Linebarrels of Iron - Reviews

Many people have strong prejudice against mecha genre. It is supposedly shallow, cliche, boring and pointless. And despite how much it pains to me say it (since I actually like mecha genre)  - Kurogane no Linebarrel is the prime example of how pathetic mecha anime can get.

Story - 4/10

 Have you ever wondered how it would feel to get hit in the face with random, falling, giant robot? Well the main character can experience it first hand, since this is how the whole mess starts. A random, weak  guy suddenly gets killed by falling mecha, and since the hot chick piloting it feels guilty, she resurrects him by merging his life with the robot. Which obviously makes him the new pilot.  This premise sounds  like crap, but it actually is great, for a single reason - what do you suppose would happen if weak, bullied guy suddenly get immense power? That's right folks, he gets cocky, and starts dealing "his justice". He rampages, he goes berserk, he forces his own sense of what's right on everyone around him. For a moment I recollected Bokurano, where fighting in the middle of the city actually did cause some major damage. Yeah, this show should be awesome... unfortunately it all ends at ep 4.

 Yup, first 4 eps is just a crafty illusion, that makes you believe this show has potential for greatness. Once it's broken we are left with "Rookie pilot fighting agains evil invaders to protect, not to kill" kind of story. And so we have the secret organisation, that fights the invaders. Our hero gets carried away all the time, and is weak , but of course he have the greatest "anti-mecha-ultimate-asskicking-machine" so everyone spoils him. Then there are enemies  - a bunch of humans collaborating with the aliens, for some usual, uninteresting reasons. There is a last try to revive the show around ep 13-14, with unexpected twist. But  it soon gets back on his track towards nonsense.

But our dear producers from Gonzo didn't leave at that. That would let the show be just mediocre - to achieve true failure, they needed to add something else. And that last component was the most obvious one - pointless fanservice. Yeah, our hero gets himself a nice harem of busty beauties  topped with a loli tsundere. And thanks to that they didn't need to try some weak stuff like "good execution of weak story", because they could just add beach episode and forget about the story.

Animation 6/10

Well... Some people says that it's "unique", i'ds say it's simply bad. The mecha designs, while certainly original, are really unappealing. The only machina I liked was the Vardant, thx to it's wings. Character designs are way too different from the CG employed for mechas, to a point that they don't seem to fit at all.  This type of drawing style could work if the robots looked like the ones from TTGL. Unfortunately they didn't. Despite it's flaws the animation manages to deliver on several occasions, hence 6 should be good enough score.

Sound - 8/10

I liked the opening a lot, it's really catchy. The music is done well, and voice acting stuff includes some of the top seiyus out there. Good job on that part.

Character - 3/10

 I still don't understand why they change a total win character into total loser. Kouichi have potential to be the one of the most bad-ass anti-heros in the whole genre. Instead he joins the large crowd of pathetic, nonsense spouting and completely typical heroes. He is the type of guy that first shouts that he will protect everyone, than gets smacked bad and go into self pity, after which he snaps and go berserk and in the end he suddenly happens to be the strongest and get the job done. If this show was a parody, such a character could work. But this show  isn't a parody...unfortunately.

I excuse myself from portraying the rest of the cast, since they are so flat and shallow, that it just makes me sad. It looks to me as if producers bothered only to design characters as how they act now, but completely neglected giving them some real motivations , and some growth. Unless we call "using robot better" a  sign of character growing...

Overall  - 4/10

Errr... if you find pleasure in pain then be my guest, and go watch it. If not, than better give up this title. Or if you really feel like you need to watch it, then watch ep 1-4, and 13-14 - you will get the best parts of the show, without having to sit through the terrible rest.

Linebarrels of Iron is certainly a strange series to be reviewing. It’s an old fashioned looking show, mixed with a main character that wouldn’t be wrongly placed working alongside Lelouch Lamperiouge in Code Geass. That said the art style and the personality of the protagonist are the first thing a viewer will notice about this series, and that can either be a very good thing, or a bad thing.

