Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- is the latest Netflix anime that is based on a popular old-school manga. This is one of the most over-the-top and crazy anime shows that Netflix has produced so far and it is so much fun! This is not the kind of thing to watch if you are looking for something serious or if you are easily offended!
How to Download Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy-
You can download or stream the film from Netflix. Click on the Download button at the end of this review. If you like good anime with magical explosions and a little big of naughtiness, check out also our review of The Seven Deadly Sins.
The Movie Review
What drew me to this was the title, not the “bastard” in it, which let’s be honest is very attention-grabbing, but the heavy metal / dark fantasy aspect of it. I am a huge heavy metal fan and I am also a lover of dark fantasy. To say that this show is all about those themes is a massive understatement, heck the main city the show takes place in is called Metallicana.
The first episode of the show states that humanity was too evil and as a result gave birth to darkness. Humanities darkness was fought off by a dragon made from light in a war that decimated the Earth! The actual show takes place 400 years later and mankind has turned into medieval fantasy-type society.
The people of the kingdom of Metallicana are under attack by the Dark Rebel Army who wants to bring back this evil and all looks lost, but that brings us to one of our main characters, Yoko who is the daughter of a powerful wizard and she is the guardian of a rather weak young man/boy called Lucien.
Yoko is a pretty awesome character; she is strong-willed and puts up with none of Lucien’s crybaby antics. Now, Lucien is an interesting character in that he is the vessel for the reincarnation of a powerful being called Dark Schneider which is the most awesome name ever and sounds like the lead singer from a heavy metal band!
Yoko is the key to awakening Dark Schneider. You see, the magic that seals him inside Lucien can be awakened by the kiss of a virgin. So, when Yoko kisses, Lucien Dark Schneider appears and reluctantly agrees to help them fight off the Dark Rebel Army.
I have to say that Dark Schneider is the most awesome and 80s-inspired character I have ever seen in an anime. Dark Schneider is just a macho jerk (who I love!) who talks down to women and sees them as objects, I am pretty sure some people are going to be offended by this character! However, the show does it all with its tongue firmly in its cheek and I found it to be hilarious and not offensive in the slightest.
If you want deep character development, Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy is not the show for you. The only bit of actual character development we get in the show is how Yoko pretty much lusts after Dark Schneider but has no feelings at all for Lucien. Adding to this is that the big-boobed leader of Metallicana also has a thing for Dark Schneider!
I have to say that Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- is 100 percent a show that is well and truly style over substance. The show is like an 80s heavy metal album cover by the likes of Iron Maiden or Judas Priests come to life and I freaking love it for that. The dialogue is so silly and cheesy as the characters explain everything that you are seeing happen, but I found it to be more amusing than annoying.
The art in this show is incredible and it has one of the most badass and “metal” intros of any anime I have seen. The intro lasts over two minutes which is just insane, but it is so cool, I watched it every time. The soundtrack here is truly epic and as a fan of metal, I thought it fit the tone of the show perfectly. While I do not think that Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- is a show that will appeal to everyone, I certainly enjoyed it.
