.
But Lewis, his misprint, and the threat of a monster only scratch the surface ofException’s larger plot andthe mystery at the heart of the series. It’s a misdirection, but one that doesn’t change anything about the core questions that lure the audience in. If the aforementioned philosophical questions have piqued your interest, this show is well worth your time.
Exception’s subversive and surprisingly satisfying mystery bring to mind 2015’sRokka: Braves of the Six Flowers. It was a niche show from studio Passione that began as what looked like an exciting, if somewhat cheap, action show, and then turned into a mystery. It was unexpected, full of characters suspecting one another, and in the end, both satisfying and disappointing.
However,Rokkawas disappointing because it left audiences with a cliffhanger for a sequel that has yet to come. But nevertheless, as the last episode began, the thought occurredwhetherExceptioncould stick the landing… and for the most part, it did.
Not only was the action shockingly tense and well-choreographed, but its double-length runtime ensured it had plenty of time to wrap up each character arc. It could have easily been rushed and unsatisfying, but the end result was patient. There were some moral questions that never felt like they were attacked thoroughly enough, but the ending received was hard-fought, and well worth it.
Exceptionmight not change how audiences feel about 3D animation overnight, but this science fiction drama is an intriguing binge in its own right. Lovers of mystery, philosophy and abstract visions of the future would be remiss to push aside such a lovely package.
