Promare - Reviews

I haven't heard anyone talk about this piece. Like ever. Kinda weird when it is this good.

Amazing and mesmerizing movie. Also, a great piece of art.

The world was quite well-built. The starting gave everyone the minimal idea that they needed. The starting was a bit slow but hang on cause it's a rollercoaster.

Concept was great. Had a vibe of some western animations like Big Hero 6 or Megamind; I'm talking about the world setting.

Now let's talk about some specific points:-

i) Story: A genuinely good superhero-like story. No, there's no superhero. No, there's no supervillains. There are Firefighters, Fire-thugs and a evil mastermind... aaaaand some sci-fi.... maybe that's it?
Well-no. Racism, Betrayals, A man's struggle to give his likes a better place and many other things are happening. A well-written story with well-written dialogues.
Truly, I was amazed by the dialogues and the co-ordination of the animated elements.

ii) Art and Animation: Magnificent combination of 2D and 3D. I generally don't like CG in anime, mostly because most are janky, but this one has one of the best CG in anime out there. A big chunk of people won't even notice that there are CG in here. Hat's off to the CG team.
But that doesn't mean the 2D animation is mediocre. It's holding its ground above most anime with a huge margin.
Extremely well directed anime. Imaishi and other staff did an incredible job. The art was TRIGGER-like if I have to say. And did I mention how much detail was in it?
The fighting scenes were just... mouth-watering... uh... yeah...

iii) Characters: It's been a while since I've witnessed a good villain in anime. Like... they're rare, alright?
The main protagonist Galo Thymos makes a great shōnen hero. Idiot, inspirational and straight-headed.
As for Lio Fotia, I won't spoil anything. Just go and watch this piece and see.
A very good cast of characters overall.

iv) Music: Good job Sawano and others :) The OST's and BGM's were bangers.
The voice acting was done extremely well as well. 0 complaints.

v) Enjoyment: Near peak enjoyment. I loved it.

So.... Score time.
Story = 8/10
Animation = 10/10
Characters = 9/10
Music = 9.5/10
Enjoyment = 9/10
Overall = 9.1/10

What you need to watch this anime: Uh... nothing. Just 111 minutes of free time.

Last words: Highly recommended as you read the review. A refreshing anime. Uh... that's it, ig.

I love this movie so much!!! It's my absolute favorite movie <3

The soundtrack, the art style and animation are immaculate

Whenever I watch it I cry though

basically, i was queer-baited into watching this movie, but it was nice!

I have a lot to say about this movie. I was recommended from people I Follow and from people who Follow me on Twitter. At first I wasn't that interested at first but months later when I finally watched it I was WOWED by it and I've been obsessed with this movie ever since! The hype was worth it! The movie wasn't perfect and it had it's fair share of flaws, but MAN DID I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

Story 

I LOVED the eerie, post-apocalyptic tone they went for in the introduction with many humans around the globe suddenly combusting and turning into these flame-wielding mutants called "Burnish." That gave me serious chills and seeing how the appearance of Burnish has torn human civilization apart because fear and hatred. And the non-Burnish and the Burnish have been at each others' throats for the past 30 years. Fast-forward 30 years later and it still hasn't changed, the Burnish are being hunted down and persecuted just like the Nazis did to the Jews during World War II. Even the most peaceful Burnish like Thyma and that Pizzeria Cook aren't safe from society's narrow-minded judgement. That said, I would have liked it more if we actually saw the non-Burnish and Burnish learning to not fear each other and coexist peacefully. Heck, I would have loved it if they joined forces against the Foresight Foundation and Freeze Force. 

But the story is mainly about Galo and Lio and there isn't enough time to develop all of the above plotpoints. As for Galo and Lio's story, it was well-developed for the most part but it was kinda rushed because of the 2-hour timeframe. AND. I. KID. YOU. NOT! I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SCENE WHEN GALO AND LIO WERE ONSCREEN TOGETHER! Their chemistry is wonderful to watch! To see their relationship grow from enemies-to-lovers(YES YOU HEARD ME, THEY ARE IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER!!!) was SUPER-FUN to watch! From their first meeting when they crossed blades with each other, to their epic staredown, to their meeting the cave, to the rampage scene, to co-piloting the mecha given to them, to saving each others' lives, to when they fused their wills to save the Earth, AND at the end when they fistbumped!

SO GALOXLIO FOREVER!!!! >///<

Animation

Excellent as expected from Trigger Studios. It has off-the-wall, colorful fight sequences that will SET YOUR FIREFIGHTER'S SOUL ABLAZE!!! And it also has soft, emotional animated sequences that will warm your heart too. My slight issue with the animation is that it can look a bit artificial at times but eh, nothing's perfect! ^_^

Sound

HIROYUKI SAWANO! Is there any question?! He's one of the best composers in anime! He knows how to set the mood with his music and the vocalists who work with him do an EXCELLENT JOB doing so. Whether it's in a fight sequence or an emotional sequence, Sawano and his crew knows how to appeal to your emotions. But on the downside, the Engrish-y lyrics and pronunciation in his songs can be bit...y'now. The sound effects are great too! They sound cartoony and realistic enough to make you engaged in the animated sequences.

Characters

Galo Thymos and Lio Fotia are BY FAR MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS in Promare! But I have a bias towards Galo more since I have a soft spot for hot-blooded, feisty, idealistic, naive hero protagonists! I hate it when people call Galo a "Kamina-ripoff" when he's literally made by the same person who created Kamina from TTGL! Galo is more than just a hotblooded, stupid shonen protag, he's compassionate, empathetic, and is willing to admit his mistakes. I don't get people who claim Galo isn't an in-depth character like Lio even after watching the movie! ARE Y'ALL GUYS BLIND?! DID WE EVEN WATCH THE SAME MOVIE?????!!!!

