Anime: World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin

I seem to be virtually alone in liking this series; nevertheless, I can only give my own, honest opinion.

World Destruction takes the standard fantasy adventure plot and gives it a neat twist; our heroes are not trying to save the world, but destroy it, this world being one deemed irredeemably broken by our female lead. That the world is declaredly fake elegantly excuses what would otherwise be an embarassingly RPG-cliche world - continents corresponding to the four seasons, occupied by cultures that reflect their landscapes, an oppressed underclass just fighting for their right to be recognised as equals, a single transporter who'll take the leads exactly where the plot wants them to be next. It could easily have been boring, but just enough quirks are thrown in to keep the viewer off balance, so instead what we get is a new take on old formulas - and the world thereby painted is so beautiful that a lot can be forgiven. While the animation is on close examination rather average - some large areas of flat colour, moderate facial detail - it's well used, giving a real sense of a complete world out there - soaring vistas, unique architectures and interesting and varied inhabitants.

Of course, our focus is on three particular inhabitants as they tour the world - again, the plot device elegantly excusing the demands of the form. Where many similar series seem to have the heroes wander aimlessly because that's what heroes do, our leads here are trying desparately to figure out how to use the Destruct Code, but have only vague hints from the device itself to go on. So they travel where it sends them, and we are treated to fresh scenery and to a certain extent a shift in genre with each episode. Along the way our characters gradually reveal more background and forge firmer friendships in a way that, again, could have been irritatingly cliche but instead seems fresh, bright, and interesting. Partly this is the inverted premise at work, partly it is that some genuine thought seems to have gone into the social dynamics of a world shared between humans and beastmen. It's this thoughtfulness that suffuses the series, making every scene a pleasure to watch; this is helped along by a fitting soundtrack, which in turn is supported by clear voice acting and a positively excellent opening theme.

For all this, the series is undeniably trapped within its form. The quest plot while well-executed contains few surprises, the character development is pleasant to watch but follows well-worn lines. There is no deep moral underpinning, and unless one counts the premise, no brilliant stroke of originality. But while World Destruction doesn't do anything new, what it does it does very well.