ndavis - 2017-06-09 21:54:27

Star Driver is a show that is more entertaining than it has any right to be. In 2010, scriptwriter Yoji Enokido embarked on a new journey in familiar territory. In Star Driver, the influences of shows that Enokido previously worked on, such as Ouran Highschool Host Club, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Sailor Moon, and even Evangelion, are are bright as day. The final product is a show that crosses existing boundaries in strange ways, the end result being something between a mecha anime for girls and a magical girl anime for boys.

As expected of Enokido, the story of Star Driver is one that can be appreciated on multiple levels. At its most basic level, Star Driver is about a teenage boy, Takuto Tsunashi, with an infectiously positive personality who ventures to an island off the coast of Japan in order to find his father. On this island, Takuto, who reveals himself to be “the Galactic Pretty Boy,” finds himself caught in a series of mecha (or Cybody, as they’re known as in the show) battles that take place in an alternate dimension, known as Zero Time, against other teenagers, who make up a group known as the Glittering Crux, with the purpose being to protect, or destroy, the Cybodies of the island’s shrine maidens, which upon their destruction would allow Cybodies to be used in the real world. The series tends to follow an episodic “villain of the day” format. Some viewers may dislike the episodic nature of the series, but it’s this structure that allows us to know the cast much better, and the moments that break the formula become all the more impactful for it. Although the Glittering Crux are our antagonists, they aren’t evil, just high school students struggling with growing up in their own ways. On top of that, the focus of Star Driver isn’t the Cybody battles, which are as beautiful as they are brief, just like how Utena wasn’t about sword fighting duels, it’s the high school students that pilot them and the inherent struggles of youth, with close attention paid to the phenomena of love. Like in Utena, everyday life segments that make up Star Driver vary in tone; some are as flamboyant and satisfyingly-ridiculous as those you would see in Ouran, while others take a dramatic turn. Ingrained in the story is the conflict of being born and raised on a small, isolated island; in such a setting. Character struggle to determine whether they have a duty to follow tradition or are free to follow their aspirations. On another, deeper, level, the story is about the experience of trios. Many characters of the cast make up their own respective trios of friends, and one of the most subtle but engaging aspects of Star Driver is observing how these trios differ. The dynamics and personalities in these groups cause them to experience different struggles, and seeing how they overcome the conflicts that arise as a result of their relationships is one of the most engaging parts of the series. The characters of Star Driver tend to be fairly well-written, although some are expanded upon more than others. The show has a very large cast, so some members of the ensemble are more-or-less deemed insignificant compared to their peers. Star Driver isn’t perfect. At times, the story and lore can be confusing, there is a fair amount of terminology, although it isn’t overwhelming by any means, and some things you may think are important the plot or lore of the series are ignored. The ensemble cast may have been too large. But at the end of the day, Star Driver’s story is still comprehensible and the flaws don’t detract significantly from the experience.

The designs are great throughout the series. The designs of the characters are as vibrant as their personalities. The characters of Star Driver are birthed from a diverse color palette, and it’s interesting how the colors swap to fit the setting, such as the bright colors during school-life scenes or the darker purples during Glittering Crux scenes. The costumes of the Glittering Crux in particular are pretty cool. When it comes to mecha anime, however, the designs of the mecha are vital. In this regard, Star Driver is quite unique. Some viewers may be put off by the slender frame of most of the Cybodies, which differ heavily from those found in Gundam. However, I found the designs very refreshing and visually-appealing. That’s not to say there are some weird costumes and Cybodies, but they’re easy to overlook given how strong the other designs are, and if anything, they not-as-good ones will make you laugh (like the torso-sections of the costumes of a certain duo that appear in the later half of the series).

Star Driver is produced by Bones, so it’s not a surprise that the animation is well above what you would expect from most anime. The animation is generally very good. Lines are clean and movement is fluid. Cybody fights in particular are beautifully animated, even if they are short. Because of the show’s episodic nature, animation does get reused. Typically, before a Cybody fight begins, the viewer will see about 50 seconds of the same footage in which the “villain of the day” enters their Cybody and Zero Time opens. During part of this sequence is some noticeable CG, but it isn’t there for very long and the anime is generally pretty free from the intrusion of noticeable computer-generated animation outside of some effects to make Zero Time more unearthly. Also, even though this sequence is formulaic, it is nonetheless exciting, as the different pilots will change the sequence slightly, and throughout the series these sequences are accompanied by great music with vocals. The animation for some of Takuto’s attacks also gets reused, as well as the sequence in which Tauburn, the name of Takuto’s Cybody, enters Zero Time, as well as that in which he transforms into the Galactic Pretty Boy, although they are animated so beautifully I can’t fault them for getting their mileage out of these sequences. I never got tired of them, but their status as recycled is noticeable to any observer.

