Valkyrie Drive is an ambitious (somewhat) media franchising project presented by none other than Marvelous, the company behind the ecchi-heavyweight franchise that is Senran Kagura. Originally announced as a project with 3 main components comprising of an original anime series, a handheld action game, and a mobile social game, the 12-episode anime Mermaid is another entry into a small but growing list of anime that are "too hot for TV"; that is to say, much of the main visual content is censored in order to titillate viewers and drive sales of the uncensored home release. While I think most indifferent viewers would write this off as a cheap gimmick, the censored TV run more-or-less serves as marketing for what Mermaid actually delivers: big ol' titties. (NSFW)
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| I was NOT joking |
Mermaid is quite a peculiar anime. It sports a layered premise that lends itself quite well to explore many themes, and to the show's credit, acknowledges several of them on a surface level, rather than being oblivious to its potential. Some girls are infected by the "A Virus" (AKA "Armed Virus") and are exiled to islands, enclosed within strong barriers, until a government organization deems them ready to rejoin society. The exiles on the titular island Mermaid have largely organized under the leadership of what appears to be the only man on the island, who strives to maintain order and find a way off the island. The Armed Virus manifests itself in two ways, resulting in Extars and Liberators. Extars transform into a weapon of sorts when sexually aroused, and Liberators have the ability to wield the weapon form of an Extar, called Liberator Arms. This particular dynamic of people becoming weapons isn't exactly new (notably seen in Guilty Crown; Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a more recent example), but combined with the lawless island, gives rise to a militaristic faction to combat the dangers of anomie. It's Lord of the Flies except they actually open their flies and bring both action and action.
To briefly praise the technical aspects, studio ARMS delivers well-animated "liberating" (Extars need to be aroused!) as well as satisfying action sequences. Fight choreography can be underwhelming at times due to the nature of some Liberator Arms, but visual effects often make up for the more basic stuff. Sound design is quite good, accentuating the power of Liberator Arms, and the meaty Foley effects add some nice weight to the yuri affairs. The opening and ending sequences are memorable and energetic.
Now, those aspects alone are probably enough to carry an ecchi show, but the fun of Mermaid doesn't stop there. You see, despite its absurdities, Mermaid takes itself seriously. So much so that if you go in just for the ecchi, you are likely to be somewhat disappointed. Softcore sequences are preceded by exposition and a moving plot, which does its best to create intrigue and tension. Just as soon as the audience has understood the apparent scope of the Armed Virus, exceptions are introduced, keeping up the engagement. We meet the people unfit for the militaristic faction. The truth about the sole "man" is in danger of being exposed. The reality of the government's operation begins to unveil itself...
As I mentioned before, the writers were aware enough and dedicated time to most of the elements the premise introduces. You aren't left completely hanging when it comes to the more interesting, realistic implications, and only vague entities like the seedy government organization or the mysterious effects of the virus remain so.
Studio ARMS is no stranger to taking on shows with sexually explicit content seriously. On their resume are A Kite and Mezzo Forte, as well as the notorious Elfen Lied, to name a few. Not to imply Mermaid is as grim as those stories, but the ability to tell a story beyond the mounds of boob-flesh and implied tribadism is not as hindered as you might expect. If you're able to suspend your disbelief past episode 1, Mermaid will draw you in somewhat, and keep the plot moving. The characters, while very straightforward, all have motivations and act accordingly. With a few showing personal growth, the roster avoids being one-dimensional and is able to carry the story forward at least through quantity, and only one major character is withheld introduction until the latter-half of the show.
So, I feel as if I have spent enough time trying to more objectively communicate that Mermaid isn't "bad". I enjoyed it, and I have good reason to believe anyone with a functioning brain could enjoy it, and see beyond the cognitive cleavage of sexually explicit content that challenges so many people. I would have to reach for the stars to prove the efficacy of some of its themes of gender roles, feminism, sexual freedom, love, etc., but I will say that they are all there, waiting to be teased out, and appear in an almost casual and lighthearted manner. As if these concepts are obvious and viewers already have a similar notion to these ideas as Mermaid. In any case, it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but at least we got a happy ending.
To briefly praise the technical aspects, studio ARMS delivers well-animated "liberating" (Extars need to be aroused!) as well as satisfying action sequences. Fight choreography can be underwhelming at times due to the nature of some Liberator Arms, but visual effects often make up for the more basic stuff. Sound design is quite good, accentuating the power of Liberator Arms, and the meaty Foley effects add some nice weight to the yuri affairs. The opening and ending sequences are memorable and energetic.
Now, those aspects alone are probably enough to carry an ecchi show, but the fun of Mermaid doesn't stop there. You see, despite its absurdities, Mermaid takes itself seriously. So much so that if you go in just for the ecchi, you are likely to be somewhat disappointed. Softcore sequences are preceded by exposition and a moving plot, which does its best to create intrigue and tension. Just as soon as the audience has understood the apparent scope of the Armed Virus, exceptions are introduced, keeping up the engagement. We meet the people unfit for the militaristic faction. The truth about the sole "man" is in danger of being exposed. The reality of the government's operation begins to unveil itself...
As I mentioned before, the writers were aware enough and dedicated time to most of the elements the premise introduces. You aren't left completely hanging when it comes to the more interesting, realistic implications, and only vague entities like the seedy government organization or the mysterious effects of the virus remain so.
Studio ARMS is no stranger to taking on shows with sexually explicit content seriously. On their resume are A Kite and Mezzo Forte, as well as the notorious Elfen Lied, to name a few. Not to imply Mermaid is as grim as those stories, but the ability to tell a story beyond the mounds of boob-flesh and implied tribadism is not as hindered as you might expect. If you're able to suspend your disbelief past episode 1, Mermaid will draw you in somewhat, and keep the plot moving. The characters, while very straightforward, all have motivations and act accordingly. With a few showing personal growth, the roster avoids being one-dimensional and is able to carry the story forward at least through quantity, and only one major character is withheld introduction until the latter-half of the show.
So, I feel as if I have spent enough time trying to more objectively communicate that Mermaid isn't "bad". I enjoyed it, and I have good reason to believe anyone with a functioning brain could enjoy it, and see beyond the cognitive cleavage of sexually explicit content that challenges so many people. I would have to reach for the stars to prove the efficacy of some of its themes of gender roles, feminism, sexual freedom, love, etc., but I will say that they are all there, waiting to be teased out, and appear in an almost casual and lighthearted manner. As if these concepts are obvious and viewers already have a similar notion to these ideas as Mermaid. In any case, it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but at least we got a happy ending.
If you want an idea of what you're getting yourself into, here's a sampler:
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| They actually feature a variety of areolae |
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| Inverted nipples, nipple insertion, and docking |
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| And pure fan service specials that get you into the sexual minds of the main cast |
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