'Babylon' Episode 1

This was twenty minutes I did not realize passed 'til it came to the moment when the ending started to play as the next episode was getting ready to play. The first three episodes of the show dropped on Amazon Prime Video, however I wanted to do this piece before I watch the next video so that my thoughts regarding this episode would be isolated to this episode, and not stretched across others.

Right from the moment we start the anime, we are bombarded by exposition, and while not all of it is conveyed well at the start, the quality of it increases as the leads find out more and more about the case that they are investigating. This is because once the initial exposition regarding setup has concluded, we ourselves are following the breadcrumbs along with the characters in the hopes of finding the answers to the questions the show is asking.

This is turning out to be an incredibly complex narrative that involves politics, the education system, and implied murder. Throughout this first episode, the two leads are chasing after the clues that they are finding out, which in turn takes them deeper and deeper into a web comprised of the dark underbelly of privileged society being made up of bribery, political maneuvering, and sexual favours. The power behind all of this corruption is in itself something that is beyond the comprehension of our protagonists so far, though that will not stop them from pursuing justice regardless of what consequences that may come about as a result of the events to follow.

What I am liking quite a bit about this show is that it is revolving around two grownups in the professional workplace and not a couple of high schoolers. This gives the show an added layer of maturity that helps to distinguish itself from many of the other shows that are airing at the moment. In addition to that, the world that is presented in the show is incredibly grounded, despite it taking place in a completely fictional location in Japan.

There is a grit to the ground level that is emphasized by the colour palette that is used when the characters are on the street level while simultaneously contrasting that with the beautiful wide shots of the city that is bathed in various purples and other sunset colours.

While the show builds up quite a bit of intrigue as the episode goes on, it is not only the plot that is moving forward; we are also provided with a significant amount of subtle character development, and a good sense of the bond between the leads. We get to see their personalities, and their interactions are quite dynamic and interesting to watch and listen to; there is a respect between them as superior and subordinate, coupled with a camaraderie that is built on a past of trust. It is this very relationship between the two that makes the ending of the first episode as shocking as it is.

In all, this is a show that I am very interested in and will continue to watch. This episode is a strong opener to the series, setting up the world, the leads, and the conflict effectively. The sense of mystery is so well built that I had to stop myself from watching the next episode right away in order to write this. My biggest hope at this point is that it continues on with this standard of storytelling. As a result of this show bring adapted from a novel, I am looking forward to the show having a definitive end, and I hope even more that it will be a satisfying one.