Our young protagonist is Kouichi Hayase, the kid who is always being picked on and hasn’t got the confidence to stand up for himself, and thus always ends up being protected by childhood friend, Hideaki Yajima. Despite this lack of confidence, Kouichi has his mind set on becoming a hero of justice and being able to protect all those he cares for, and his town (and later the world), in general. One day in a freak accident a strange machine falls from the sky and kills Kouichi, only the pilot of this machine, Emi Kizaki, quickly brings him back to life. Once brought back Kouichi quickly learns that he now too has the ability to control the powerful machine – the Linebarrel as he has become a Factor. However, being reborn and having this power thrust upon him doesn’t work out quite how you’d want it too, and Kouichi goes from being the bullied to the bully in a somewhat screwed up sense of justice. He’s a cocky fourteen year old, bluntly put, and like any fourteen year old when you have such power handed to you, you don’t always do what’s right and just end up big headed and pushing your, mostly wrong, sense of justice onto everyone else, which is what we see in Kouichi. As the story progresses we learn that Kouichi isn’t alone in being a Factor and having a machine like Linebarrel, there are others just like him who are both fighting for the good of the earth and protecting humans, and those who are trying to take it over. While fighting the bad guy group known as Katou who are trying to invade the town, Kouichi gets to meet the good guys known as JUDA. Kouichi is quickly put in his place by JUDA and after the death of a close friend who recklessly saves Kouichi from an attack from Katou; he realizes that if he wants to become a true hero of justice then he’ll have to work with JUDA in their fight against Katou. To say that Kouichi slips into JUDA well would be a complete lie – no one in the group truly accepts him until he earns his place, which in many respects is a good thing. The thing with Kouichi is that, while yes, he actually can be likeable as a character, he’s also a jumped up, arrogant kid who you don’t want to cheer on and you’ll likely spend a lot of your time enjoying the moments where he is put into his place by Emi or a member of the JUDA team (who, are for the most part all very interesting characters).

For the most part though the plot for Linebarrels of Iron is a strong one, and while certain elements can be quite predictable, it’s enjoyable nonetheless. The characters also prove to be strong throughout, and although it’s a large cast and we never get the chance to explore the backstories of everyone, they’re all quite deep and interesting in their own ways. The JUDA team are especially interesting and will have you cheering for their success one way or another. It’s also nice to see that Kouichi actually grows and becomes more mature as the series goes on, so he too becomes likeable by the end, ensuring the series finishes on a good note. That said, when it comes to actually controlling his power I don’t think Kouichi ever improved. Despite being a Mecha anime you often feel that battles are won more by luck or willpower more than the characters actually being good at fighting, with the exception of Reiji Moritsugu. The anime spends more time with the characters taunting one another in battle or just generally talking among themselves then it does actually having them cross swords. That isn’t too much of a bad thing though with a plot which can sometimes be quite confusing you’re often grateful that the series chooses to explain it over throwing us into battles and suchlike. It also offers some nice character devolvement.

Cast and plot aside, the animation choice for Linebarrels of Iron is certainly an interesting one, although with a studio like Gonzo behind it, I’m not quite why I expected much else. The designs of the machines aside, Gonzo have gone for a very old fashioned look for the series and its character designs, which for a series only from late 2008 is quite amusing. It isn’t a bad choice by any means, but for viewers who have only started anime recently and may not have yet seen any more classic shows they’d likely be quite taken aback. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do it can be quite charming, and it’s nice to see some more old fashioned character designs. The soundtrack for the series doesn’t seem to stand out, and a lot of it can feel like it has been reused a lot. Despite being a 24 episode series, Linebarrels of Iron keeps the same opening and ending theme throughout, which again is an interesting choice, but maybe not a bad one. A lot can be said for the voice acting throughout, as a number of big names step up to the plate, most notable being Tetsuya Kakihara who voices Kouichi, many will likely remember him for his role as Natsu in Fairy Tail, or Sam Coyne in Osuma.

Linebarrels of Iron is by no means the best series for its genre, and those looking for a lot of action will be disappointed a lot of the time, but that said it does have a strong story and cast of characters which makes up for it. That, mixed with the interesting animation choice insures that Linebarrels of Iron is an enjoyable enough series.

Though I am new to the mecha genre and personally Its not a favorite genre of mine I did find this series rather enjoyable even if there were a lot of giant robot fights. So this is coming from someone who doesn't watch a lot of mecha.

