RahXephon (ラーゼフォン) is a 26-episode science fiction anime series about young Ayato Kamina, his ability to control a god-like mecha known as the RahXephon, and his inner journey to find a place with the world around him. There is also a manga adaptation of the anime, created by Yutaka Izubuchi and Bones, with artwork from Takeaki Momose .

The title has been released in the United States and United Kingdom by ADV Films on 7 DVDs. Additionally, there is an OVA and a movie that summarizes the whole story, taking most of the scenes from the TV episodes, but also featuring a couple of new shots. The anime was released in Singapore by Odex. The manga is published in English in North America by Viz Communications, and it is published in English in Singapore by Chuang Yi.

Cast

Japanese Cast

• Ayato Kamina - Hiro Shimono
• Haruka Shitow - Aya Hisakawa
• Quon Kisaragi - Houko Kuwashima
• Reika Mishima - Maaya Sakamoto
• Megumi Shitow - Ayako Kawasumi

English Cast

• Ayato Kamina - Chris Patton
• Haruka Shitow - Monica Rial
• Quon Kisaragi - HKira Vincent-Davis
• Reika Mishima - Mandy Clark
• Megumi Shitow - Hilary Haag

Plot

The premise of RahXephon is the fight between Humans, and pan-dimensional invaders known as the Mulians, short Mu (pronounced "moo", or "moo-li-ans"). The Mu appear to be human; the only consistent physical difference seems to be their blue blood. The Mu first invaded in the late 1990's, and after some fighting with Humans involving nuclear weapons, they envelope the entire city of Tokyo and some outlying suburbs in a transdimensional sphere resembling Jupiter. It is referred to as Tokyo-Jupiter. Nothing may cross this "absolute barrier", although it turns out that with enough power and technology it is possible to cross and even destroy it. The Mu control Tokyo, and the citizens are in effect cut off from the entire rest of the world, and are led to believe that the rest of the Earth has been destroyed. The barrier has a time-dilation effect, and time passes much more slowly inside Tokyo-Jupiter.

Although RahXephon is usually placed in the mecha category of anime, its mechas aren't mechanical at all. They are referred to as "Dolems", a name which is derived from the first three notes in music, Do-Re-Mi. Dolems are made of clay and are animated by an unknown force resembling magic. Further, each Dolem is controlled by a pilot, and the pilot is bound to the Dolem. When a Dolem is destroyed, its pilot is killed as well.

The underlying theme of RahXephon is one of music and sound. Dolem pilots are referred to as "instrumentalists". Each of the Mulian Dolems has a name like "Alegretto", "Falsetto", or "Crescendo". The ultimate goal of the RahXephon is to "tune the world".

Influences

RahXephon has many references to the Mayan culture. The Dolem's control system appears to consist of the pilot wearing a helmet shaped like a face from a Mayan sculpture [1]. Also, the cities of the Mu contain artwork that appears to be Mayan in origin. Even the leader of the Mu is named Maya. This is probably not coincidential since the series draws many of its references from James Churchward's 1931 novel The Lost Continent of Mu, a story about an advanced ancient race from a large island in the South Pacific which had sunk, similiar to the legendary continent of Atlantis.

Comparison to other Anime

Many fans compare RahXephon to Neon Genesis Evangelion, usually favorably, especially as regards the proactive nature of RahXephon's protagonist and the clearer nature of RahXephon's single ending. But there are also negative comparisons by some. Some say that since RahXephon came out after NGE, the similarities in the respective protagonists functions on the shows, have accordingly damned it to copycat status.

Cultural commentary

The impermeable barrier between Tokyo and the rest of Japan with the Tokyo-Jupiter effect might be interpreted as representational of a perceived cultural barrier between the urbanized, seemingly more Westernized primate city of Tokyo and the comparably more rural and traditional rest of the country.

This analogy would make the Mu into a representation of the Japanese view of Westerners from just before the Meiji Restoration to the reconstruction following World War II: similar anatomically except for a few minor variances, an invading force, both militarily and culturally, an initially technologically superior enemy that causes the Japanese (or in RahXephon, humans) to require rapid advancement in military technology, and a scapegoat used to inflame nationalistic (or in RahXephon, non-Mu) jingoism.

The Dolems

Allegretto - A Dolem that defends the capital of Japan. It has large bird-like wings and resembles a humanoid female figure. It is able to produce a shield.

Fortissimo - A humanoid female figure who resembles a tuning fork. It attacks with high frequency soundwaves.

Forzando - A Dolem that is 3 miles long and acts like a floating fortress. It carries Dotems inside of it which can be launched out to attack. It has functionless legs which are easily destroyed by RahXephon. It's upper body was hidden in the clouds.

Dotem - 82 feet mobile weapons carried by Forzando.

Sforzando - A Dolem that grew from a crystal found in Forzando's remains. It resembles a porcupine made of ice. It assimilated with Sayoko and was able to control the weather. It turned TERRA HQ into a snow storm.

Ritardando - A 951 feet Dolem that appeared in the Aurora Borealis. It appeared 14 years ago and destroyed 8 cities in Australia, killing many people. By studying the song pattern it emits, the good guys were able to find out what its next targets were. After unsuccessfully trying to absorb RahXephon, it went on a suicidal rampage and shattered.

Larghetto - A 328 feet Dolem that fought RahXephon above the Pacific Ocean.

Falsetto - A 393 feet tall Dolem that resembles a mushroom. It attempted to swallow RahXephon.

Vivace - A bird-like Dolem. It engulfs RahXephon in its wings and phases Ayato to Tokyo Jupiter, disabling most of RahXephon's abilities.

Arpeggio - Appeared in orbit above Nirai Kanai. It was so far up that none of TERRA's forces could attack it. It emmitted a D-1 Aria that only Ayato and Quon could hear. It sent them a message from Maya. RahXephon shoots it down with an arrow generated from its palms.

Alternate - Two Dolems who, at first, appeared as one. While split in two, it encased Ayato and Elvy in what appeared to be an alternate dimension. After killing it once, RahXephon turns back time, bringing it back to life. It is defeated once again by Vermillion.

Vibrato - The most human-like of all the Dolems. It resembles a girl wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Obbligato - A humanoid Dolem that has sharp claws on its hands.

Largo - 1.6 miles. The largest of all the Dolems. It's underbelly works as a giant beam weapon and can obliterate entire cities. It is defeated when it is encased in a barrier similar to the one that encases Tokyo Jupiter.

Staccato/Metronome - Accompanies the high-ranking officials at Hiranipra. It's head can swivel.

Mezzoforte - 56 feet. Appears in large numbers and can crush fighter jets.

Grave - The first Dolem encountered outside of Tokyo Jupiter. It resembles a squid with a blubbery body and tentacles.

See also

• Ramune - The soft drink that Ayato is unfamiliar with but encounters after leaving Tokyo Jupiter.
• Yoko Kanno - The composer of the theme song.

External links

• Official Japanese website
• Official English website