Written by: Sadayuki Murai (screenplay), Tsutomu Nihei (created by)
Directed by: Hiroyuki Seshita
Starring: Sora Amamiya, Kana Hanazawa, Takahiro Sakurai
Rated: TV-14
Plot
This Japanese language anime movie is based on a cyber punk manga of the same name. Killy (pronounced Kirry) is a loner in a vast technological world inhabited by transhumans and cyborgs. He runs across an engineer and a village of human warriors while attempting to locate Net Terminal Genes.
Verdict
This crafts a creative and complex lore that isn't hard to follow, though you will want to know more. The plot isn't far removed from a Western, just in a sci-fi world. Killy is the reluctant loner that helps the village and then rides off into the sunset. This village is running low on food, beset by robots, and set in a massive structure known as "The City."
While I usually consider cartoons child oriented, this, as with many Japanese mangas isn't. It feels related to The Matrix (1999), The Terminator (1984), and Bladerunner (1982).
Watch it.
Review
Blame! is pronounced blam. This world is fascinating. I had to stop and research the manga to find out more information. This movie can only include so many details, it was originally a 10 episode mange comic. While it's mentioned the city is at least nineteen floors big with various tribes living in the structure that haven't interacted and we don't even see, the actual scale of the city apparently is closer to the size of our entire solar system. The structure of this world has encompassed the moon. I didn't get that sense when watching. The tribe we see is forced outside of their fortified confines to look for food. Outside of the confines, the Safeguard are on the prowl, programmed to kill all humans. The Safeguard can change their appearance and teleport, but they can't infiltrate the tribe's defenses.
This City is the result of robots running amok, continuing to build for what I assume is centuries. Killy is looking for the Net Terminal Gene that would allow him access to the Netsphere to stop the machines. Killy is cool. He's dressed in black, without the armor the villagers use, and he's proficient. While the villagers defend against robots with guns netting marginal results, Killy uses a knife.
While I wish this were live action, it would be difficult to do it justice. Live action would give this a bit more punch, though it would run the risk of being all flash and less story.
The Safeguard robots have a distinct The Matrix vibe. I don't know if it's coincidence or not. Blame! was released in 1998 with The Matrix coming out in 1999. Blame! has spawned a prequel released in 2001, NOiSE.
This is a fascinating what if scenario. This world is so massive that you can spin off so many different stories.
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