Story: 8/10

The story starts off where we meet our "hero" Kouichi Hayase a middle school pushover kid who gets picked on by bullies every single day to some points getting saved by his childhood friends; Yajima and Risako. On his way to run an errand for his fond bullies he gets in an accident and wakes up next to a naked girl who gives him the power of Linebarrel. Due to his new strength and power he becomes a cocky brat who uses that power to punish the bullies who picked on him.

For the first six episodes its nothing but him abusing his new powers until he witnesses a death of someone close to him (Keeping it spoiler free as possible) which eventually leads him to JUDA an organization that fights for justice. Kouichi straightens up his act a bit making him a more bearble main character however he still has that cockyness to him its just not as bad. After some twists and turns towards the end of the series leads to enemies becoming allies to fight a greater evil.

There were some episodes that broke away from the main plot where they were nothing but nonsense comedy however I thought it was a nice way to show some humor in the series. The only thing I really didn't care for the fanservice they threw in there and it seemed every girl in there had to kiss Kouichi at least once. 

Animation: 9/10

Overall the animation was excellect there were some aspect where the animation was odd like how some of the noses were drawn and the twins hair I think could have been better bit those are some minor set backs for me.

Sound 9/10

I thought the sound was excellent and the music for the series fitted nicely though at first I wasn't too sure about the opening song due to it reminded me of one of the Code Geass ending songs.

Characters: 7/10

The characters were well rounded however I really didn't care for the fact that at least three of the females had a thing for Kouichi which leads to drama which pretty much breaks off from the main plot which I was most interested in didn't really care for him forming his own harem.

The president of JUDA I enjoyed his character very much from how he ran things down to his practical jokes that eventually got Kouichi in trouble. He was one of those great comic relief characters in my opinion.

Overall: 8/10

Well I gave it this rating since I think it was a great show. I still think other shows are better than it but I don't hate this anime. I think they were better off putting no fanservice in it because it was pointless and it just lead to pervy humor. Still think the story could have gone better but I still think it's a series to watch if you are a mecha fan. However, I am new to this genre so mecha fans may agree to disagree with me.

Title: Linebarrels of Iron - A Mecha Anime with Ups and Downs

Story (7/10): "Linebarrels of Iron" offers a mix of mecha action and high school drama, which is a formula that has been explored in several anime series. The story follows the life of Kouichi Hayase, an average high school student who gets involved in a mysterious accident and becomes a pilot of a powerful mecha called Linebarrel. The narrative explores themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions. While the story starts with a somewhat clichéd premise, it gradually unveils a more complex and intriguing plot. However, the pacing can be uneven at times, with some arcs feeling rushed while others are drawn out.

Animation (7/10): The animation quality in "Linebarrels of Iron" is decent, especially during the mecha battles. The action sequences are well-animated, showcasing intense battles between the various mecha units. Character designs are standard for the genre, and the visual style is consistent throughout the series. While it may not be groundbreaking, the animation effectively serves the needs of a mecha anime.

Sound (6/10): The soundtrack of "Linebarrels of Iron" is serviceable but doesn't particularly stand out. It includes a mix of action-themed and dramatic music, which suits the tone of the series. Voice acting performances are solid, with the cast delivering their lines competently. The opening and ending theme songs are catchy but don't leave a lasting impression.

Characters (6/10): The characters in "Linebarrels of Iron" have their moments, but they can also be quite divisive. Kouichi Hayase, the protagonist, undergoes significant development throughout the series, transforming from a typical high school student into a more complex character. The supporting cast includes a mix of likable and less likable characters, and some of their actions and motivations may polarize viewers. Character relationships and interactions drive much of the drama and conflict in the series.

Overall (6/10): "Linebarrels of Iron" is a mecha anime that offers both engaging action and character-driven drama. While it may not reach the heights of some other series in the genre, it has its moments of excitement and depth. The story can be inconsistent in its pacing, and some characters may not resonate with all viewers. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of mecha anime and are looking for a series that combines action with character development, "Linebarrels of Iron" is worth giving a try. My overall score for the series is 6/10, reflecting its decent execution of familiar mecha tropes.

