Kekkai Sensen: The Ultimate Debate - Is Staying True to the Manga Truly Overrated?

Highlights

Kekkai Sensen captivated audiences with its unique portrayal of New York City, and its vibrant and lived-in atmosphere impressed many.

The fans had mixed reactions to the decision of deviating from the manga and creating an original story for the anime adaptation.

Kekkai Sensen & Beyond stayed true to the essence of the original series by faithfully adapting the manga. However, the encore performance received both positive and negative feedback from fans.

Beware: The following contains mild spoilers for Kekkai Sensen and Kekkai Sensen & Beyond, currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

In the past, anime adaptations often diverged from their source material due to starting prematurely and rushing to catch up. This resulted in the addition of filler content or abrupt endings. However, the landscape of anime has changed, and fans now expect more faithful adaptations. Despite this, Kekkai Sensen presents a unique situation.

The City That Never Sleeps

Kekkai, also known as Blood Blockade Battlefront, made its debut in 2015. The visually stunning anime was produced by Studio Bones and skillfully directed by Rie Matsumoto, a renowned talent we have previously featured. This captivating series follows the journey of Leonardo Watch, a young man who embarks on an adventure in the transformed city of New York, now called Hellsalem's Lot. His goal? To unravel the enigma behind his extraordinary magical eyes and ultimately rescue his sister.

Kekkai Sensen was an extraordinary and incredibly innovative action series that garnered considerable acclaim when it first aired. Had it not been for the unforeseen three-month delay of its season finale, it would have likely achieved even greater recognition. The concept of an anime produced by a renowned studio and set in the bustling city of New York was truly groundbreaking, and successfully capturing the vibrant energy and constant activity of such a significant metropolis was a remarkable achievement.

While there were an abundance of aliens and monsters present, critics widely praised the authentic atmosphere that permeated throughout Hellsalem's Lot. This sentiment was evident in every scene, every musical piece, and every character portrayal. However, what truly set the show apart, both positively and negatively, was Matsumoto's direction. Without merely reiterating our prior analysis of her work, she masterfully weaves numerous elements into each episode.

There are moments when episodes bombard viewers with an overwhelming amount of content, leading to confusion. Nevertheless, the storytelling possesses a deep emotional resonance that continues to captivate. Naturally, fans of the original manga may express dissatisfaction with Matsumoto's decision to craft an original narrative rather than a faithful adaptation.

Filler vs. A Full Circle

Kekkai Sensen, derived from a manga penned by Yasuhiro Nightow, the brilliant mind behind Trigun, may inadvertently overshadow the fact that Matsumoto’s breathtaking artistry is somewhat overshadowed by the excellence of Nightow's creations. Although Matsumoto masterfully unveiled the world and its charming inhabitants, the inaugural season primarily revolved around two original characters, which left some fans believing that the show did not do justice to Nightow's original vision.

The complaint regarding this is that the manga lacked a clear objective. If you ask anyone who has read it about its plot, the most common response would be that there isn't really a cohesive narrative – rather, it's a series of adventures featuring the members of Libra who save the city. In light of this, considering Rie Matsumoto's previous work, this type of story may not be her strong suit.

She crafts narratives centered around family, love, and coming-of-age, adding a bold and vibrant touch that mirrors the liveliness of her characters. This might not seem like an obvious fit for directing Kekkai, but in truth, it makes her the ideal choice. The story revolves around a young man's journey through adolescence in a city where he struggles to find his place and face his challenges. While she can't magically provide it with a conclusion, she can offer a satisfying sense of closure.