User Reviews

(Contains a minor Spoiler or two) I was starting to get sick of series that were a little too full of existential quandaries about the nature of existence or weird stuff like that. 'Geisters' is a very nice and refreshing break from what's out there now. A true sci-fi epic of 26 episodes (I've only seen 1-13 off of the original Japanese DVD release) it also combines 2D and 3D animation.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, 300 years after an asteroid collides with the earth. Humanity was split into two groups: The Shioru: descendants of people who took shelter underground in massive geocities, and The Dobias (aka the `DeBeers') who were people who avoided the effects of the asteroid impact on orbital platforms above the earth who return after just under 300 years after the impact. In that mean time, the Earth has become a very different place, with most of what was once livable land now covered by glaciers and deserts. But the real problem is now most of earth is also dominated by new and vicious silicon-based life forms. (SPOILER: we find out later that these silicon based life forms, (`siliconians') had evolved on earth since the prehistoric age, but were simply dormant and awakened by the impact). The GEISTERS, are a special forces military unit of the Dobias assembled specifically to deal with threats posed by the siliconian creatures.

Of course, the two main groups of humans can't help but start fighting each other leading to some very tense situations. As these two groups are each lead by a group of dominant families (7 families for the Dobias, 12 Families for the Shioru) good old political maneuvering of every conceivable level, the likes of which make Gundam seem like a lesson in neighborly behavior. The Geisters team gets caught in the middle and very soon the audience is exposed to plans within plans on both sides.

This is one of those series that you have to pay attention to. Turn away for too long, and you have probably missed something important. An immense amount of detail has been put into all of the different factionary forces from the different flags and uniform of the 7 Dobias families, to the design of all the different ships, weapons, and creatures that roam the earth. There is a combination of 2D and 3D art that is a bit harsh on the eyes during the first 3 or 4 episodes, but it gets much better very quickly after that. The use of many different characters, each with a very well developed background, makes for some exciting plot twists and a lot of surprises. The presence of silicon monsters, desert nomad tribes, vicious mercenaries, and the constant threat of a Dobian civil war makes for plenty of decent action which is actually connected to the story and not just thrown in to keep people watching.

Like any anime series, the first 2-3 episodes can be a little hard to get through, but I am very glad I stuck with it. The series itself is a Japanese-Korean co production, and the current political situation in Korea is something you can tell had an influence (2 groups of humans sharing the same earth ready to go at each other at a moments notice.?)

I went into this series thinking I wouldn't like it. Thinking it wasn't true anime or that the 3D element would make it too difficult to get through. I was very glad to have been mistaken on all counts. I would urge anyone that is a fan of anime or sci-fi, or if you just like intelligent programming, to check this title out. I'm half way thru' and I am definitely hooked! Worth your time.