The mecha genre has undergone significant evolution raising questions about its current relevance. While some detractors dismiss AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline as a cheap Gundamhttps://anilist.co/anime/80/ knockoff a closer examination of modern mecha titles including Gundam itself reveals how the genre has transformed to cater to the preferences of a new generation. Traditional tropes and elements have been reimagined and reshaped aligning with the changing tastes and demands of contemporary anime audiences. This observation is not solely based on personal claims even Takuya Okamoto the producer of Witch from Mercury at studio Sunrise acknowledges that classic Gundam titles no longer resonate with modern viewershttp://4nn.cx/.190729. This phenomenon extends beyond mecha alone and can be seen across various subgenres. Many longtime fans and seasoned mecha enthusiasts have understandably grown disenchanted with the genre shifting their attention to alternative forms of entertainment. Mecha anime has become inundated with tired elements and tropes including school settings waifubaits edgy immature presentation otaku culture horny fanservice and moe character designs. These prevailing trends have alienated the older generation of mecha fans who yearn for a departure from the modernised and formulaic aspects prevalent in contemporary mecha titles. However in this landscape of fatigue a handful of lesserknown titles such as AMAIM have boldly reintroduced oldschool political mecha tropes into the modern era. Regrettably due to its departure from conventional elements the series has largely escaped the notice of both traditional mecha enthusiasts and contemporary audiences. The veterans have grown disillusioned hesitant to venture into new mecha titles while fans of the modern approach find AMAIM unappealing compared to their usual fare. Consequently the series finds itself trapped in a paradoxical position failing to capture the attention of either group. That being said while AMAIM successfully avoids employing tropes that dont belong in a political mecha and that retro mecha fans including myself have grown weary of in anime it is crucial to note that the mere avoidance of these tropes does not automatically make an anime exceptional. It takes more than the absence of undesirable elements to create a truly remarkable and memorable work. AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline another production from Sunrise and helmed by the veteran director Habara Nobuyoshihttps://anilist.co/staff/115631/ renowned for his niche cult classic mecha anime like Fafnerhttps://anilist.co/anime/75/ dubbed a discount Evangelionhttps://anilist.co/anime/30/ and Broken Bladehttps://anilist.co/anime/6772/ labelled a discount Gundam offers a simple yet intriguing premise rooted in political war drama. The story unfolds in a world where four rival nations where not America not Russia not Australia and not China vie for control over Japan. Concurrently a Japanese resistance military faction named Yatagarasu fights to reclaim their homeland joined by unexpected allies from not Germany and not Italy if this is going where I think its going adding another layer of complexity to the conflict. This multifaceted setup presents a stage populated by at least five different nations turning Japan into a wartorn battleground. What sets AMAIM apart from the two abovementioned titles is its ability to strike a delicate balance rather than strictly focusing on angsty teenagers battling monsters with giant robots or delivering a runofthemill political war drama with a fully adult cast. It features fewer emo kids fighting in a war that involves a dangerous and enigmatic entityan unmanned robot called Ghost which is scary and nearly invincible. The anime begins by immersing viewers in a dystopian future where Japan teeters on the edge of collapse due to economic failures an aging population and low birth rates. This setting effectively establishes the dire state of the country and the need for external assistance. The audience is introduced to a Japan on the brink of societal breakdown where powerful nations and allied forces respond to the crisis by deploying highly advanced humanoid war machines called AMAIM. This deployment aims to aid Japan during this tumultuous time but ultimately leads to the Boundary War. The anime successfully establishes a dystopian narrative that delves into profound themes such as identity nationalism and personal connections within a struggling Japan. By providing a vivid depiction of a society on the verge of collapse it introduces viewers to a diverse cast of characters who navigate this complex and hostile environment. The narrative follows Amou Shiiba a young scavenger who navigates the divided landscape of Japan scavenging discarded AMAIM parts. Through Amous experiences the anime prompts viewers to contemplate the consequences of external intervention and occupation on a nations identity and the lives of its individuals. The tension between Japanese locals and foreign forces highlights the cultural and social divide within a multicultural society. It raises questions about the clash of values and power dynamics in a world where occupation and resistance exist side by side. The presence of Japanese terrorists and extraterritorial jurisdiction hints at a complex power dynamic and foreshadows potential conflicts that arise from the occupation. The anime explores themes of hopelessness and limited prospects within a struggling society through Amous introspective monologues. The socioeconomic challenges facing Japan including high unemployment and a declining GDP permeate the narrative creating an atmosphere of despair and frustration. For Amou his connection with machines