Two Super New Spy Anime Coming Out This Fall
by Tito W. James
I commented in my review for Princess Principal that the spy genre is underutilized in Anime. Gadgets, girls, villains, action, and mind games; there’s so much overlap between what Anime does well and what makes for a good spy story. It appears that Anime companies have read my mind (or hacked my computer), because this Fall we’re treated to two original espionage anime.
The series is about a girl named Momo who attends high school in the city of Sorasaki. However, she is secretly a member of Tsukikage, an intelligence agency that protects people. As a new member of the agency, she works alongside her colleagues including her senior, Yuki and friends. Together, they work to establish peace in the city.
Release The Spice looks like Magical Girl Madoka but with spies. With cute girls, killer fight scenes, and a kickin’ soundtrack, Release The Spice could become one of my new favorite series. The characters look unique and if the trailer is any indication, we’re in for a fun time.
The city state of Lisvalletta. Two suns rise above this city, and the people here live peaceful lives, but in the shadows, crime and illegal drugs run rampant. Among them is the dangerous, highly lethal drug “Anthem” which casts a dark shadow over the city. The SEVEN-O Special Crime Investigation Unit specializes in cracking down on Anthem. This unit operates in two-man “buddy” teams in what’s called the “Double Decker System” to tackle the problem. Doug Billingham is a seasoned investigator, and joining him is Kirill Vrubel, whose abilities are mysterious and unknown.
Double Decker is a spiritual successor to Tiger and Bunny, starring two buddy cops where the rookie is mentored by the veteran. The vibe reminds me of the cult anime, Big O, with a focus on atmosphere and adult characters. It should also be noted that Double Decker has good-looking CG incorporated into its overall design. Anime has had a bad track record for seamlessly blending 2D and 3D animation, so it’s refreshing that this show appears to be utilizing the best of both worlds.