For the last two iterations, it’s not hard to tell if Guilty Gear can be a fighting game suitable to be a straight-up anime. Arc System Works has been creating the parallels since its inception. In the more recent years, Xrd is a testament to what Guilty Gear can do if it is treated as such, with cell-shaded Unreal models to boot. For one of the most difficult fighting games to swing a hitbox at, Guilty Gear finds itself to be a hit even within its own story. The first episode was released on Crunchyroll.
Strive even has its’ own anime-esque 5 hour fight-free story mode that could be Crunchyroll worthy with every trope they can pull off. With the way Japanese franchises dig into lore, it was all too easy to get Dual Rulers out the door and to a broader audience.
Peace seems to ring throughout the world as Gears and Humans seem to be in harmony since the war’s end. Ky Kiske and Dizzy decide to make their union official with a wedding to celebrate. Sin and Sol are doing the bounty hunter thing. Syn Kiske and Sol Badguy – the surrogate son and father – are brought into the antics when a visitor interrupts the festivities of an unorthodox union. As to what this intruder wants from Ky and Dizzy seems clear, and wastes no time in making her demands heard, causing panic within the ranks of the Daredevils.
Worth Watching?
YES – So far. Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers had an interesting start. Some characters from the series are key players in this story and aren’t shoe-horned or shunned for nothing. From the looks of it, we’re probably not going to see Faust do a Kanchou prank and run off-screen. Butt jokes aren’t probably coming and we’re here for it. Even President Vernon gets his moment. Guilty Gear can have humor at the end of a serious plot, as Sin provides. The character introduction announcements were clearly giving out the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order vibes without the zany with its own pause. The narrator is helpful enough to be an addition to discuss the actions.
The most important question is whether the art can represent the game. The translations of powers and abilities are done without fail for the fights. Since it’s more slapstick and fantastical, to expect a more grounded Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie approach might be to anyone’s downfall. It’s vivid. Sin and Sol’s first task is a reminder that Guilty Gear is for everyone, despite the heavy metal tracks and high-paced action it contains.
With more episodes to come, as well as Urika becoming a playable Daredevil in Guilty Gear Strive next month, there is a lot of anticipation to see where Guilty Gear will take this development on Crunchyroll, with thrilling clings to the chopsticks.