Sound is a category in which Star Driver excels, whether you are speaking about the voice acting or music. Miyano Mamoru does a fantastic job as Takuto, but it doesn’t stop there. The most important members of the cast are also voiced by talented individuals. The soundtrack for the series is also great. Each of the 4 maidens has their own song which they sing throughout the series. The songs do a good job of hyping up the viewer for the battle that immediately follows. The non-vocal background in the series is also quite good. Not every song is memorable, but they never detract from the experience and convey the tone and atmosphere of the scenes they accompany very well; they blend in very well. Star Driver also has fantastic opening and ending sequences. The songs chosen do a good job of enhancing the animated scenes they accompany, particularly the openings which are fantastic. The great opening sequences really embody the energetic and youthful nature of Star Driver.

In short, Star Driver is entertaining and engaging because of how these different components come together. It isn’t a perfect show, and some may be turned off entirely from decisions like the episodic formula, reused animation, or Enokido’s writing style, but for others, Star Driver will be a show that will resonate with their souls just as strong as masterpieces like the Tatami Galaxy because the elements may combine in a way that turns out to be exactly what the viewer wants from an anime, as it did for myself.

dayana.considine - 2017-01-11 08:07:27

lack of character development, the story was kinda hard to follow, really boring to sit threw. this animu is not worth yo

amelie.borer - 2015-01-31 06:20:54

Star Driver is one of my favorite anime ever. Period. (It alternates being my first or second depending on how I'm feeling that day.) I spend inordinate amounts of time recommending it to friends and pretty much anyone who will give me half an opportunity.

But every time I do I feel compelled to tack on a disclaimer. I know it's cheap to preface by saying "It's not for everyone" when you're recommending something to people, but Star Driver always struck me as being a little different. I've met a handful of people who are head over heels for this series, and it seems like for every one of them, something just immediately clicked. Right from the word "go," the characters, the story, the themes, all of it just falls into place immediately for some people. Some people just get it. Not everyone does.

Star Driver is the perfect example of the whole being much greater than the sum of its parts. The plot is a common point of complaint, probably because, oddly enough, it's not what the show is actually about. Star Driver is a thoroughly character-driven story. The show doesn't hold your hand when it comes to the plot because that's not where it wants your attention to be. More often than not, the plot seems to be something that's just happening in the background, an echo of the things happening in the foreground.

What Star Driver does want you to focus on are the beautifully complex relationships between the characters. Every single one of them, from our central Galactic Threesome, to the Glittering Crux divisions who in any other show would be written off as villains of the week, have multifaceted and interconnected interactions with each other. Many characters have known each other their entire lives, and I believe it from watching them interact; the unseen history is palpable. Our protagonist is a newcomer, and the other characters’ changing impression of him from distrust to respect to admiration to love and everything else and in between feels no less real.

Adding another layer to these relationships for many characters is the fact that Star Driver is a story about sex. The creators knew what they were doing when they started throwing the word “libido” around like confetti, and the protagonist’s espousing of embracing and making the most of your adolescence isn’t for nothing either. The myriad ways relationships change throughout adolescence are on full display here, and the show doesn’t shy away from the more sexual urges of teenagers in addition to emphasizing the romantic, platonic, and familial relationships between various characters.

The show is also remarkable from an aesthetic standpoint. A lot of love went into the look of this show: the colors are vibrant everywhere you look, the environments and backdrops are all stunning, especially the skyscapes. The character designs are distinctive and convey a great deal of personality, and the animation is fluid and detailed, especially in the fight scenes.

And the music is kickass. There’s nothing else to add to that.

hugh.cartwright - 2014-09-27 17:25:59

I thought I was going to get a Slice of life with cute boys and sweet mechas, but what I got was a clusterfuck of a story that went nowhere. 

dibbert.ray - 2014-09-03 01:02:35

trantow.makayla - 2014-07-12 05:25:16

Great: Animation, Soundtrack, and Story. If you don't follow the plot you really are missing out. It's a great summer anime as well. Our dimension takes a pause Saved by the Bell style so everyone's favorite Galactic Prettyboy can keep seals from being broken. I loved going on an adventure with Takuto and his friends and you'll love it too!

brittany.considine - 2014-04-10 17:19:03

Star Driver...hmm how can I describe such an anime as this. Well For starters it has mechas, then it has a great seiyu cast, the animation was pretty well done, even if it was unnecessarily repetitive at times (like the transformation sequences for example) The story is watered down so much that it loses any type of flavor it had at the beginning, with characters appearing and disappearing when the plot calls for it, you loose track of everything that goes around that little island this is based in. It seemed that the writer would just pull tricks out of a hat and give you a little taste of what was supposed to be a plot to then add an unnecessary mecha fight in every single episode. Overall it was a bit disappointing. My problem is that I always have to see an anime through the end,maybe by any chance it redeems it self in the long run. Hoping that this would be the case is what kept this anime alive for 25 episodes... just to have that "give me the time I spent back" type of feeling. I mean really? But I digress. If you have time to spare and are a fan of Miyano Mamoru and the rest of the cast then go ahead and give it a try. But you have been warned the plot here is a bit nonexistent.

