I just watched the Rahxephon movie, ordered from my local library network. If I’d bought it, I probably would have had to pay $29.99 or so. Not worth it. Rahxephon is definitely craptastic.
Rahxephon has been called an Evangelion copy by many, although I think it had enough different concepts to let it stand on its own (though I think both were influenced by Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End). I enjoyed the series despite the bad voice acting – in English and Japanese, in my opinion – and Ayato’s endless screaming, and the lack of chemistry between Ayato and Haruka. I believed Haruka’s side of it, but not Ayato’s (maybe because I was watching the English dub usually). The ending was sweet, though…
Pluralitas Concentio reminds me of Evangelion: Death and Rebirth in that it uses old footage and adds some new footage. However, Evangelion eventually made it to The End of Evangelion, with practically all new footage and a great, horrifying finale. Pluralitas Concentio is like the Escaflowne movie in that it, instead, retells the Rahxephon story, though not as differently as the Escaflowne movie does. Pluralitas Concentio alters a few details and some scenes, relies heavily on footage from episodes, which seem like they’re being fast-forwarded, and tries to develop the romantic subplot between Ayato and Haruka but ultimately fails, I think.
The plot is loosely pieced together with images of Ayato and Haruka getting back together and random fights with Dolems, not to mention the part where Ayato runs away and lives a few days with his friend Asahina. I think Ayato’s last moments with Asahina were some of the most poetic parts in the series, particularly Asahina’s goodbye in the form of writing with city lights. The movie cuts this up, and the scenes lose their sweetness since we’ve barely met Asahina before this happens. Also, the near-kiss between Ayato and Asahina is missing, leading one to wonder what on earth kind of relationship they have.
To be fair, Ayato and Haruka finally have sex, but it does not affect the plot whatsoever, and the scene is in itself unrealistic (it comes right after Asahina dies). Also, it comes BEFORE Ayato truly understands who Haruka is – before they even really get to know each other again. Pointless.
The end of the movie shifts the focus from Ayato and his transformation into a god, to Haruka and her love for him. The ending shows Haruka as an old woman as opposed to the new mother from the end of the series. Thus, the beginning and end of Pluralitas Concentio revolve around Haruka and Ayato. Now if only the rest of the movie had, this might have been a very good romance. But, alas, all the stuff about the Rahxephon interferes…
Okay, this is basically turning into a rant about how Pluralitas Concentio doesn’t cut it, and it doesn’t. Hopefully there is fanfiction out there that gives justice to these characters, because the series never quite made it there for me, and neither did the movie. (Before someone gets pissed, just like to remind you, I did enjoy the series and bought every DVD for $29.99 at rip-off Suncoast).
Hmm…well, lastly, the best part of Rahxephon must be the artwork – not the series animation, but the very lovely artwork on, say, the CD covers…
One thing, though. Something I’ve admired about Rahxephon has been the use of color, specifically the three primary colors – red, blue, and yellow. Red for humans, blue for Mulians, and yellow for…a happy medium? Though both humans and Mulians will wear red or blue…but Mishima Reika always wears yellow. Pluralitas Concentio pushes that to the extreme, with almost every frame containing red and blue, and occasionally yellow. In one great scene, Ayato asks Asahina what’s wrong with her, just after the camera has cut to signs saying, “Hello. How are you? I have a problem. Please help me.” Ayato and Asahina are standing in front of the French flag. Asahina is standing in front of the blue side, and Ayato is in front of the red; white space separates them. Mulian vs. Human – their total disconnect. Like I said before, Asahina and Ayato’s time together is probably the most poetic part of the anime (and, I guess, the movie).
