Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

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Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
甲鉄城のカバネリ
(Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri)
Genre
Anime television series
Directed byTetsurō Araki
Produced by
  • Yuka Okayasu
  • Yōhei Shintaku
Written byIchirō Ōkouchi
Music byHiroyuki Sawano
StudioWit Studio
Licensed by
Original networkFuji TV (Noitamina)
Original run April 8, 2016 – June 30, 2016
Episodes12 (List of episodes)
Manga
Illustrated byShirō Yoshida
Published byMag Garden
MagazineMonthly Comic Garden
DemographicShōnen
Original runMay 2, 2016 – November 5, 2018
Volumes4
Anime film
  • Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress - Part 1: Gathering Light
  • Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress - Part 2: Burning Life
Directed byTetsurō Araki
Written byIchirō Ōkouchi
Music byHiroyuki Sawano
StudioWit Studio
Released
  • December 31, 2016 (part 1)
  • January 7, 2017 (part 2)
Runtime107 minutes (part 1)[4]
104 minutes (part 2)[5]
Game
Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri -Ran- Hajimaru Michiato
DeveloperTriFort, Inc.
PublisherDMM Games
Directed byJunpei Kasaoka
Music by
PlatformAndroid, iOS
ReleasedDecember 19, 2018
Anime film
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato
Directed byTetsurō Araki
Produced by
  • Yuka Okayasu
  • Wataru Hashimoto
Written by
  • Ichirō Ōkouchi[a]
  • Tetsurō Araki[b]
Music byHiroyuki Sawano
StudioWit Studio
Licensed byNetflix
ReleasedMay 10, 2019 (2019-05-10)
Runtime67 minutes[c]
icon Anime and manga portal

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Japanese: 甲鉄城のカバネリ, Hepburn: Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri) is a Japanese anime television series by Wit Studio. It was broadcast for 12 episodes on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block from April to June 2016. The series was streamed on Amazon Prime Instant Video service. Two compilation films premiered in Japanese theaters in December 2016 and January 2017. Crunchyroll and Funimation co-released the anime on Blu-ray and DVD in the United States; Crunchyroll also acquired the merchandise rights.

An anime theatrical film that is set six months after the anime series, titled Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato premiered in May 2019. A Netflix version was released as a three-part series in 2019.

Plot[edit]

A mysterious virus appears during the Industrial Revolution that transforms infected humans into Kabane (かばね, "corpses") and rapidly spreads. Kabane are aggressive, undead creatures that cannot be defeated unless the glowing golden heart, which is protected by a layer of iron, is pierced, or an important body part (such as the head) is completely severed. Unfortunately, most melee weapons and the steam-pressure guns used by the bushi (武士, "warriors") are not very effective against them.

On the island country Hinomoto (日ノ本), people have built fortress-like "stations" to shelter themselves from these creatures. People access the stations and transport wares between them with the help of fortified steam locomotives (駿城, hayajirō). One day, a hayajirō hijacked by the kabane crashes into Aragane Station and they overrun the city. A young engineer called Ikoma uses the opportunity to test with success his anti-kabane weapon, the "piercing gun" (ツラヌキ筒, tsuranuki zutsu), but is infected in the process, although he manages to resist the virus and become a Kabaneri (かばね人), a human-kabane hybrid. Assisted by Mūmei (無名, "Nameless"), another Kabaneri who appears to help them, Ikoma and the other survivors of the station board a hayajirō named Kōtetsujō (甲鉄城, "Iron Fortress") and depart to seek shelter elsewhere, fighting the hordes of kabane along the way.

Characters[edit]

