By Erika Suarez
When you take a look at the first episodes introduction you’ll most likely familiarize its sinister art style and merciless battles from Hellsing Ultimate as both animes are in fact created by Kouta Hirano. If you enjoyed watching Hellsing Ultimate as much as I did you will certainly love the mixture between war and fantasy once again and this time we are given Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, dragons and a whole lot of blood.
Three characters who are famously known for their warrior and leadership titles during historical wars are all transferred from their world to a place called the Orte Kingdom. They are given the name “Drifters” when they discover they are brought to fight against the “Ends” who are also recognized for their roles in historical battles. The Drifters are supposed to be very intimidating warriors, but surprisingly display a delightful and random humor in them when they constantly fight like siblings, this does not at all make the mood inconsistent and smoothly draws back to some serious action during intense battles. It was a surprise to me that the Drifters and the Ends happen to be well known historical fighters throughout time and it's nice to see some history being played into action. Each Drifter is highly skilled for their special tactics and weaponry. We have Shimazu Toyohisa who is a great swordsman, Naso no Yoichi with incredible archery skills, and Oda Nobunaga who specializes in using an arquebus. The main character, Toyohisa, is very admirable throughout the season when your first thoughts being he’s just a battle born killing machine, but he is much respected when he saves a village of Elves and provides them with aid by retrieving their homeland that was stolen from them.
The story itself is incredibly straight forward with no effort of trying to make it complex for its audience. This was a perfect show to watch after taking a break from long seasons and heavy storytelling. Drifters are here to have fun and show you what they got, and succeed in providing a simple yet intriguing story to keep you watching. Forwarding to a couple episodes we are introduced to newly welcomed Drifters who are at a constant brawl, these old paired men are Hannibal Barca and Scipio Africanus who were rivals in the First Punic War. Who knew having those two paired would be a hilarious disaster with nonstop amusing play fight. After such tiring and silly quarrels, one of them end up urinating themselves for just being old with an uncontrable bladder.
Unfortunately, its last episode didn’t leave off with a strong ending. That only said because Toyohisa was left with unfinished business with another Samurai because he was demanded to retreat and failed to gain his opponent’s head in battle, but it was a great one to see because we are reminded what a mad man Toyohisa is and is a true warrior at that. We get a clear understanding on who is a Drifter and an End, while there are a few hanging because of their late arrival to all the action, but they will be intoruduced soon. The Ends do gain an interesting new member who’s conviction is to take down Nobunaga, and might be a chance he knows him from his world. The Black King’s (The Ends’ leader) Indentity remains a mystery, but it is assumed we will learn more of him on the next season.
This anime brings you a combination of new and old world in the battle between the Drifters and the Ends. Each character has a distinct personality but each have something in common, they are fighting and war savvy. Battles are intense and brutal that leave you in awe. We also get a bit of gun, sword, and bow action in a world of fantasy splashed with history, what more can you ask for.
SCORE: 3/5
Drifters - Season 1
Creator: Kouta Hirano
Writer: Hideyuki Kurata, Yosuke Kuroda
Director: Kenichi Suzuki
Studio: Hoods Drifters