Claymore: Badass Chicks with Big Swords
Let me start of by saying that I did enjoy the anime for the series. I am aware there is an ongoing manga. I just don’t have the time to read as much anymore. From what I’ve heard the manga and anime differ after the 20th anime episode.
Claymore is set in an alternate world, very much medieval in fashion. Evil humanoid creatures called Yoma feast on human innards. Yoma have the ability to morph into their human victims, capturing their memories as well as their physical form. They appear to be all male.
Now that brings me to the Claymores. They are a faction of half Yoma, half female human warriors known for their silver eyes and huge broadswords. Claymores are dispatched by the “Organization” to villages plagued by Yoma. Claymores have the ability to “sniff out” and kill the Yoma. Claymores can easily determine Yoma from human, once the Yoma have disguised themselves. Claymores each have an unique rank and an insignia. Rank being 1(strongest)-47(weakest). Humans commonly refer to them as “silver eyed witches.”
Yoki, Yoma life energy flows through the veins of both Claymores and Yomas. Claymores have the ability to control the release of their Yoki granting them powers. However, once a Claymore’s Yoki is released beyond 80% they run the risk of “awakening” into a Yoma monster called an Awakened Being. When this happens, the Yoma aspect becomes dominant, and the Claymore morphs into an Awakened Being. It is not generally thought that an awakened Claymore can revert. However, during the course of the anime/manga, it is discovered that this is possible, though risky. The organization continues to deny this, even though they make use of it.
Now this brings me to the start anime. We are quickly introduced to Clare, sent to dispatch a Yoma. Right away we can see how unpopular Claymores are with humans. As Clare is walking into the village, humans stare at her and quickly shut their doors and windows.
The next character we are introduced to is Raki, young boy. He is quite a whiny little bitch at this time. Though we are made to feel sorry for him, once we find out his parents were killed by a Yoma. Even worse when Raki’s brother turns out to be the town’s Yoma.
Right off I decided the soundtrack for Claymore is good. Filled with emotional and strong tunes. Not to fail to mention the opening song gets stuck in my head with each episode.
Raki is kicked out the village due to his brother being the Yoma. He manages to track Clare down but passes out due to exhaustion. He awakens in an inn in a town called Egon. Raki, starts to hunt for Clare. He is informed by a villager? that a Claymore was looking for him and could be found in the forest outside of town.
A Yoma disguised as Clare quickly descends upon Raki. Within moments Clare comes to his rescue. The Yoma is dispatched. We find out Claymores have various healing abilities.
So the first episode ends with Clare having some flashbacks brought on by Raki. I can’t say the first episode is what got me hooked. It isn’t until we are introduced to Teresa of the Faint Smile (in the 3rd episode) that I truly become hooked by this anime.
The anime spans just 26 episodes. I hear it will be released officially in North America Fall 2008. Its not hard to find the series on sites like megavideo.com.
I do intend to continue on with Claymore by reading the manga. Its hard to forget the many characters introduced throughout this series.
I give the anime 8/10 (even though you can predict what will happen near the end. )