Crest of the Stars Volume 1

Having been described by Beez’s DVD cover-art as a “faithful adaptation of a classic epic of Japanese science fiction”, I had high hopes for Crest of the Stars and despite looking slightly dated (the character designs are typical of the late 90s era), it may well live up to this billing. Straight faced science fiction has been on a bit of a vacation lately, so it’s with great pleasure that I can recommend this as an immersive and dramatic series that (if these first four episodes are anything to go by) is full of fantastical ambition.

There are two distinct threads that run parallel through out these episodes of Crest of the Stars. First things first, we are introduced to a future in which mankind has found a new source of energy and hence has been able reach beyond our solar system and begin to colonize other planets.

Years pass and a new group of humans emerge with a bang. They are the Abh- genetically engineered space dwelling peoples who possess senses and technologies more attuned to living in space. The Abh are forming an imperial empire, aggressively invading human planets in an attempt to control known space. There are many other interesting facets to the Abh biology and lifestyle (like how they live for 200+ years), but for the purpose of this review, that’s all you need to know for now.

Jinto Lin’s story begins when the huge Abh Empire invades his home planet Martine. His father (Rock Lin) is the Prime Minister who has to do a deal with the Abh. Eventually Rock agrees to surrender Martine provided that he and Jinto will become Abh nobility. Naturally this announcement doesn’t go down too well the people of Martine (many of whom would rather fight) but it’s too late to do anything, the Abh take control of the planet and the Lin family flee amid heated accusations of selling out.

Jinto is but an innocent boy through out all of this and in the end is sent away for 7 years to learn about the culture and the language of the Abh. We join the story with Jinto at the end of these studies; ready to enrol in the mandatory Abh military academy. This is but the beginning of an adventure in which he befriends the beautiful princess Lafiel and becomes ensnared by a time soon to be enveloped in war.

I’ve just spent four paragraphs explaining the opening episode of Crest of the Stars and still there are things I’ve had to leave out. This is a series for fans of real science fiction, a story with such endless depth and detail that all goes into fleshing out a fantastical universe rife with social and racial tension.

This could easily be boring if not for lead characters Jinto Lin and Lafiel. Not yet tainted by racism or experience, we see everything unravel through their innocent perspectives. It’s fairly obvious that humans hate the Abh, but through Jinto’s unique upbringing (essentially, he’s been adopted as an Abh prince) we get to see that perhaps the Abh aren’t the monsters they are made out to be. His bonding with Lafiel is touching and sweet, neither of them are arrogant or sarcastic, rather they are genuinely interested in each other and talk together as only great friends can. The way they discuss their cultures, share ideas and crack jokes is wonderful to watch.

There is a marvellous epic feeling pervading this entire story. “Epic” is an over-used word but if it’s applicable to one series, it is Crest of the Stars. This is a story that concerns not only a few people, but an entire race, planets are invaded and bombed, giant fleets of spaceships patrol the stars and space travel has reached unimaginable speeds. It’s easy to invent a name for new race of humans, but the Abh have a unique look, language, culture and writing. It’s rare to find a series so rich in detail and its perfect escapism, switch this on for one hour and forty minutes and feel yourself dragged into the adventure.

For a TV series produced by Gundam pioneers Sunrise back in the late 90s, the animation is fine. Of course the character designs have the unique flavour of that time, but it’s detailed in the right areas- the stars, the skies and the planets all look wonderful. This is a show full of beautiful landscapes. The soundtrack is a revelation in that it captures the big epic feeling perfectly, it’s the kind of music I would expect to accompany say the birth of the universe, big brass orchestral melodies.

In Summary

Crest of the Stars has long been loved by science fiction fans and it’s easy to see why; an epic story intertwined with touching friendships, this is a series full of adventure, depth and beauty that makes an immediate impression.