Initially Kekkai Sensen didn't really interest me much in terms of being high priority on the plan to watch, but then I saw that it was penned by Nightow and knew that it would be a wild ride (I'm quite the fan of the Trigun manga).
And I was right!
The first episode really gives you a raw taste of what's to come, with a bombastic soundtrack. Leonardo Watch is a compelling protagonist with the goal of redeeming his past, not being able to stand up for his sister Michela.
Really, all of the tag-along characters are such a blast to have around! Zapp, Chain, Klaus, K.K., Steven, and even Zed later on all add a unique flavor to this series and the cast of Libra.
The setting is one of the most interesting I may have ever seen in an animanga. Hellsalem's lot takes two entirely different sets of laws and creatures and encases them in a barrier where violence is the background music. There is so little defined, so little parameters, that it allows for so much to be explored with a wide array of characters which works perfectly with the episodic format of the series.
Seriously, the one Prosfair episode is the perfect example of how this show is able to add depth to the characters we know while having a new and thrilling set of rules to abide by.
Season 1 tells the narrative of White and Black.
Season 2 is far more episodic.
For me, season 1 was far more consistent in quality and keeping the stakes going while slowly introducing everything in a natural fashion. Season 2 was still enjoyable for all the reasons I've mentioned, but White's dynamic with Black and Leonardo was truly a highlight of this journey.
As I had previously mentioned, the soundtrack goes HARD. It's just a total vibe, and fits the tone and setting of the show.
The animation style is also really on point! That last episode of the first season is just chef's kiss for how it managed all of its shots for symbolism.
The fights alone are quite the spectacle to behold. It takes the monster of the week format but ups the dial to a hundred with the introduction of new races and types of creatures nearly every episode. ALL of the blood breed fights are hype as hell and involve strategy by all the members involved in the fight by implementing Leo's eyes and Klaus' Brain Grid techniques.
I suppose a complaint I have is that the show never is able to go all out and use its strengths to its full advantage (other than the Black and White arc) and thus fails to deliver much of a meaningful message a lot of the time, contrary to Trigun. But dumb fun is dumb fun!
If you want a nice show to binge, you can't go wrong with Kekkai Sensen. Nightow doesn't miss!
Maaaan that 50 minute final episode to the first season really hit.