Ikoma (生駒)
Voiced by: Tasuku Hatanaka (Japanese); Robbie Daymond (English)[6][7]
A young man who makes a living as a steamsmith at Aragane Station. He and his good friend Takumi developed a bolt gun–like weapon called a piercing gun in order to defeat the Kabane. He is very intelligent and a great craftsman, even going as far as to invent and create a piercing gun with enough strength to break the metal cage around a Kabane's heart. When Aragane Station is invaded by Kabane, Ikoma is able to successfully test his piercing gun, killing a Kabane with the bullet and destroying the metal cage protecting its heart, but is unfortunately bitten in the process. He is able to prevent the virus from reaching his brain by blocking his carotid arteries, transforming him into a human/Kabane hybrid, a Kabaneri. After becoming a Kabaneri, his fighting prowess increases. He gains incredible strength and endurance, even shrugging off gunfire and being bitten by Kabane multiple times. Ikoma and Mumei often fight alongside each other against many Kabane and work exceedingly well as a duo. Ikoma makes a promise to Mumei to someday turn her back into a human as he failed to do so in his childhood for his sister. Ikoma is the male protagonist of the Kabaneri series.
Mumei (無名, lit. 'No name')
Voiced by: Sayaka Senbongi (Japanese); Janice Kawaye (English)[6][7]
A mysterious and anonymous[8] girl who boards the hayajiro Kotetsujo and appears at Aragane Station. She is revealed to be a Kabaneri as well as a very strong and agile fighter, capable of killing dozens of Kabane with ease. She became a Kabaneri through a surgical operation as the result of her brainwashing by Biba, making her believe unless she became stronger, she would also end up like her mother. Constant fighting can leave her sleepy and like Ikoma, she requires blood to stop herself from attacking other people. Her birth name is Hozumi (穂積) and she was named Mumei by Biba when he "saved" her as a child. She and Ikoma often fight Kabane together and make a great duo. She treasures Ikoma's promise to one day turn her back into a human, and over the course of the series, Mumei develops feelings for him. Mumei is the female protagonist of the Kabaneri series.
Ayame Yomogawa (四方川 菖蒲, Yomogawa Ayame)[9]
Voiced by: Maaya Uchida (Japanese); Veronica Taylor (English)[6][10]
The eldest daughter of the Yomogawa family, which governs Aragane Station. After her father is infected, she becomes the leader of the Aragane survivors. Despite her noble status, she's reasonable and understanding, even offering her blood to the Kabaneri. She is also an expert Archer using a steam powered bow. Ayame seems to have feelings for Kurusu, her bodyguard and friend who is around her age. She occasionally practices kendo with him, and Kurusu frequently blushes around her.
Kurusu (来栖)
Voiced by: Toshiki Masuda (Japanese); Jamieson Price (English)[6][11]
A young Bushi who serves the Yomogawa family as Ayame's personal bodyguard. Among Bushi his skill with a sword is considerable. He is usually somber and honest, and he maintains his honor as a Bushi. Despite initially resenting Ikoma, he eventually recognizes the Kabaneri's usefulness and also starts to respect him. He is later given a reinforced katana that can pierce a Kabane's heart with ease. Kurusu seems to have feelings for Lady Ayame, as he frequently blushes around her.
Takumi (逞生)
Voiced by: Yūki Kaji (Japanese); Ben Diskin (English)[6][10]
Ikoma's best friend and fellow steam smith, who helped him develop his piercing gun. Towards the end of the series, he is killed by Biba while protecting Ikoma.
Kajika (鰍)
Voiced by: Kanae Oki (Japanese); Colleen O'Shaughnessey (English)[6][11]
Ikoma and Takumi's friend and fellow steam smith. A friendly and warm-hearted girl takes care of the children that lost their families to the Kabane.
Yukina (侑那)
Voiced by: Mariya Ise (Japanese); Abby Trott (English)[6][11]
A crew member of the Kotetsujo. A stoic and taciturn girl who, despite being only an apprentice, becomes the Kotetsujo's engineer and driver out of necessity. She might have feelings for Sukari, which are implied in The Battle of Unato film.
Sukari (巣刈)
Voiced by: Ryōta Ōsaka (Japanese); Tom Gibis (English)[6]
A steam smith who lives at Aragane Station. Despite his aloof personality, he's a good mechanic and a decent fighter. He might have feelings for Yukina, which are implied in The Battle of Unato film.
Kibito (吉備土)
Voiced by: Kensuke Satou (Japanese); Kyle Hebert (English)[6][11]
A Bushi who serves the Yomogawa family. Unlike other Bushis, he's reasonable and even friendly to the Kabaneri. He and his fellow Bushi are later given reinforced bullets that can penetrate the Kabane more easily. He is also good friends with Kurusu.
Suzuki (鈴木)
Voiced by: Maxwell Powers (Japanese); Elijah Ungvary (English)[11]
The train's chief mechanic who has hair like a 17th-century wig and speaks with English phrases. Also serves as the narrator for the series' episode previews.
Biba Amatori (天鳥 美馬, Amatori Biba)
Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano (Japanese); Roger Craig Smith (English)[6][11]
The Leader of the Hunters (狩方衆, Karikatashū) and the eldest son of the shōgun. Charismatic, ruthless and manipulative, he inducted Mumei in his philosophy of strength superiority, where the weak don't deserve to live and should not even have the will to. He greatly resents his father for abandoning him and the 400,000 men he sent to fight on the front lines by essentially starving them of supplies. This made him develop his philosophy, making his purpose from that point to kill his father and show him how weak his fear made him. To do that he intends to destroy the Kongokaku (the shōgun's stronghold) using artificially created Kabaneri, and the blue blood he developed, making artificial hybrid colonies when injected with huge destructive power.
Horobi (滅火)
Voiced by: Aya Endō (Japanese); Cissy Jones (English)
A Kabaneri member of the Hunters. She is turned into a Black Fog (黒煙, Kuro Keburi) by Biba in order to destroy the Iwato Station, only for the virus to go out of control and mutate her even more. She only stops at the sight of Biba at which point he callously murders her.
Uryuu (瓜生)
Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa (Japanese); Chris Niosi (English)[12]
The Captain of the Hunters, who serves under Biba Amatori.
Kageyuki (影雪)
Voiced by: Shin-ichiro Miki (Japanese); Kyle McCarley (English)[13][14]
The erstwhile Lord of Unato Station. Five years before the Battle of Unato, he shared a close and loving relationship with his daughter, Miyuki. However, when the station is attacked by the Kabane, he is infected with the virus, but he becomes a Kabaneri instead of a full-fledged Kabane. He is surrounded by soldiers threatening to shoot him; he asks his friend, Unmo, whether he is a man or a Kabane. Miyuki tries to stop the soldiers from shooting her father, only to be mistakenly killed. A devastated and enraged Kageyuki goes on a rampage and brutally murders the soldiers in the room. Unmo escapes, but Kageyuki bites his daughter's corpse, wanting her to come back by any means necessary, turning her into a Nue. The Nue forms a nest around the Unato Castle, keeping Unato trapped in a perennial battle against the Kabane.

