Name: A slow build of political intrigue
Item: ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.
Rating: 71
Author: Kalladry

Waifra

A slow build of political intrigue · Waifora

The Kingdom of Dowa is subdivided into 13 states, each one granted their own autonomy. These 13 states have many agencies that are controlled by the giant civilian organization known as ACCA. Jean Otus is the second-in-command of the ACCA inspection agency. They keep track of all the activities of ACCA across the kingdom, and keep data on each state’s ACCA office flowing toward the central office. One of Jean’s jobs is taking business trips from the capital to the other districts to check on the situation and personnel there. But Jean is monitored by gazes, rumors, and…snack time. Slowly, his life is swallowed up into the world’s conspiracies!

This was interesting! But more deliberate (or less charitably, slow) than I expected based on the description.

This is not a thrilling show, or a thriller. That doesn’t mean it’s not interesting, just that political intrigue is the name of the game. It takes quite a while to uncover what’s lurking in the lightest of shadows, much less the players in the deeper shadows and their endgame.

Even Jean himself, it’s not clear for what feels like forever (at least 3/12 episodes) whether he’s even aware of the machinating going on around him, much less whether he is part of anything, or has opinions on any plots (those get answered…later).

It’s a slow build, showing you the 13 districts and the country of Dowa itself, along with the characters, and how they feel about the country’s political situation. Said situation is…okay, so it’s a monarchy, but much political power rests in ACCA, which is…basically all the non-Congress US governmental agencies rolled into one? District governor, fire protection, police, etc.

Each of the 12 districts has a distinct character, and some are more like semi-autonomous territories than an intra-country state.

The setting is a weird mix of modern day and…not. They’ve got technology like computers, but at the same time it really seems like it has the aura of the 19th century (and that’s not even counting the one district that literally mandates 1800s-level technology and clothing for its citizens). Also, several of the characters develop an obsession with what’s essentially fancy sandwich bread, toasted. I…honestly, I couldn’t tell if the “oh you have to try this amazing food” bit was meant to be funny, or quirky, or just neutral? It’s not a huge plot point, but still: weird.

Because the major plot of the show involves secrets and being unable to tell who’s in on a plot, who’s spying, who might be a double agent, etc., it’s difficult to speak about it without getting into spoiler territory.

Verdict

English Dub? Yes a nice one. A fun Easter egg: Jean’s voice actor also did the voice of mercenary/assassin/bodyguard Obi in Snow White with the Red Hair. It works well: both characters are aloof, though often personable, and it’s a voice that do a great job straddling the line between “does Jean just come off as a bit sly, or does he actually know about the secrets around him?”

Visuals: Fine. The art style is angular and somewhat flat, which made it stand out while I was browsing Funimation’s offering. It looks good.

Worth Watching? Yes. It’s unlikely to be someone’s favorite show, I think, but it was decent entertainment for 12 episodes. And watching just 1-2 episodes would be enough to let you decide if the show is for you or not: while the plot builds, the tone doesn’t change substantially.