Netflix’s Moonrise Anime Is a Gorgeous Space Opera, but Its Story Is a Mess

On paper, Netflix’s new sci-fi anime, Moonrise, is anime catnip to old and new generations of anime fans as a dream collaboration too significant to fail, even if the platform faltered in promoting it before its release. Directed by Masashi Koizuka of Wit Studio (Attack on Titan), featuring character designs by Hiromu Arakawa of Fullmetal Alchemist fame, and scripted by Tow Ubukata (Fafner in the Azure), the series promised a space opera evoking the essence of Star Wars and Space Battleship Yamato. This impressive combination of talent elevated Moonrise to must-watch status before a single frame was seen. However, the narrative struggles to maintain a consistent harmony with the anime’s otherwise stunning sci-fi action sequences and sharp animation, resulting in an uneven viewing experience under Netflix’s instant-gratification binge-watch model. Moonrise is set in a near future where humanity flourishes in a seemingly idyllic utopia, free from racial discrimination, war, pollution, a ... Read full article.