Breaking Boundaries: Unveiling Hulu's Unforgettable Gateway to the Ultimate Mecha Anime Series of 2023

Synduality: Noir, the new anime from Eight Bit, has quickly gained popularity on Hulu. Unlike Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, which has a high school setting, Synduality might be a better introduction to the mecha genre. While it doesn't rely on typical genre elements, its familiar plot beats offer a more accessible experience for newcomers.

Mobile Suit Gundam is often recommended as a starting point for mecha anime due to its popularity. However, casual viewers may find the overwhelming visual details of the machinery and the constant war narratives off-putting. In contrast, Synduality provides a simpler alternative with its charming boy-meets-girl storyline and the inclusion of mecha called "Cradlecoffins".

Synduality Has The Right Blend of Mecha Action And Anime Conventions

Hajime Kamoshida is credited with the story draft of the anime on the official website's staff page. With his expertise in serious mecha war stories like Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans and character-focused dramas seen in Rascal Does Not Dream, it was a natural choice to ensure that Synduality pays equal attention to both its characters and the science-fiction elements. This emphasis on character development is even evident in the Disney+ synopsis.

Kanata dreams of becoming a Drifter, a goal he shares with renowned Drifter Tokio. During an expedition in museum ruins, they encounter Noir, a Magus who has lost her memories. Despite struggling with everyday tasks, Noir proves to be formidable in battle against the Enders. Kanata forms a partnership with Noir and embarks on a journey to uncover the true essence of being a Drifter.

The premise of Synduality may appear cliché at first glance: a timid boy searching for his purpose encounters an amnesiac with a dark past and extraordinary powers. Alongside other familiar character types, such as the childhood friend, the protective older sibling figure, the comedic antagonist, and the enigmatic observer with superior abilities, they all set out to uncover a supposed forgotten paradise. While this setup is often seen in similar stories, the charm of the characters and the familiarity of the narrative help newcomers ease into the genre's primary element of character development: gigantic robots.

Cradlecoffins by Synduality are visually distinctive and uniquely associated with each Drifter. This contributes to their memorability, both for the machines and their users. Unlike other shows that inundate the screen with an assortment of robots to showcase their prevalence, Cradlecoffins ensures that viewers can easily distinguish one machine from another. Additionally, although war stories may not be everyone's preference, it is commonplace for mecha to be equipped with weapons. Even The Witch From Mercury, known for its innovative approach, initially presents a school setting to soften its tone but ultimately intertwines it with a developing corporate conflict involving mass-produced weapons of war.

The search for Histoire by Kanata and Noir may lack originality, but it offers an accessible storyline for newcomers compared to the intense tone of Gundam. Additionally, Synduality is well-positioned to dominate the mecha genre in 2023, with a tie-in video game in the works. With its streaming availability on Hulu and Disney+, Synduality: Noir is the ideal series to captivate and introduce new fans to the vast and intricate world of mecha anime.