Media[edit]

Anime[edit]

See also: List of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress episodes

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress was directed by Tetsurō Araki and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi,[15] with music by Hiroyuki Sawano and original character designs by Haruhiko Mikimoto. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV's Noitamina block from April 8 to June 30, 2016, with a total of 12 episodes.[16] A prologue for the anime premiered for a week in theaters across Japan starting March 18, 2016.[6][17] Amazon streamed the series on their Amazon Prime Instant Video service.[18] Two compilation films premiered in Japanese theaters on December 31, 2016, and January 7, 2017.[19] Crunchyroll and Funimation co-released the anime on Blu-ray and DVD in the United States; Crunchyroll also acquired the merchandise rights.[20][21]

An anime theatrical film that is set six months after the anime series, titled Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato (甲鉄城のカバネリ 〜海門決戦〜, Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri: Unato Kessen), premiered on May 10, 2019.[22][13] A Netflix version was released as a three-part series in 2019.[23]

Films[edit]

See also: List of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress episodes § Films

Three feature length anime theatrical films were released between 2016 and 2019. The first two films, which are recaps of the first and second halves of the TV series, premiered in Japanese theaters on December 31, 2016, and January 7, 2017. The third film, titled Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato, takes place six months after the events of the TV series and revolves around the Battle of Unato. It premiered on May 10, 2019.[24] The Battle of Unato was streamed internationally on September 13, 2019, as a Netflix original consisting of three episodes.[25][26]

Other[edit]

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Shirō Yoshida, was serialized in Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Garden magazine from May 2, 2016, to November 5, 2018.[27] Mag Garden released four tankōbon volumes from December 10, 2016, and December 10, 2018.[28][29]

A mobile game developed by TriFort, Inc. and published by DMM Games titled Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri -Ran- Hajimaru Michiato (甲鉄城のカバネリ -乱-, lit. "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress -Revolt- Beginning Tracks") was released on December 19, 2018, for Android and iOS, featuring an animated opening sequence by Wit Studio.[30][31]

Music[edit]

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Hiroyuki Sawano
ReleasedMay 18, 2016
GenreSoundtrack
Length1:17:45
LabelAniplex
Producer
Hiroyuki Sawano soundtrack albums chronology
Seraph of the End: Battle in Nagoya Original Soundtrack
(2016) 		Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Original Soundtrack
(2016) 		Thunderbolt Fantasy Touriken Yuuki: Original Soundtrack
(2016)
Singles from Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Original Soundtrack
  1. "KABANERIOFTHEIRONFORTRESS"
    Released: October 8, 2016
  2. "Warcry"
    Released: October 8, 2016

The soundtrack was composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and was released by Aniplex on May 18, 2016.[32] The opening theme is "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress" by Egoist and the ending theme is "ninelie" by Aimer with chelly. For episode 11, the ending theme is "Through My Blood <AM>" by Aimer.[33]

Track listing[edit]

All music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Original Soundtrack
No.TitleLyricsVocalsLength
1."KABANERIOFTHEIRONFORTRESS"cAnON.Eliana5:18
2."Warcry"
  • Benjamin
  • mpi
mpi4:14
3."KGK"  5:23
4."JAnoPAN" mpi4:35
5."Through My Blood"cAnON.Mika Kobayashi4:14
6."noname"  4:39
7."88城"  4:35
8."VIVALABIBA"  4:00
9."ComeBack音"  7:15
10."Next of Kin"
  • Benjamin
  • mpi
Benjamin3:27
11."araganeekiNo@8女"  4:38
12."克JOU気MACHINE甲"  6:57
13."Grenzlinie" ("Borderline")RieCyua4:56
14."Ktetsu上-abdli"  3:38
15."1coma" Mika Kobayashi5:33
16."icon"cAnON.Eliana4:23
Total length:1:17:45

