An anime TV series, Netflix Exclusive

I needed a break from sports anime and decided to check out a 2019 show on Netflix that had a cool cover image and an intriguing premise. Ultramarine Magmell (aka Gunjō no Magmell) is an anime series based on a Chinese manhua (comic) created by an artist named Dainenbyo. I’ve always felt like I’ve been sleeping on animation from China, and learning about Magmell’s origins only heightened my curiosity. A lot of popular donghua (the term for Chinese animation) tends to be in 3D CGI, so seeing a traditionally animated adaptation produced in Japan felt like a unique opportunity.

The story takes place in a world where a mysterious new continent, Magmell, suddenly emerges from the ocean, promising endless wonders including exotic creatures, rare resources, and untold mysteries. Naturally, adventurers from all over flock to explore its secrets (and hopefully get rich), but the land’s many dangers often call for the expertise of specialized rescue professionals known as “Anglers.” The series follows one such Angler, Inyo, as he braves Magmell’s hazards alongside his assistant, Zero, rescuing others while unraveling the mysteries of this perilous new frontier.

Inyo and Zero make for an interesting pair of main characters as they navigate life as “Anglers.” Taking a clear cue from film noir detective stories, the duo constantly struggles to stay financially afloat. The show kicks off with Zero explaining to Inyo that they’re out of food and on the verge of losing power, only for a client to walk in at just the right moment, promising a much-needed payday. There’s also a humorous tension between Zero and any female client, as she often fixates on their physical attributes (particularly large busts), further reinforcing the show’s homage to classic noir tropes.

Thus begins the somewhat episodic adventures of Inyo, who secretly possesses a rare ability known as “Lacht.” so-called “Lachters” have the unique power to materialize objects as long as they understand the object’s composition, as well as manipulate them through a form of telekinesis. Inyo frequently uses his abilities to generate massive waves of electricity from his hands, though he’s also shown pulling off more intricate feats, like repairing broken missiles seemingly out of thin air or producing martial weapons like swords. It’s inconsistent, but his powers sort of remind me of that the DC Comics character, the Green lantern. Zero joins him on missions as his tech specialist, who remotely controls a robot that aids Inyo on his missions.

One of the show’s shortcomings is its reluctance to deeply explore the fascinating concept behind these people with telekinetic powers. While the idea of Lachters is intriguing, the show only offers small breadcrumbs, leaving audiences curious but ultimately unsatisfied with how this powerset fits into the larger world. I saw a lot of discourse online with folks asking numerous questions about this, and since many have not read the original comic, most of it was left unanswered. I basically sought it out to see if there was more story there.

There’s also a notable shift in how the characters are presented at the beginning of the show versus later episodes. Initially, Inyo is portrayed as a stoic, badass character who is always one step ahead of his foes and exudes a no-nonsense attitude. However, as the series progresses, much of this tone is replaced with comedic hijinks. For example, Zero is seen trying to buy sexy clothes to impress Inyo, which takes up an entire episode. In another episode, the pair commits fraud on an arms dealer just to get a discount. The arms dealer recalls how he was forced to give discounts in the past as Inyo stepped on poop in the store, activated a “defective” grenade, almost got hit by a box and more. These antics often take over the narrative, shifting the show’s tone from action-driven to more lighthearted and slapstick. While these moments can be entertaining, I found myself missing the grounded and serious tone established in the earlier parts of the series.

Just when I was used to this comedic tone for the show, the pendulum swung the other way with the introduction of a main villain three episodes from the end. Another wild shift ensues moving the plot towards bleak depressing torturous events that involve Zero being trapped by her old “master”. It’s almost like this show is written by three or four different people and no one collaborated with each other. The shifts all felt jarring and left me wishing the show had maintained its initial balance of intensity and intrigue.

Now that I got the bad stuff out of the way, let’s focus on its strengths. Ultramarine Magmell boasts intriguing character designs and compelling concepts, even if they aren’t always fully realized. The music is a particular highlight, often evoking traditional Chinese classical themes, which adds a unique flavor to the series. The opening theme is especially fun and sets the tone well. Visually, the art direction shines during action scenes, with Inyo’s abilities standing out as refreshingly unique. They avoid many of the overused shonen battle tropes, giving these moments a distinct style. This show is packed full of potential to evolve into something truly special, unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, it struggles to maintain its footing and ultimately veers off course, and sadly I don’t think it will have a chance to change.

Unfortunately it appears that this may be all of this show that will be made. As of now, there’s no official word on Ultramarine Magmell being outright canceled, so that’s good. However, the anime adaptation aired its 13-episode run from April to June 2019, and while the original manhua by Dainenbyo concluded its “first part” in September of that same year, no additional chapters have been released since (as far as I can tell). There hasn’t been any clear announcement about plans for a second season or whether the series is definitively done. For now, both the anime and manga seem to be in limbo.

Ultramarine Magmell is a show full of untapped potential, blending an intriguing premise, and unique character designs. While it begins with a strong, noir-inspired tone and an engaging mystery surrounding its “Lachter” powers, the series falters as it shifts into a more comedic, episodic structure that undermines its initial promise, then a depressing finale. Despite its inconsistencies, Magmell delivers solid action sequences, a fun musical score, and creative concepts that set it apart from standard fare. Although it doesn’t fully realize its ambitions, the show remains an interesting watch for those looking for something different, leaving viewers to wonder what it could have been with more consistent storytelling. Ultramarine Magmell, as it stands, is a missed opportunity and ends up simply average at best.