Land of the Lustrous (TV series)
Immortal gemstone beings fight lunar invaders in CG anime.
Land of the Lustrous is a 2017 Japanese anime television series based on Haruko Ichikawa's manga, produced by the CG animation studio Orange. Directed by Takahiko Kyōgoku and written by Toshiya Ono, it follows the immortal gemstone humanoids called the Lustrous as they defend against the Lunarians. The series is noted for its 3D animation base, chosen partly to depict translucent gemstones, and is frequently cited as a turning point for CG anime.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Action
- Fantasy
- Post-apocalyptic
Facts from the source article.
Premise
In the far future, immortal humanoid lifeforms called the Lustrous, embodiments of gemstones, defend themselves against the Lunarians from the Moon, who seek to harvest their bodies for decorations. The twenty-eight Lustrous are led by their teacher Kongo. Phosphophyllite (Phos), the youngest at 300 years old, is too brittle to fight and is tasked with assembling a natural history. While researching, Phos meets Cinnabar, a poisonous and isolated nightwatch, and decides to find them a better job.
Production
Orange produced the series, adapting the first four volumes of Haruko Ichikawa's manga. The project began in 2015 when Toho's Katsuhiro Takei approached director Takahiko Kyōgoku, who wanted to create a work with a CG base and complementing 2D animation. Takei wanted Orange from the start; Kyōgoku initially worried about their small staff, but the studio grew from 50 to 100 members during production. Voice recording was done after animatics but before CG creation, unusual for anime. Kyōgoku praised Tomoyo Kurosawa's performance as Phos, noting she physically acted out lines and "became" the character. Concept art by Yōichi Nishikawa heavily influenced the series' visuals. The opening theme "Kyōmen no Nami" was performed by Yurika, and the ending theme "Kirameku Hamabe" by Yuiko Ōhara.
Release
The series was announced in Monthly Afternoon in May 2017 and aired twelve episodes from October 7 to December 23, 2017 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, and MBS. Sentai Filmworks licensed it for the US, simulcasting on Amazon's Anime Strike, later moving to Amazon Prime Video after Anime Strike's cancellation. It also streamed on Hidive in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Oceania, and Central and South America. Toho released six DVD and Blu-ray sets in Japan starting December 22, 2017, with packaging designed by Tomoko Yamada to resemble jewelry boxes. Sentai Filmworks released a Blu-ray Steelbook in North America on January 22, 2019, and MVM Films released it in the UK on April 29, 2019. English and Latin American Spanish dubs were produced. The translator used gender-neutral pronouns per the manga creator's instruction.
Reception
Critics received Land of the Lustrous positively, calling it among the best anime of its season and decade, and one of the most inventive and fresh in years. The story and characters were praised as unique, relatable, and engrossing, with an intriguing world. Michelle Villanueva of Syfy noted the gems are portrayed as non-binary, highlighting the relationship between Phos and Cinnabar and Rutile's feelings for Padparadscha. She acknowledged the series is not perfect in queer representation but called it a daring stepping stone. The English translation used singular "they" per the creator's wish to portray the characters as genderless.
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