Netflix Dark Anime Combines Fantasy And Heavy Metal Like No Other Series
The anime series Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy is streaming on Netflix. The series follows Dark Schneider, a powerful egoistic wizard once a feared leader of a group aiming to conquer the world. He is resurrected in the body of a young boy named Lucien Renlen to protect the Kingdom of Meta-llicana from those who threaten to plunge it into chaos.
Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy Season 1 covers the initial arc of the story where Dark Schneider is resurrected to combat the threat posed by the Dark Rebel Army. Throughout the season, he re-establishes his power and faces internal conflicts regarding his old ambitions versus his new role as a protector. The season ends with an intense battle showcasing Schneider’s magical prowess.
Created by Kazushi Hagiwara, Bastard!! Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy began as a manga series in 1988.
The second season continues to follow Schneider’s journey and the larger battle against evil forces. New enemies and bigger challenges test his abilities and character. Bastard!! explores the back stories of various characters, revealing more about their motivations and the intricate world they inhabit. It builds up to larger confrontations and explores themes like power, redemption, and loyalty.
Other characters in the series include Tia Noto Yoko, the daughter of High Priest Geo. She plays a crucial role in unsealing Dark Schneider, for whom she has complicated feelings. Fans also get to see Gara, one of Dark Schneider’s former comrades and the Ninja Master, Arshes Nei, another former ally and one of the Four Divine Kings of the Dark Rebel Army.
High Priest Geo is the high priest of Metallicana who unseals Dark Schneider to protect the Kingdom. Kall-Su, a powerful sorcerer and member of the Four Divine Kings, is one of the primary antagonists and has a significant history with Dark Schneider.
Like the Netflix series, the story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a cataclysmic event caused by the evil god Anthrax has led to a dark age.
Created by Kazushi Hagiwara, Bastard!! Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy began as a manga series in 1988.
Like the Netflix series, the story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a cataclysmic event caused by the evil god Anthrax has led to a dark age. The Kingdom of Metallicana is attacked by the Dark Rebel Army, which seeks to revive Anthrasax. To counter the threat, the Kingdom summons Dark Schneider, a powerful dark wizard once part of the Dark Rebel Army, to help.
The manga is known for its classic shonen battle style. It also incorporates elements of heavy metal music and Dungeons & Dragons, which are reflected in the show’s themes and character designs. The series is considered a product of its time, with a focus on male power fantasies and a mix of dark fantasy and harem elements.
An OVA (Original Video Animation) adaptation of Bastard!! was released in 1992, covering the early parts of the manga. This version was shorter and less comprehensive than the Netflix series. The OVA was well-received by manga fans but did not gain widespread popularity due to the changes it made to the source material.
Using contemporary animation techniques, the show brings the characters and action to life with vibrant visuals and dynamic fight scenes.
Bastard!! has received mixed to positive reviews. Viewers appreciate its high-quality animation, faithful adaptation of the manga, and heavy metal-inspired aesthetics. Critics praised its vibrant action scenes and the charismatic anti-hero, Dark Schneider. However, there have been complaints about its uneven pacing. Additionally, its mature content may not appeal to all audiences.
The Netflix Bastard!! series sticks more closely to the source material. Using contemporary animation techniques, the show brings the characters and action to life with vibrant visuals and dynamic fight scenes. There is also a deeper exploration of character back stories and relationships. As such, the series carved a niche for itself among longtime fans of the manga.