becomes a form of escapism and a coping mechanism in a world where he can exert control and agency. It also touches upon the concept of identity and the anonymity of online relationships. Amous interactions with his online friends whose true identities and locations remain unknown underscore the significance of shared interests and virtual communities as sources of support and camaraderie. Amou the central protagonist after becoming a fugitive finds himself taken to the base camp of Yatagarasu where he is exposed to the operations and ideals of the resistance group. The base camp serves as a central hub for individuals who are dedicated to fighting for Japans independence. It is here that Amou is given an opportunity to align himself with a cause greater than himself and become part of the struggle. Amou who was previously focused on personal survival and evading capture is now faced with a decision that will shape his future. The leaders of Yatagarasu present Amou with compelling reasons and motivations to join their fight they even have Risa try hard to convince Amou to join their group she even strips her shirt for Amou so that the young teenage boy knows if he joins the Yatagarasu he will get to hang out with some hot chicks...what? That scene was not sexualised you say? But inuniverse its still sexy I mean it may not be sexy to us but it was sexy for him you know what I mean? Anyway jokes aside Amou was still hesitant and reluctantly joined only to leave them and then rejoin lol. What an obnoxious indecisive sucker Amou was. But at least the Yatagarasu respected his choice even though they were fine with the idea of recruiting child soldiers right? The anime continues to depict intense action sequences and emotional character development as the team faces challenges and confronts the enemy. The importance of teamwork and the resilience of the human spirit are highlighted throughout the battles. The narrative also delves into themes of revenge loss and the complexities of decisionmaking in times of war. It introduces the central conflict between the Japanese resistance and the occupying forces showcasing the bravery and sacrifices made by the young characters involved in the resistance movement. The story sets the stage for political maneuvering as well as the introduction of the Ghost robot as a formidable threat. It reveals further political complexities and introduces a neutral country such as Brenson Corp expanding the scope of the conflict and highlighting the multilayered nature of the war. While some may dismiss the premise as mere Japanese nationalism propagandahttps://www.animefeminist.com/amaimwarriorattheborderlineepisode1/ which holds some truth it is essential to recognise that the quality of a story extends beyond its thematic exploration. Even if it were propaganda it would not automatically render the story bad. The key lies in providing engaging storytelling while subtly critiquing the political themes at play. Unfortunately one of the weaknesses of AMAIM is its lack of moral ambiguity. The series leans towards a blatant and preachy narrative in favour of nationalism presenting antinationalist characters as either selfish and powerhungry or simply dimwitted pathetic pacifists. This oversimplification robs the story of the potential for a nuanced exploration of complex political ideologies and the shades of grey within them. Moreover the credibility of the war setting is another point where AMAIM stumbles. In a genre centered around mechanised warfare it becomes crucial to maintain a level of realism and believability in the strategic aspects of the conflict. While AMAIM isnt pretentious and doesnt try to be strategically complex or involves chess in its battles it is still important to show plausible strategies and tactics in war. AMAIM often falls into the trap of employing contrived plot points to drive the war forward. The war loses its meaning when a few giant robots easily overpower entire armies or launch sudden attacks on supposedly secure cities without enemies prior knowledge. This diminishes the effectiveness and credibility of other units undermining the tension they should bring to the story. When a single giant robot can effortlessly destroy not just one but two military platoons it becomes more akin to a battleshounen disguised as a political war mecha. Some may criticise the anime for glorifying war and they are not wrong based on what the anime has presented in this installment. Amou the protagonist acted like a wuss and refuses to get in the damn robot to fight alongside the Japanese resistance military. Meanwhile his angry and vengeful partner Gashin constantly urges Amou to join them and fight the invaders. Eventually Gashin is proven right: You cant protect those you love without fighting you cant stop war without engaging in it you must wage a war to end wars you must crush your enemies see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their women Where is your sense of patriotism and nationalism? Yes you must murder people to reclaim former glory of your homeland Except you dont cause youre fighting unmanned robots well most of the time. Its still dull The futuristic scifi setting with highly intelligent artificial intelligence may excuse the absence of traditional war drama tropes but can we consider it an intriguing war drama when there are minimal civilian casualties and enemy soldiers barely get killed? I wanted to see more murdering and explosions goddammit So here you go antiwar literature lovers who dislike war glorification. You somewhat got what you wanted with the pacifist wuss excuse of a protagonist even though the show consistently calls out his lack of solid practical principles. While the storytelling in question may draw criticism