Levius Season 1 (2019) Review

Steam, steel, and struggle in a striking sci-fi arena.

Over the past few years, anime has slowly moved toward full CGI productions, with studios experimenting to find the best mix of eye-popping visuals and moving stories. A company leading this charge is Polygon Pictures, known for movies like BLAME! and Knights of Sidonia. Their work has often been praised for its aim but criticized for being too stiff.

Polygon Pictures has made one of its best series yet with Levius. The series, based on the manga by Haruhisa Nakata, is a major step forward for the company and CGI anime in general. Levius is a stylish, high-concept anime streaming on Netflix worldwide. 

It is often compared to shows like Kengan Ashura and Megalo Box. But, contrary to what most people thought at first, Levius isn't copying from other shows of the same time; its source material comes from before many of them, giving it its own style long before it was drawn.

When it debuted in 2012, Levius joined a genre of comics already full of stories about fighting.

Still, it stood out for its unique blend of steampunk style with traditional boxing techniques. The show isn't based on supernatural powers or over-the-top methods. Instead, it's based on "Metal Boxing," a brutal sport in which fighters use steam-powered cybernetics to enhance their bodies.

The cartoon version keeps the main idea but changes parts of the story to make it easier to follow. Nakata's original vision has been preserved, even though some elements were changed or toned down, especially the manga's violent scenes. The result is a series that combines the imagination of the industrial age with modern storytelling techniques. It shows a world where the mental and physical scars of war are still visible.

Levius is mainly about a young boy who is changed by disaster. Levius Cromwell is a war orphan whose parents died in a terrible war that left the world in a weak, healing state. His uncle Zack, who used to fight in the underground, takes him in. This is where Levius's journey starts.

The world is a different version of the 19th century, with looks that evoke the early 20th century's hopes for technology. There are many more uses for steam power than just trains and factories. It has led to cybernetic enhancements and mechanized limbs. Because of technological advances, Metal Boxing has become popular worldwide. Prosthetics powered by steam are used by competitors in this sport, and they must adhere to a set of rules.

Levius not only enters this world with the intention of achieving certain goals, but also pursues them because he is emotionally and existentially compelled to do so. Levius trains and fights with assistance from notable individuals such as Bill Weinberg, Natalia Garnet, and Zack. Gradually, he discovers a new sense of purpose. Every bout is more than simply a fight; it is a means of healing, discovering who you are, and staying alive.

That the story manages to establish a balance between spectacle and closeness is one of the reasons why it is so compelling. At first glance, it appears to be a sports cartoon showing a battle between two athletes. On the other hand, there is a narrative about suffering, family, and persevering through difficult circumstances. At first, Levius is a character who is quite straightforward, with his determination being the primary defining characteristic. However, as his history and the emotional struggles he has faced are investigated, he becomes more complex.

There is a strong emphasis on developing ties in the first episodes, particularly between Levius and Zack. The way they engage with one another is genuine; moments of tension and awkwardness are followed by moments of mutual respect. Through these more leisurely segments, a solid emotional foundation is established, which in turn makes the more dramatic fight scenes more impactful.

A pattern begins to emerge as the narrative progresses.

The enemies that Levius must contend with are more than just a challenge; each one has its own narrative. The fact that many of these adversaries wind up aiding Levius in various ways is an interesting development. The story has a sense of continuity and growth because of the "fight, understand, connect" framework, which is mentioned multiple times throughout the narrative. This structure is consistent with the theme of establishing a family while facing difficult circumstances.

However, there are a few issues with this approach as well. Episodes help present a large number of distinct characters, but they can also make the tale feel rather formulaic. As the episodes go on, the formula becomes clear, which makes new meetings a little less exciting.

The pace is also all over the place. The show goes quickly, sometimes too quickly, with only 12 episodes. Certain pivotal emotional beats and character developments feel crammed in, leaving some narrative threads unresolved. This is especially clear in the second half of the series, where background information is thrown in quickly to set up what's coming next rather than fitting naturally into the story.

Another part of the story that doesn't work well is the main bad guy, Dr. Clown. His appearance is striking, yet his role isn't as significant as others'. His actions and reasons are a bit predictable, and in the end, A.J. Langdon's story takes center stage, carrying most of the emotional weight in the climax.

Despite its flaws, the main story remains compelling.

When the final episode arrives, the emotional bonds forged throughout the series give the conclusion weight, even if it doesn't entirely deliver. Levius's artistic presentation is one of its best features. The show uses CGI to great effect, giving scenes a level of detail and fluidity that is rare even in cartoons today. The vistas are breathtaking, vividly portraying existence in a world ravaged by war, yet marked by technological progress.

Even dark industrial stadiums or cityscapes with limited lights add to the ambiance. The steampunk style isn't just a choice of looks; it's an important part of making the world. Just as impressive are character models. Levius has a surprising level of reality and flexibility compared to earlier CGI anime, which were often stiff. The movements feel natural, especially during fight scenes where the routine is fast-paced and simple to follow. 

The fight scenes are some of the best parts of the movie. It's very clear how each punch feels, how steam escapes, and how the mechanical stress on cybernetic arms is shown. However, the viewing experience has some issues. The action can become chaotic, making it hard to follow what's happening. This is similar to a problem seen in manga, where the art style can sometimes make things less clear.

There is a great sound experience along with the pictures.

The music is a crucial aspect of keeping the show's vibe. It goes from fast, furious songs during battles to softer, more emotional songs during character-driven episodes. The opening song, "Wit and Love," has a sound that sets it apart from other songs. It establishes the series's mood, a mix of action and thoughtfulness. The song "Child Dancer" at the end makes you ponder more about the finish of each show.

The sound design during fights is worth talking about. The steel clang of strikes, the hiss of steam, and the calm mechanical sounds all make the action seem more real. These elements serve to make the action feel real and intriguing by giving it a sense of place. Voice acting is also a big element of the whole thing. The characters have a wide range of emotions, from Levius's calm persistence to Zack's harsh but compassionate nature.

There are times when the story falls flat, but the performances help keep the emotional truth. Levius is an excellent show when it comes to differences. It has a lot of action and is quite emotional. It certainly gives you something to chew on. It doesn't reinvent the wheel in sports anime, but it does carve out its own space in a crowded market.

This is largely due to its unique steampunk visuals and its willingness to confront the darker aspects of pain. The game's appeal hits you right away. The visuals are stunning, the gameplay is a thrill, and the narrative about family and dreams truly connects. On the other hand, the series's pacing and its storytelling methods present challenges.

The story progresses too quickly, the structure feels overly familiar, and the antagonist lacks the necessary depth to truly resonate, preventing it from reaching its full potential. No matter what problems it has, Levius wins most importantly: it makes you care. By the end of the season, Levius's trip has meaning, and the world he lives in is worth going back to.

Levius is a great anime for people who like fighting shows or want to see something artistically different. Sometimes it gets lost, but it never loses sight of what it's really about: a boy fighting not just for a win, but for a place to call home.