Reception[edit]

The series won the 2016 Newtype Anime Awards for Best TV Anime, Best Soundtrack, Best Character Design, Best Screenplay and Best Studio.[34] At the Crunchyroll's inaugural Anime Awards, it was nominated for nine categories including Anime of the Year.[35]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Series Composition (シリーズ構成)
  2. ^ Screenplay (脚本)
  3. ^ According to the home video release of the film, it is 67 minutes in length. Netflix's three-part release includes both opening and ending credits for every "part", which extends its runtime to 83 minutes.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Moody, Allen (January 6, 2020). "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress". THEM Anime Reviews. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  2. ^ ダークファンタジーまとめ. Akiba Souken (in Japanese). Kakaku.com. February 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress - The Spring 2016 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. April 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018. The director for this new post-apocalyptic steampunk series is Tetsuro Araki, the same man responsible for adapting Attack on Titan and Highschool of the Dead. — Theron Martin
  4. ^ 甲鉄城のカバネリ 総集編 前編 集う光(2016). allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  5. ^ 甲鉄城のカバネリ 総集編 後編 燃える命(2017). allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Attack on Titan Team's Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri Anime Trailers Reveal Premise, April Premiere". Anime News Network. December 17, 2015. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress English Dub Stars Robbie Daymond, Janice Kawaye". Anime News Network. November 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 4, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "Japanese-English translation :: Mumei :: Dictionary". Archived from the original on June 13, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  9. ^ "ノイタミナ『甲鉄城のカバネリ』、来年4月放送! キービジュアル&PVを公開 _ マイナビニュース" (in Japanese). December 18, 2015. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  10. ^ a b @Funimation (October 28, 2017). "Just revealed at Kumoricon: the first two English voices for #Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress! Veronica Taylor (Ayam…" (Tweet). Retrieved October 29, 2017 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Anime's English Dub Adds 4 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. November 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  12. ^ @Kirbopher (January 15, 2018). "Out tomorrow on Blu-Ray, you can hear me as "Uryu" in the English dub of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress! I know, a b…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ a b "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato Film's Promo Video Reveals May 10 Premiere". Anime News Network. March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  14. ^ Tetsuro Araki (2019). Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato (Online). Netflix. Event occurs at Closing credits, English Version.
  15. ^ "Attack on Titan Team, Code Geass Writer Make Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  16. ^ "Blu-ray&DVD 「甲鉄城のカバネリ」公式サイト" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 22, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  17. ^ Chapman, Paul (December 18, 2015). "VIDEO: It's Trains vs. Zombies in "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress" Trailer". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  18. ^ "Amazon Prime to Stream Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Anime From Attack on Titan Team". Anime News Network. March 14, 2016. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  19. ^ "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Gets Theatrical Compilation Editions". Anime News Network. June 30, 2016. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  20. ^ "Crunchyroll to Dub Release Anime on BD/DVD". Anime News Network. July 1, 2016. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  21. ^ "Crunchyroll and Funimation Partner to Expand access to Anime". Crunchyroll. September 8, 2016. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Unato Kessen Sequel Anime Film Revealed". Anime News Network. March 8, 2018. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  23. ^ "Netflix Adds Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato Anime Film on September 13". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Mantan Web:Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: A new theater version of "The Kaimon Decisive Battle" produced Story of a half year after TV animation". March 8, 2018. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Zekjiri, Admir (August 24, 2019). "Netflix Announced that Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato is Coming This September". Manga Thrill. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  26. ^ "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  27. ^ "Shirō Yoshida's Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Manga Ends in 3 Chapters". Anime News Network. August 12, 2018. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  28. ^ "甲鉄城のカバネリ 1巻" (in Japanese). Mag Garden. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "甲鉄城のカバネリ 4巻" (in Japanese). Mag Garden. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  30. ^ "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Browser/Smartphone Game Reveals Visual, Title". Anime News Network. March 2, 2018. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  31. ^ "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Smartphone Game Launches on Wednesday". Anime News Network. December 18, 2018. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  32. ^ "SVWC-70149 | KABANERI OF THE IRON FORTRESS ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK - VGMdb". vgmdb.net. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  33. ^ "Theme song in Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress 「甲鉄城のカバネリ」公式サイト" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  34. ^ "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Wins 5 Awards Including Best Anime". manga.tokyo. October 9, 2016. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  35. ^ "FEATURE: Crunchyroll Anime Awards - The Results are In! See Who Won!". Crunchyroll. January 11, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2023.

External links[edit]

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