for its perceived glorification of war and departure from classical war drama tropes it offers thoughtprovoking elements that delve into deeper themes. The anime dares to question the necessity of violence as a means to achieve goals challenging the protagonists pacifist stance and exploring the profound consequences of colonisation on culture. In this regard it presents a morally grey landscape that encourages viewers to ponder the practical principles and ethics guiding the characters actions. The narrative raises pertinent inquiries regarding the motivations behind warfare and the vested business interests at play. It underscores how war serves as a catalyst for the proliferation of weapons and resources creating a lucrative ecosystem that satisfies the ambitions of profitseeking individuals. The cycle of war drives the demand for more weapons and warrelated resources perpetuating a circle of commerce that brings satisfaction to greedy businessmen. The anime also deserves credit for its skillful development of the side characters especially from the American military most notably Captain Brad Watt. Through their portrayals the anime conveys a significant message about the importance of nationalism and the quest for independence. It highlights the potential loss of Japanese culture in the absence of resistance against colonisation and emphasises how the destructive force of colonisation erodes cultural identities. The concept of cultural suicide emerges during a conversation between Captain Brad and his comrade where the captain despite being an adversary to the Japanese nationalists raises this point. This exchange not only serves as a commentary on anticolonial nationalism but also helps create sympathetic antagonists challenging the notion that every soldier is inherently driven by nationalist fervour. One plot point that perplexes me is how the Americans managed to gather data and create simulations of MAILeStype AMAIM from the incident at Yatagarasus base. They had no direct involvement in the battle and were unaware of the terrorists location prior to the attack ruling out the possibility of espionage or having a mole within Yatagarasu. Although they eventually discovered the enemys base after the sudden assault and arrived at the scene later it was after Yatagarasu had supposedly destroyed evidence and the Asian military had already cleared the area before the Americans. The notion that detailed data about the three giant robots was obtained solely through the captains examination of the aftermath seems implausible to me. It feels forced and unconvincing given the weak explanation provided. Furthermore the narrative includes infodumps that present crucial information and raises important questions that should have been addressed earlier in the story such as the origins of Yatagarasus MAILeStype AMAIMs and iLeS. These revelations contribute to the storys depth and draw attention to significant aspects that warrant earlier exploration. The anime could have integrated these details more seamlessly into the narrative to avoid the feeling of delayed exposition. In terms of tone AMAIM skillfully blends elements of gloominess with occasional childish humour. Characters like Gai the AI Digimon offer comic relief without undermining the serious nature of the anime. This contrast provides hope for the emotionally broken teenage protagonists who lack nurturing parents and emotional support. This balance of lighthearted moments with the darker themes adds layers to the characters emotional journeys. Visually AMAIM skillfully portrays a postapocalyptic landscape characterised by dilapidated cityscapes and wartorn environments. The deliberate use of contrasting colour palettes with vibrant hues for the AMAIM machines juxtaposed against desaturated tones for the surroundings reinforces the sense of a bleak and divided world. This visual dichotomy underscores the stark contrast between the advanced technology of the AMAIMs and the crumbling state of society further emphasising the themes of hope versus despair and technological advancement versus societal decay. The animation quality of the show avoids the common modern anime reliance on CGI although it remains at an average level. While the character designs may not be excessively appealing they are also not offputting. One commendable aspect is that the girl in the team isnt sexually designed and its refreshing to see a respectable and modest female character design in a time when sexualised designs have become the norm in anime. Additionally the mecha designs effectively convey their respective attributes without relying on excessive plot explanations. For instance you can easily discern the specialisation of the main three mecha robots through their shapes weapons and maneuvering. Kenbu is specialised in defense featuring larger shields and a balanced offensive capability. On the other hand Jogan is clearly designed for longrange combat equipped with firearms a sniper and grenades. Finally Reiki is purely offensive exhibiting agility speed wings for flight and a spear as its weapon. Overall AMAIMs journey was a mixed bag: a strong start a weak middle and a mediocre conclusion. AMAIM may not reach the pinnacle of excellence in the mecha genre but hey it is still better than most 2020s anime and far superior to the majority of modern anime offerings. Strong introduction captivating worldbuilding and intense mecha battles. Then it drops into a shaky middlepacing issues characters on life support. The plot loses stream. Conclusion is mediocre but it tries. Doesnt always deliver but has flashes of brilliance on occasion. Ambitious themes thoughtprovoking moments and flashy mecha battlesa treat for mecha fans. Consider it but keep your expectations in check