Anyways, moving onto Lio. Lio is a great character, not gonna lie. But I don't know his backstory, nada, zilch, zero. So I can't understand how people can argue Lio is a "more fleshed-out" character than Galo LOL. I feel people mistake cool design and flashy aesthetic=great character and that's far from the truth. Lio is a great character because of his motives, actions, and personality. He may seem cold and ruthless at first glance, but he's actually the opposite. He's merciful and willing to sacrifice himself for people he cares about. That's what makes Lio a great character. 

As for the true villain, Kray Foresight. He's a great villain. He gives you the image of an angelic, Superman-like messiah who has brought safety and happiness to all of the citizens(except the Burnish) of Promepolis. I admit he had me fooled with his seemingly bright, warm, and gentle facade until he revealed his true colors later on in the story. When he does reveal his true colors, he's a psychopathic, hypocritical manchild who is willing to accelerate the destruction of the Earth just to be seen as a "savior of mankind." The fact he was a Burnish all along adds to his unlikability, he is willing to throw his own people under the bus for himself and his ego.

The secondary villain, Vulcan Haestus(leader of Freeze Force) was also a great villain like Kray Foresight since you're also supposed to hate him for how he treats the heroes and the Burnish. Nuff said.

The other characters are great but sadly they are underdeveloped since the movie focuses mainly on Galo, Lio, and Kray. Aina and Lucia are kinda tied for Best Girls but I prefer Aina more because she is more engaged in the story. I also loved the captain of the Burning Rescue team, Ignis Ex since he is such a strict, but protective father-like figure to all of Burning Rescue which contrasts perfectly with Vulcan's abusive, uncaring leadership. Vinny was a cute mascot, I wanted to see more of him as well.

As for Remi Pugna and Varys Truss, I liked them. But I wished I saw more of them. 

Same thing with Gueira and Meis, Lio's generals and the remaining two members of Mad Burnish. I didn't see much of them to really like them that much. 

Deus Prometh was also alright, but the fact he only waited until Galo, Lio, and Aina came at the last minute was really stupid of him given that Kray was taking off. 

I also liked Thyma and the two pizzeria guys who were forcefully arrested by Vulcan. I wanted to see more of them but alas, I didn't RIP Thyma and I'm glad the two pizzeria guys are alive and well at the end.

Heris Ardebit was a mixed bag, the movie tried to make it seem she was a misunderstood antagonist but I couldn't really sympathize with her given she is willing to sacrifice innocent lives for her little sister, Aina. Also, her way of stopping Kray was pretty stupid given that she overloaded the engine's core. How many Burnish lives did Heris sacrifice to stop Kray in the process? So yeah, I can't bring myself to like Heris sorry.

As for Biar Colossus, she has no other character than to be Kray's assistant. NUFF SAID.

And that Old Man Burnish can go rot for selling out his people to Freeze Force for his personal freedom.

"Promare" is a visually stunning and adrenaline-pumping film that marks the first feature-length collaboration between Studio Trigger and XFLAG. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, known for his work on "Gurren Lagann" and "Kill la Kill," this film combines vibrant, dynamic animation with a high-octane story about firefighters battling mutants with pyrokinetic abilities. Set in a futuristic world where the appearance of flame-wielding mutants called the Burnish has led to societal upheaval, "Promare" explores themes of discrimination, unity, and the human spirit with a flamboyant flair that is both unique and engaging.

Blazing Triumphs

• Visual Spectacle: The animation in "Promare" is nothing short of groundbreaking. Its bold use of color, innovative 3D animation techniques blended with traditional 2D styles, and frenetic action sequences create a sensory feast that is rarely seen in anime. This visual daringness sets "Promare" apart and enhances the impact of its narrative.
• Engaging Narrative: At its core, "Promare" tells a compelling story of resistance, friendship, and the quest for understanding in a divided world. The film's protagonists, Galo Thymos and Lio Fotia, embody the themes of heroism and rebellion, respectively, driving the plot forward with their dynamic relationship.
• Soundtrack and Sound Design: The film's soundtrack, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, complements its visual energy perfectly. The music amplifies the excitement of the action scenes and adds emotional depth to the quieter moments, enriching the overall experience.

Smoldering Flaws

• Pacing and Complexity: While "Promare" dazzles with its style and action, the pacing can feel overwhelming, and the plot occasionally suffers from trying to convey complex ideas too quickly. This rapid pace might leave some viewers craving more time to explore the intricacies of the world and its characters.
• Character Development: Although the main characters are memorable and their motives clear, the limited runtime means that some supporting characters and their backstories are not as fully fleshed out as they could be. This can make certain plot elements feel less impactful.

Distinctive Flames

• Creative World-Building: The universe of "Promare" is richly conceived, with its own lore, technology, and societal structures. This detailed backdrop not only serves the story but also invites viewers into a fully realized world that holds its own mysteries and charm.
• Thematic Depth: Beneath its explosive exterior, "Promare" tackles significant themes such as environmentalism, the nature of heroism, and the fight against oppression. These themes are woven into the narrative in a way that prompts reflection without sacrificing entertainment value.

Conclusion

"Promare" is a film that burns brightly, offering a feast for the senses and a heartfelt story about overcoming adversity and finding common ground. Its blend of stunning visuals, dynamic storytelling, and thematic depth makes it a standout work in the anime landscape. While it might race through its story at a breakneck pace, leaving some elements underexplored, the film ultimately delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking experience that resonates long after the credits roll. For fans of Studio Trigger's work and those seeking an anime film that combines action, heart, and a distinctive visual style, "Promare" is a must-watch.