Nazca

—by Mark L. Johnson

NAZCA: BLADES OF FATE leads off Pioneer's next 13 episode series released in English, which we originally looked at in EX 3.3. This is a review of the first three-episode volume on DVD, along with my own thoughts about the series as well.
As we mentioned before, NAZCA mainly takes place in Japan and revolves around Kyoji, an apt student of kendo in high school, and his sempai, kendo teacher and his friend Tate. After witnessing a strange incident in the final match of a kendo tournament that Tate was competing in, Kyoji notices Tate change dramatically.
We soon learn that Tate has remembered his previous life as the Incan warrior Yawaru, and he decides to continue this ancient warrior's cause. He also forces Kyoji to recall his own previous soul as Bilka. Kyoji struggles to figure himself out, as well as deal with his close friend Tate re-igniting the hatred between Yawaru and Bilka. Kyoji's friends, enemies and associates start to discover their own past lives as well, to potentially takes sides separate from their feelings in their current lives. Also left unanswered is what really happened back to these characters when the Incan empire collapsed, and what hidden power does Tate plan to release upon the world?
The biggest issue I have with NAZCA is the level of suspension of disbelief required to enjoy the series. The writers use of Incan lore at times seems based on a one paragraph summary you might find at the beginning of a history book about the Incas. As such, the insertion of these Inca elements into the Japanese lives of the characters can seem too contrived. The use of overplayed anime stereotypes comes into play as well, like the gang of bullies/hoodlums beating up a couple of characters for no apparent reason, only to have the victims saved in the nick of time.
Production value wise, the style and design is good for a TV series, but in certain parts it fails, where so many others have as well, while attempting to blend 3D computer graphics with cel animation. This is very apparent in the second episode that presented glaringly simpler CG backgrounds with poorly scanned character artwork on top.
The English track I found to be one of the better ones as of late. Characters like Kyoji's voice came across weak in parts, while others like Shiogami added to their roles while still staying true to the character. The Japanese track, however, still remains my favorite containing the standard mix of anime veterans, including the fan favorite Hayashibara Megumi.
The music is a strange mix from multiple genres. The opening is a version of a classic Bach piece, and the ending theme keeps reminding me of a Simon and Garfunkel song for some reason. Within the show, the background music is of good quality, but again an odd mix of styles. At some points I barely noticed the music, and other times it was very overwhelming.
For a quick look at the DVD itself, it lives up to standard Pioneer quality set in previous DVD releases. The features of English/Japanese voice and subtitle options are there, along with a decent scene search, a few character sketches and an outdated Pioneer product listing. As a pure nitpick though, the subtitles seemed a little sharper and harder to read than previous titles, but I found this to be truly minor.
My own feelings on the series remain mixed as a result of these issues. On the one hand, the story elements fall too often to clichéd writing and scenes, and the use of computer graphics use was inconsistent at best and truly diminished the final product. On the other hand, however, is the potential for an interesting scenario where friends become foe (and vice versa) as they fight to not only regain their past, but to potentially change it.
As such, I would give NAZCA a hesitant thumbs up to viewers interested in character drama and swordplay. Be sure to examine this first volume before diving into the entire four volume series though, as I have seen opinions of this series split groups of anime viewers down the middle into advocates and opponents.

Released in North America by Pioneer Entertainment (U.S.A.) L.P.
Vol 1. Blades of Fate
3 Episode / 75 Minutes
Dubbed: PIVA-7181D $24.98
Subbed: PIVA-7181S $29.98
DVD: PIDA-7181V $29.98
Available now in the U.S.A.
Where to buy