Summer 2023 Anime: SYNDUALITY Noir

Synopsis

The year is 2242.

Humanity has lived deep underground ever since the catastrophe known as the “Tears of the New Moon” occured. But after the collapse of the underground city-state “Amazia”, they began to carry out hopes of living on the surface again. People have since formed villages called “Nests” in various places above the ground. Those known as “Drifters” fight using their “Coffin” combat mechs against the creatures known as “Enders” that seek to exterminate humanity, and mine the “AO crystals” that provide power to the Nests. In one such Nest called “Rock Town” where Drifters gather, Kanata, a young man who dreams of becoming a Drifter one day, discovers a beautiful “Magus” android in stasis during one of his expeditions. His meeting with the Magus named “Noir” sets to motion the wheels of fate.

Comments

Caesar E.S. (The Indonesian Anime Times)

SYNDUALITY Noir feels like something that I’ve already seen, in the best way possible. It’s a boy-meets-(android) girl story where the protagonist’s decision to step into the cockpit is what kickstarts the main plot. The Coffin robots are reminiscent of the Sakura Wars (2000) series’ Koubu, and move using rollers like the Scopedogs from Armored Trooper VOTOMS (1983). It feels like one of the many mecha anime that cropped up in the 2010’s, with its earnest attempt at worldbuilding and using 3DCG animation to set up cool-looking mecha action scenes. (In that sense, it reminds me of 2010’s Votoms Finder OVA, only with better-looking 3DCG.)

All of that is neither a jab at SYNDUALITY Noir‘s quality nor is it saying that it lacks originality. The series looks to be a venture by Bandai Namco to create a new original IP, with a video game also set to release this year titled SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada. It’s certainly a welcome sight to see that there are still people out there attempting to create new and original mecha anime. While SYNDUALITY Noir uses a bevy of familiar elements (then again, what robot show doesn’t?), it does so to create a wholly new work that looks great and is sure to please any fan with a passing interest in mech suits. Those who are familiar with the previously mentioned VOTOMS might know what I’m talking about, but seeing things like bipedal mechs move using the rollers on their feet and hearing the whirring sounds come to life scratches a very specific itch that doesn’t get to be scratched very often, for lack of a better term. It’s incredibly appealing and satisfying.

But perhaps what’s most appealing are the show’s strong set designs. While its sci-fi post-apocalyptic landscape feels very well-developed (no doubt as it also has a video game tie-in that definitely needed many design concepts to make), the show shines in providing an outlet for mechanical designer & illustrator Ippei Gyoubu to go wild. Since his first involvement as a mecha designer for the Gundam series with Reconguista in G (2014), he has continued to dole out great design after great design, perhaps his most recent notable work being the Darilbalde & Gundam Schwarzette from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2023). But here, in SYNDUALITY Noir, he gets to show his illustrator roots; with the series’ unique-looking Coffins as well as the environment having a strong “street art” feel reminiscent of his illustrator work; from the striking neon color schemes of the Coffins to the many logo graphics and emblems adorning the world.

If one of anime’s strengths is that you get to see very specific things that appeal to very specific tastes you don’t get to see catered to in other media, then by all accounts SYNDUALITY Noir is worth taking a look at just for doing so.

SYNDUALITY Noir is currently streaming on Disney+

Facts and Figures

Screenshots and Trailer

The Indonesian Anime Times