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There was a bit of consternation when Fractale slipped from its original release date in late 2012 to April 2013. As with any anime release it is disappointing when you have to wait a bit longer for it, but in this case it is really worth the wait. Fractale is set in a future where humanity lives in
perfect peace and prosperity, their minds and bodies cared for by a centuries
old technology known as the Fractale System. Fractale provides a virtual
environment that caters for people's every need, making concepts such as
ownership and community all but obsolete. Any interaction that is required
in or with the real world is made via computer-generated holograms known as
doppels, and even the few people that choose to live outside of the system still
rely on it for information and medical care. Clain is one such person, he
is fascinated with old technology and chooses to live outside of Fractale in a
real world cottage, where he tinkers with old bits and bobs he finds.
However, his world turns upside down when he helps a mysterious girl called
Phryne escape from some dangerous pursuers, and she entrusts an ancient pendant
to him. Clain recognises the pendant as old technology, but is shocked
when his analysis of it triggers the appearance of an enthusiastic, child-like
doppel called Nessa. Nessa is unusual as far as doppels go, she can
interact with the real world and seems to have unusual powers to affect computer
systems and technology around her, but it seems there is even more to her than
meets the eye. The satellites that form an integral part of the Fractale
system are failing, leading to gaps in coverage that leave people cut off.
In order to rectify this the priestesses that oversee the system need Phryne and
Nessa and with time running out will go to any lengths to recapture them.
However, they're not the only ones with an interest in the pair. The Lost
Millennium movement is a loose association of clans that have rejected Fractale
and are trying to revive the ways of life made obsolete by the system.
They farm and teach, live in towns and practice medicine as well as lead a
guerrilla war against the priestesses, who persecute them in turn. For the
Lost Millennium clan Granitz Phryne and Nessa offer a once-in-a-millennium
opportunity to rescue humanity from the gilded cage of Fractale, and if they can
secure the pair they can bring down the system for good. With the fate of
the world at stake what can Clain do to help keep his new friends safe? |
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Fractale is a classic high concept sci-fi fantasy adventure of the type that was particularly prevalent in the 1980s. In its depiction of a future world reliant on ancient technology and bound by old religions it is reminiscent of Nausicäa of the Valley of the the Wind, with a particularly notable homage being the blue-clad Phryne's first appearance as she attempts to escape from her pursuers on a futuristic white glider. However, in its execution it evokes a similar feeling to the classic anime series Nadia: The Secret of the Blue Water, |
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with a technologically-minded young man dragged on a great - and hazardous - adventure by the appearance of a mysterious woman who is chased by a gang of comical villains. Like Nadia the story soon outgrows its initial premise, challenging the characters with serious moral choices and confronting them with very real dangers. Both the Lost Millennium organisation and the temple priestesses will go to any lengths to capture Phryne and Nessa, leading to an escalating armed conflict with casualties on both sides. Clain is stuck in the middle, trying his best to protect and save his new friends whilst wrestling with the implications of what their capture by either side could mean for the world. It's this moral ambiguity of both sides that forms the heart
of the series. The Fractale system has eradicated disease, war and human
want, but it has also removed free will and destroyed human interaction.
The problem is that humanity is too reliant on it, and if the system collapses
the majority of people will not be able to survive in the real world. For
Lost Millennium the goal is to re-educate humanity, rebuild community and enable
people to live outside of the system. They see a managed withdrawal from
Fractale as ideal, although some factions within the group want the system
destroyed for good. For the temple priestesses the goal is to preserve
Fractale indefinitely, maintaining their control and keeping humanity alive in
ignorance. Their are benefits to each course of action, but neither take
into account the free will of Phryne and Nessa, both of which are essential to
the success of either side. In many ways it's similar in premise to the
Matrix films, but with far less kung-fu and a very different human world.
Despite this - and the similarities to other anime - the storyline is fresh,
with plenty of engrossing twists and turns that really draw you in. The
characters are excellent, from the emotionally scarred and distant Phryne to the
inquisitive, child-like Nessa and the kind-hearted but naive Clain. Each
of them grows over the course of the series, finding out more about themselves
and the world they live in, and even the side characters don't fit easily into
the usual character archetypes. The animation, art and music is excellent
throughout, well above the usual standard of TV animation. The setting is
stunning, with the beautiful pastoral countryside giving way to
Laputa-style airships and floating castles, and
there is enough left unsaid about the world to really pique your interest. |
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If there's a fault to pick with Fractale it's probably that it's a bit too short. Whilst it never feels rushed it is a shame that the series doesn't delve deeper into its world. The story and setting is so rich that the series feels longer than it actually is, and there is so much scope to expand on what has happened to the majority of humanity, show more of the Lost Millennium groups or even explain more about the people who send their doppels into the real world. It may be a missed opportunity that we don't get to see more, but in a way it |
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may also be to the series' credit that it doesn't get bogged down in side stories or pointless filler. With just eleven episodes the series is focused and well paced, it gets far more story and setting into a handful of episodes than seems possible and yet it never feels bloated or confused. There's a lot inferred but left unsaid, giving the series a much larger scope than it should have. I really enjoyed Fractale. In some ways it's a throwback, a rip-roaring adventure with an enigmatic young woman taking a naive young man into a world of danger and mystery. But it is also a very modern sci-fi fantasy that draws elements from a variety of anime and moulds them into something entirely its own. The characters are excellent, even the side characters are quite complex and most of the central cast develops realistically over the course of the series to reach their own conclusions about their world and take on new responsibilities. The story keeps you guessing until pretty much the end, and the series as a whole remains gripping throughout, successfully combining action, drama, romance and a touch of comedy and horror. Yes there are bits that are a little too reminiscent of Nausicäa and even Neon Genesis Evangelion, but as a whole Fractale is an excellent series and my only real problem is that there isn't more of it. Extras A trailer and audio commentaries for episodes 1 and 7 featuring the US dub cast, adaptive scriptwriter and ADR director. Not too bad, but considering the quality of the series a few more extras wouldn't have gone amiss. There's not even the usual clean opening and ending sequences! Ratings Feature:
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