Ron Does Stuff

Back when I still had a book blog, I really, really loved Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan. My review of this book — and the other books that followed — are gone now, along with my blog, but this is still one of those series’ that I would happily recommend to other people.

So imagine my surprise when I suddenly see the trailer for an anime adaptation on YouTube? And now I get to watch it on Netflix? Let’s go!

The show beings just as I remember from the books, with Aleksander being awoken in the middle of the night by Count Volger and Klopp to pilot a Walker, ostensibly to train him. But it is the eve of World War I and he’s the son of the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, and we know what happens to the Archduke of Austria-Hungary.

It’s not the training Walker that Aleksander is piloting, however, but an actual combat model. And can I just say how amazing it is seeing Keith Thompson’s illustration come to life, as well as to actually see what’s inside a Walker? When Aleksander puts a little distance between him and the castle, he starts suspecting Count Volger of attempting to kidnap him, but it’s the opposite. Volger’s just following the archduke’s orders that he gave before getting assassinated in Sarajevo.

While that’s happening, Deryn is attempting to join the army in Scotland, disguised as a boy named Dylan. We get to see the fabricated beasts of the Darwinists and just like the Walker, it’s so great to see those lovely book illustrations come to life. And seeing how well done it is? Animated really was the only way to go for this series because a live action adaptation might just botch it.

Back in Austria-Hungary, Aleksander is still coming to terms with the death of his parents. Or to put it more accurately, not coming to terms with it. He doesn’t think this clandestine trek out of Austria-Hungary is needed, since he’s no heir to the throne, but Count Volger quickly disabuses him of that notion after letting him see the gigantic German Walker pursuing them and firing at them. It’s also Aleksander’s first taste of war and killing, and it’s a harsh lesson for him to learn.

Meanwhile, Deryn continues to float over England after the Huxley she was riding for the recruitment test gets blown away, eventually taking her to the namesake of the show, the Leviathan.

It’s been a great first episode, if a little more sedate than I expected. But not bad at all!