With an impressive creative bloodline to draw from, Kill la Kill is visual feast for the senses. Were it a meal, it'd be shooter sandwich: a ridiculous amount of delicious ingredients crammed into a small space, squashed down to fit and then consumed with zero regrets. But is it a meal you'll want to go back and have again?
Against the background of a dystopian world, Ryuuko Matoi arrives at Honnouji Academy, and her intent is made clear from the start: find and avenge her father's killer. The murder weapon is one half of a giant red scissor, and also happens to be Ryuuko's signature blade which she wields with abandon. Wasting little time, she confronts Satsuki Kiryuuin, the student council president who rules the academy with complete domination with the assistance of her devas, four fellow council members who possess considerable power thanks to their life fiber-infused uniforms. It's these mysterious life fibers that is the primary mechanic that drives KLK's storyline.
As a scifi story, there's nothing that stands out in regards to how the characters battle and ultimately face off against the threat of the life fibers. It's merely a convenient base to serve the ingredients that we're all here for: over-the-top characters, imaginative visuals and fantastical action sequences.
Ryuuko and Satsuki are immediately appealing and it's easy to see why. For both characters, their resolve to achieve victory is unflinching, and while they possess enormous power and fighting skill, ultimately it's their sense of determination, loyalty and sheer will power that fuels their drive to succeed. The visual design of these characters, along with the side characters, effectively matches their personalities. A significant part of their visual package is the life fiber uniforms which transforms the characters into powerhouse entities. In the case of Ryuuko and Satsuki, there's little argument that the skin-exposing transformation is less of a plot device than a simple means of appealing to the target audience of the show, namely teen and young males. Even with the excessive titillation, the uniforms provide a wonderful outlet for the show's creative team to go all out.
It wouldn't be unfair to describe the characters as standard archetypes that we've all seen before. Beyond their appealing visual design, there is little that makes them stand out. The characters do develop and grow throughout the course of the series, and with friendship and loyalty a primary theme in the show, the characters play a satisfying, if somewhat straightforward role in driving the story forward.
In addition to the visual design, the other stand out of the show is the action sequences. As expected of the show's production team, nothing is held back when it comes to animating the battles. It's hard to avoid using the term 'over the top', but it applies perfectly in when it comes to depicting the fantastical combat that are a hallmark of Kill la Kill. It's also in the battles scenes where the personalities of the characters really shine, their stoic will to win perfectly aligns with the stratospheric energy levels of the fighting.
Kill la Kill is a lot to take in, and the pacing of the show is pedal to the metal throughout the course of the series. While almost frantic in its story telling, there is an appropriate level of efficiency in its design. I would've liked to have seen more development in the characters, but really this show is not about delivering a story that examines human complexity. It's a no-holds-barred visual feast with simple but effective characters that tie it all together. The wonderfully creative visuals and the amazingly choreographed action sequences are enough to make this series a classic. Along with copious amounts of fan service, Kill la Kill is easily digested and enjoyed. It's a meal that you'll look back on and desire more of.
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