Kouichi is one of the biggest pricks ever to take on the mantle of anime main character or hero.  Like so many other anime with heroic figures, magical powers, superpowers or some other extraordinary gift or ability.  Why anime studios love to portray crap hero characters is beyond me. Sometimes, ya it might be different or refreshing or you might have a jackhole who is so annoying but somehow in a good way you might end up liking him or her or it somehow works and meshes well with the story.  It just happens to often and way more than the average population like many of these shows like to proclaim they take place within.  In Kouichi's it does not really work that well because he is presented as a fairly decent guy who lets things go to his head so fast and far up his ass you have to wonder if he was not hiding some mental disorder about himself from others.  This butt fart seems to take every opportunity to prove to Emi that she made the biggest mistake of her life in helping him out.  You can tell in her facial expressions how frequently she is beside herself with regret at saving such a worthless human who wastes his opportunity on the most assinine, meathead, fruitless, narcissitic, show off, and petty ways possible.  This show would be about 2 or 3 points better if it did not feature such a spineless monkey jerk as the lead character.  Whenever I see him fight, I feel conflicted who I want to win or die in the fight.  Sometimes, I hope some enemy literally knocks his sense back into him.  Other than the jerk, the show is pretty decent and one of the better mecha based genre animes.  It is too bad, Kouichi drags it down so much.  

I have several issues with why his character and his donkey puke personality is such a problem.  One, he appeared to be far more humble, meek, kind, caring, and even concerned for others before his personality got so twisted.  Two, it is a pain to watch how much he constantly hurts Emi and everyone else as they watch him constantly make such an ass of himself.  Three, his dickhead ways are too much and far too frequent in the anime that it is like it dominates the show way to much at the cost of what made the show worth watching.  Four, he is far to slow to 'get it' or rather to return to what you might have thought was his old friendly self before the gift screwed up his mind.  Five, he frequently causes more damage than the enemy yet never seems to grasp reality and thinks highly of his misdeeds.  Six, he becomes such an uber ass he makes Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes's character in Demolition Man) and both the character Sid 6.7 and the actor Russell Crowe look as humble as someone like the Pope.  Bottom line is his behavior is so disruptive, counter productive to the story and his own character, and over the top that it detracts far more from the series than it adds to it.  He is the main reason I feel reluctant to watch it again.

There are a few interesting though some what typical and even predictable twists in the story.  There are several great characters and pretty much all of them outshine Kouichi as far better, more complex, or more interesting characters.  He is literally the weakest character in the show given that it depends too much on his narcissitic power hungry show off obsession.  Reiji is probably the best guy character by far.  Yajima is oddly more like the old Kouichi and therefore essentially steals Kouichi's position and aura as the lead male character, well at least when off duty.  Reiji is what Kouichi should be more like on duty.  It is fairly typical for an anime in many ways but it is executed far better than average with the one exception of one of the all time worst lead male characters ever.

The story setting and premise are pretty good and may remind you in a way of Dragonaut.  A futuristic world fighting a war against a powerful enemy who seems to be able to appear anywhere at will.  Naturally aspects between good guys and bad guys get a little blurry too given how much damage Kouichi causes alone good guys end up looking like the bad guys more often than not.  

Characters other than the lead male character are solid though at times appear a tad shallow or even one dimensional.  Yet there are reminders such as a party or problems at school that help bring it back in line to some degree.  Beast 9, the manga, is quite similar but actually does a better job telling a compelling story.  Kouichi, high school student (yes that is a tad too typical) suffers a serious injury in an accident by a mech and a mysterious woman.  This accident leads him into his destiny as newest member of their organization.  Good start but it is so badly carried out by such a dork it loses that quality.  In some cases, even if a jerk lead is a good thing, it could well backfire on you and make you hate that person more than the enemies like here.  He treats everyone like crap even those who treated him well when he still thought of himself as ordinary or weak.  

Animation is a fairly high quality most notably seen with Emi and even somewhat with Reij and Risako.  Sound and dub works pretty well.  Again I say, overall it may have some cliches and typical elements seen in many a mecha anime but it executes most of them better than average.  It's only serious defect is it's loser lead character who spends more time hurting all the good guys more than the bad guys do and is so slow witted and reluctant to improve or realize his misdeeds that his bad behavior overshadows most everything else about the show and detracts from it's overall quality.