According to legend, Gilgamesh was the fifth king of ancient Babylon whose deeds were immortalized in the 7th-century Epic of Gilgamesh. In the anime, the tomb of the Babylonian king has been located, a tomb within which there is a door into an alternate dimension. Over the site, a massive research facility called Heaven's Gate was created, a facility where the world's best and brightest scientists had gathered to do research. However, on 10 October, one of the scientists, Madoka Terumichi (known as Enkidu through the Chinese pronounciation of his name), blows up the facility, causing a massive EMP shockwave that destroys all computers in the world and creates what becomes known as the Sheltering Sky, a layer of electrical interference in the atmosphere. Because of the date of the occurance, the incident became known as Twin X.
It is in this world, under the surreal mirror of the Sheltering Sky, that Madoka Kiyoko and Madoka Tatsuya live, bearing the knowledge that it was their father who brought this catastrophe to the world. Over the course of the anime, through encounters with those who were disciples of his father and those who wish for a return to the world as it was, they begin to learn more about their father, his motivations, and most importantly, about themselves and their origins.
Credits: shinsengumi
Story & Characters
According to legend, Gilgamesh was the fifth king of ancient Babylon whose deeds were immortalized in the 7th-century
Epic of Gilgamesh. In the anime, the tomb of the Babylonian king has been located, a tomb within which there is a door
into an alternate dimension. Over the site, a massive research facility called Heaven's Gate was created, a
facility where the world's best and brightest scientists had gathered to do research. However, on 10 October, one
of the scientists, Madoka Terumichi (known as Enkidu through the Chinese pronounciation of his name), blows up the
facility, causing a massive EMP shockwave that destroys all computers in the world and creates what becomes known as the
Sheltering Sky, a layer of electrical interference in the atmosphere. Because of the date of the occurance, the
incident became known as Twin X.
It is in this world, under the surreal mirror of the Sheltering Sky, that Madoka Kiyoko and Madoka Tatsuya live, bearing
the knowledge that it was their father who brought this catastrophe to the world. Over the course of the anime, through
encounters with those who were disciples of his father and those who wish for a return to the world as it was, they
begin to learn more about their father, his motivations, and most importantly, about themselves and their origins.
The anime certainly sets up a very interesting world with very interesting constraints, and the plot keeps on getting
more and more interesting as it progresses. The ending, however, did not seem to make the best use of the possibilities
set forth in preceeding episodes, though it was most certainly a conclusion to the series.
Rating: 8
Art
Admittedly, the artwork for Gilgamesh takes much getting used to. It's not that the art quality is terrible;
rather, the style simply differs much from the norm, especially in drawing the characters. The style is sharper in many
ways; gone are the distinctive large eyes of traditional anime, for example, and in their place are distinctive
almond-shaped eyes. The artwork definitely scores points for innovation, and the character designs on a whole are
excellent.
The art quality, however, could be better, and the animation, while good, is not great. All things considered, the
innovative design (some might say too innovative) simply is not enough to fully outweigh the slightly lackluster art
quality.
Rating: 5
Sound
While the opening theme, by Koda Kumi, is certainly nice and catchy, the rest of the soundtrack is not particularly
noteworthy. It does what it needs to in order to set the tone, but nothing more. It is certainly not something one
would listen to by itself and for its own sake.
There is one clear exception to the rule. Music plays a significant role in the series, and in particular a piece that
was a particular favorite of Enkidu, one we are introduced to in the prologue during the first episode, before he
inituates Twin X. This piece is never named throughout the series (it's always referred to as "that
piece"); it is in fact the second movement to Beethoven's fifth piano concerto, and is perhaps one of the best
pieces written for that instrument.
The opening theme by Koda Kumi is catchy and upbeat. . . no complaints there. The ending theme, on the other hand,
while it has a great melodic line and excellent orchestration, the sound of the artist, Yuko Ando, leaves much to be
deserved. She has an odd way of stressing certain words, and her voice simply doesn't have the practiced, polished
quality of most artists. In other words, it would have been a very nice, calming, ED theme had it been performed by any
other artist.
Rating: 6
Presentation
In the originality category, Gilgamesh certainly does extremely well, as it certainly sets forth a very intriguing world
with interesting constraints and attributes in which its characters can interact. The plot and plot development are
also excellent, though as noted above, the ending seems to simply sweep so many of the possibilities aside and really
squander much of the setup done in the episodes leading up to the final confrontation.
The story also has a slight hint of incest to it. Certain scenes, especially, stand out as such if taken completely out
of context. Also, throughout the series Tatsuya is suspected of having a sister complex. This element may be
considered by some as being gratuitous and may easily sour for some what would otherwise be very compelling
characters.
All in all, Gilgamesh is certainly a very interesting anime and one quite distinct from most other series in most
aspects, most obviously in its art. However, its sheer distinctiveness may also be its downfall, and, when combined
with the fact that its art quality and music are nothing to boast about, makes it little more than a good effort.
Rating: 7
Final Verdict
6.8333 (above average)
Reviewed by shinsengumi, Jun 01, 2005