Shingeki no Bahamut – Virgin Soul: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Red Dragon” [Series Premiere] – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

Despite not watching the first season and being new to the property, I was left completely sold and plan to fit in some time to watch the first season.

The Introduction

It has been 10 years since Bahamut nearly turned a whole continent into ashes and the world still hasn’t fully recovered. Thus forcing people, like 16-year-old Nina, to go to the capital since their villages are still in disarray. Leaving them to compete with the possible cheap labor of demons in order to make a living. But, strangely enough, Nina has super human strength. Though, the caveat to that is, like the Hulk, if she gets flustered she turns into a monster. For her, it is a red dragon.

But, while Nina focuses on surviving, Lord Charioce XVII and his right-hand man Kaisar have bigger fish to fry. Said fish being what is known as “The Rag Demon.” A being who seems to be pro-demon rights and liberates those held in captivity or under inhumane conditions. Someone who crosses Nina’s path as she decides just being a laborer isn’t producing enough money to send home.

Highlights

It Gives You Reasons To Be Invested

Nina, aka She-Hulk, makes for an interesting lead. Granted, she does have this generic bubbly quality to her, but the characters she shares the show with compensates for that. Especially since the culture of Anatae has a clear caste system when it comes to humans vs. demons. Making the whole Rag Demon’s entry quite a thing to take note of. For, so it seems, when it comes to the royal court, Lord Charoice may use magical beings and dragons but, for the most part, he has humans like Kaisar enforce his command. Thus leaving us only seeing demons as laborers or gladiators who fight for Charoice’s entertainment.

Something which, considering the Rag Demon’s liberation movement, may lead to some kind of civil uprising. Which, considering how diverse we have seen these demons, it could lead to some real interesting and nasty fights. Of which, based on what’s we’ve seen thus far, seem like they’ll be interesting. Granted, they won’t be graphic, but the style of the anime doesn’t lend itself to action movie-esque fast cuts to really put you in the mindset that these fights will be action packed.

It Doesn’t Seem Like You Are Missing Anything Major

The way the show is setup, it has been 10 years since the first season and while it seems like characters, such as Kaisar, played a major role in the first season, you won’t be left feeling you need to know what happened in season 1 to get into this. Reason being, while references are made as to what likely happened in the first season, they aren’t treated as essential details you have to know or else you’d be left with a handicap.

With that said, considering the quality of the first episode, I believe, if just for the sake of understanding Nina’s world more, you’ll be tempted to check out the first season so that you can fully enjoy this sequel.

On The Fence

Nina’s Caveat

The one thing which could bring down this show, just a notch, is Nina being a 16-year-old girl who seems to become flushed over guys fairly often. Which, depending on how that is handled, especially in relation to her becoming the red dragon, could becoming the one annoying thing in an otherwise good show. That and whether or not, with her losing her ripping and losing her clothes, post-transformation, if the show tries to insert ecchi or the horrible comical nude moments given to use by Clockwork Planet.

Overall: Positive (Watch This)

While it is clear that there is much more to this story, as hinted in references throughout the episode, it doesn’t seem the first season is required to enjoy this sequel. However, considering what is presented, your curiosity will surely lead you to desire to flesh out this world more. But, on its own, Shingeki no Bahamut – Virgin Soul does well in courting your interest and I think will substantiate your decision to watch this week to week and giving it a half hour of your time. Hence the Positive label.