Melody of Oblivion


The Melody of Oblivion is a Japanese manga series by Shinji Katakura. The series was published through Kadokawa Comics through Shōnen Ace between 2002 and 2004.
An anime television series adaptation produced by Gainax and animated by J.C.Staff aired between April 7, 2004, and September 21, 2004, on TBS. A Game Boy Advance game was published through Bandai for Japanese markets.

Synopsis

Approximately a century ago, during the 20th century, humanity waged and lost a war against creatures called "Monsters", who were able to assume human form. Now, approximately a century later, humanity is aware of the Monsters' existence but not that there was ever a war, the latter of which was deliberately orchestrated by the Monsters. Humanity's only protectors against the Monsters are the Warriors of Melos, a group of warriors capable of seeing a seemingly mute young girl called "Melody", who appears at important times. These warriors are aided by devices called Aibar machines, futuristic modes of transportation capable of some level of sentience.
The series primarily follows Bocca, a teenager who chooses to become a Warrior of Melos and bring an end to the Monsters' tyranny.

Characters

Humans

  • Bocca Serenade,
  • Sayoko Tsukinomori,
  • Kurofune Ballad, :
  • Toune Requiem,
  • Koko Ninna-Nanna,
  • Saburou Musashino, AKA Tsunagi,
  • The Melody of Oblivion,

Monsters

Monster Union

  • Midnight Hiyoko,
  • Millionaire Beaver,
  • Wrench Monkey,
  • Global Wildcat,
  • Lucky Thoroughbred,
  • Flying Bunny,
  • Electric Sheep,
  • Discount Uribou,
  • Child Dragon,

Aibar Machines

Media

Anime

On April 7, 2004, an anime adaptation of the manga began airing on TBS. Produced by Gainax and animated by J.C.Staff, the series ran for 24 episodes until September 21, 2004. The series was directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori and Atsushi Takeyama. The opening was "Will" by Lisa Komine and the ending son was "Tenohira no Hikari" by Minawo.
Geneon dubbed the series into English for American markets. Episodes were released via DVD between 2005 and 2006.

Video game

An action adventure game was published by Bandai in Japan on November 25, 2004. Players could select one of three characters, Bocca, Toone, and Koko and play a different scenario for each one.

Reception

THEM Anime Reviews was critical of the anime, writing that "Like band practice on the second day of junior high school., this sophomoric melody isn't laughably bad, but unpleasantly unskilled and in sore need of fine tuning. Gainax completists should... just quit being Gainax completists. Horror fans might bump this up a star, at most." Anime News Network reviewed the first two DVD releases for the English speaking market, noting that the series had sloppy animation and that although the second volume showed improved storytelling, that the series "still sits in the ranks of run-of-the-mill  fantasy adventures. It doesn't do anything to extend the genre further, and the silly monsters and attack names are a strike against it."
DVD Talk panned the final volume in the anime series, as they felt that "Originally, the show had some potential but whatever else was going on in the background, the straightforward aspects of the action themes of the show seemed downplayed to cater to the whimsical elements, making it tougher to sit through as time went on."