Jormungand: Perfect Order

By: Robert Murphy

Good news everyone! Sorry I’ve been watching Futurama but there is good news for you all and it comes in the form of a review for Jormungand: Perfect Order. The second season to show picks up right where the show leaves off and finally digs deep into the shows story and all the lead up that we were left with in the shows first season. This was a really great feature for the Jormungand and that isn’t to say the first season wasn’t enjoyable but it left you with a lot to want from the show and a lot to want to expect and I wasn’t disappointed with what I received.

Now the story does take an initial lull to get the ball rolling but things pick up quite quickly as Koko Hekmatyar’s “plans” that are briefly hinted at in the first half of the show start to be revealed. In fact now more than ever Koko begins to shine and show her true intentions and the end game that she has insight for this terrible world of weapons dealers. The relationship between her and Jonah also becomes more and more complex as the story sends you through a number of twists and turns in this second half so much so that I’d spoil them if I got to into things which I have no intention of doing. Koko though is not the only one to hit her stride as a character, no in fact all the characters somehow become even more compelling as a group. For example, Wiley who is the teams expert on explosives gets a little bit of a back drop in one of the episodes and reveals that underneath the calm outer shell he usually presents himself with there is a truly gifted explosives expert to an almost scary level. Each character as I said gets even more love from me in the second half of the show especially Koko who reveals herself more and more and it terrifies me almost how she comes to be an unstoppable force in Perfect Order.

As for the action, you can’t really improve on what was already there for Jormungand and it is just as good in the second half of the show. I will say there is less of it though and it takes more of a back seat to the story but I didn’t mind that at all because I was so engrossed in what was going on. The solid musical score is also just as catchy as ever and usually pops up to make a gun fight ten times more enjoyable. Now as I said before I don’t want to spoil anything but I have to say that the ending was not what I expected of the show, it almost feels like they left in room for another season and wanted to continue the story but won’t be able to with what you’re left with because it would delve too far into science fiction.

All in all, I didn’t really have much to say different from my review of the first half of Jormungand because much of the show stayed the same except for the massive improvements to the storytelling element. Various twists and turns come up during Perfect Order and make you feel relieved by all the buildup you were waiting to be revealed. A few more characters enter the shows second half, some quite umm unique but the already solid characters that I loved and have seen got even stronger with these episodes. Koko Hekmatyar especially comes into her own, you knew she had something going on inside of her head and when people tried to get in her way during this season they truly regretted it, as one of the episodes points out in season 1, Koko is a dragon with claws and teeth that will devour you in an instant and boy I loved seeing it happen.

Good:

- The storytelling takes a big step forward and reveals so much that we were waiting for from season 1

- Action is pushed back a little bit but still very enjoyable

- All the cast continues to shine, even more so than they did before

- Koko really drives the story and watching all her plans unfold had me till the end

Bad:

- The ending itself was lacking and delves into a sci-fi area that falters it

Scully Rating: 8.8 out of 10 

Jormungand (Season 1)

By: Robert Murphy

Having recently purchased and begun to experience the joys of HuluPlus, I’ve been welcomed to a massive world of anime that I’ve wanted to watch for the longest time and now can watch with ease. An anime I stumbled across recently is Jormungand and it really struck me for two reasons; the action which gave me a very Black Lagoon type of feel to it and the second was it turned out to be from the same guys, small world right? The story follows the exploits of an abnormally young weapons dealer named Koko Hekmatyar and her team of mercenaries who protect her in her often dangerous dealings with warlords, war torn nations and other weapons dealers. The other main focus is the young boy solider Jonah who is the newest member to her crew of wolves in sheeps clothing and proves to be a perfect fit despite his appearance. What follows is a slue of adrenaline filled episodes with gun fights, incredible fights and kickass weaponry so strap yourselves in everybody.

An impression that I got from Jormungand as I watched it was that it was much like watching Balalaika as she controls her squad of highly trained forces and destroys anything in her way. That is just what it’s like watching Koko and her team throughout the show as each one of her team is exceedingly skilled in one way or another and would make you regret ever going after their boss. Although Koko herself isn’t nearly as intimidating as Balalaika she is definitely not a girl to be messed with even without her teammates as she is an incredibly gifted arms dealer and brilliant tactician when it comes down to it. As the story progresses we learn a good deal about each characters life and abilities that they bring to Koko’s team and they all prove to be quite engaging characters the more you learn about each of them. This proves to be true most with Jonah who you learn hates weapons dealers but has to use weapons himself and is really impressive with them as you see within ten minutes of the show as he takes out two armored jeeps with ease.

Now so far I may have made it sound like the show is nothing but non stop action but it isn’t, the story and episodes are evenly paced and wrap you up with a something new each time you go into it. It seems as if there is no shortage of people looking to take out Koko as she is a very gifted arms dealer but she does have her principles and will not be messed with. Whether someone is taking a hit out on her or an arms deal isn’t going quite as planned, things are always very heated and lead you to meet many characters throughout the series. Also we get a few back stories about Koko’s team especially Jonah who has had a hard young life that’s led him to being the way he is now. We get a good back story for many of the characters and one I particularly enjoy is Valmet’s who is the tall eye patched woman infatuated with Koko, extremely infatuated. An issue is that Jormungand has a lot of build up and a lot of shaping out for its characters and it makes you feel like there is so much more to come. Now before I close things out id like to give a tip of the hat to the amazing soundtrack that the show has for its viewers, its something I don’t usually notice or point out but it is so prominent and is filled with so many enjoyable beats I feel I had to mention it.

Jormungand proved to be everything I’d hoped it would be when I first saw the preview for it, characters are engaging, the actions incredibly solid, I just can’t believe I didn’t find out about it sooner. The story definitely makes you question whether or not there is any morality in the people that deal in weapons of war or are they all just in it for profit like Jonah believes or are there those like Koko that shake your perceptions up a bit. My one issue as I said was the amount of build up that there is in the first season, it makes me itchy and exited for what is right around the corner in season two.

Good:

Solidly paced and incredible story with very Black Lagoon style action

Characters are engaging and all have compelling back story to them

The soundtrack for the show is worth note as it’s edgy and catchy each time it comes up

Bad:

A lot of hashing out and building up for the second season

Scully Rating: 8.5 out of 10