henry.fay - 2013-08-14 15:03:31

Star Driver is an anime with high production quality but lack in characterisation and story telling. This show really surprises me with the first episode. It turns out to be completely different from my expectation. This is like Gurren Lagann mixes with a little bit of Evangelion and some Free. Yes, some Iwatobi Swim Club: Free. The following picture should explain that.

Star Driver story is set in an episodic format, each episode there's a new enemy and the fight will get harder and harder until the finale. Its like Ultraman or Evangelion without the bullshit at the end. The difference is, instead of fighting monster, they fight other robots. When the characters are not busy fighting, the story switches to everyday school life format, where there is romance, drama and comedy. I prefer the everyday school life part, thankfully the fighting scene is the minority of the show. It's not because the everyday school life part is good, instead it is the fighting part that is bad because of its predictability.

+ The positive:

• 1. Fun
• 2. Good drama

-/+ The neutral: (base on perspective and opinion)

• 1. Episodic format
• 2. Like Gurren Lagann, it's "fuck logic"

- The negative

• 1. Predicable during the fighting scene
• 2. Many unexplained part
• 3. Bad pacing

There are quite a lot of fan service in this show

OOPS! wrong service

Here :)

The animation was done by studio BONES, who brought us Darker than Black, Ouran High School Host Club, Fullmetal Alchemist and others. BONES has a good reputation of creating great action scene and Star Driver is no exception. In fact, Star Driver might be one of BONES best work in term of animation. I will leave the character design to your opinion. I will only say one thing; WTF is up with those HAIRs?

+ The positive:

• 1. Colorful
• 2. Smooth
• 3. Sharp
• 4. Good colour contrast
• 5. Action scenes are well done
• 6. Good 3D graphic

-/+ The neutral: (base on perspective and opinion)

• 1. Character design, especially those hair
• 2. Mecha design

- The negative

• 1. Lighting could be improved
• 2. Repetitive move
• 3. The animation around episode 15-20 are not as good as before and after
• 4. Shadow quality could be improved

The transformation scene is pretty. I think

The sound play a major role in the series, the Maidens (four important female character in the show) often sing before the battle start or in special circumstances. All of their songs are very enjoyable and the show won't be the same without those songs. The background soundtrack support the situation and atmosphere quite well. The OP theme is not that good and personally I think it doesn't go well with the show. Both ED themes are really good but I prefer the first one. The first ED theme really fit the atmosphere of the trio perfectly, while the second one fit the show as whole. A special mention to Mamoru Miyano (our mad scientist) portrayal of Takuto.

"It's a pinch!" - Takuto Tsunashi. I love that line

DAT ENGLISH (reminds of Steins;Gate)

+ The positive:

• 1. The Maiden's song
• 2. The first ED theme
• 3. Mamoru Miyano
• 4. "It's a pinch!". I just love that

- The negative

• 1. OP theme
• 2. Forgettable background soundtrack

Sorry, I couldn't find the first ED theme. Star Driver's second ED theme "Pride"

My favourite Maiden's song "Monochrome"

The protagonist of the show is Takuto Tsunashi, a mysterious boy who can control a unique and special cybody (the robots name) named Tauburn. Other main characters are Sugata and Wako who later become a trio as best friends. There's not much character development for Takuto and Wako but I can notice some big changes in Sugata. The side characters all have a lot of characters development; almost all of them change into a whole new different person but of course in a good way. A special mention to Wako, as she is my favourite character in the show and one of my favourite shorthair female character. Her only flaw is how indecisive she can be, but that is understandable consider her situation.

+ The positive:

• 1. Side characters
• 2. Good development for the side characters
• 3. Characters interaction are fun

-/+ The neutral: (base on perspective and opinion)

• 1. Wako

- The negative

• 1. Typical main character
• 2. Little development for the main characters

WAKO! Sorry if you're a Wako hater

I didn't really enjoy the show at first, because I need to get used to the episodic format of the show. The first thing that I enjoyed are the maiden's song and probably the most enjoyable factor of the show. After around 5-6 episodes, I start to get the pace of the show and then I started to enjoy the characters more as I understand them better. It's a show that gets better overtime but the bad start left a big hole for me.

Star Driver is a show that depends on it's production quality rather than the story and character itself. The animation is the best thing in this show. If you are looking for an anime with great animation, Star Driver is what you're looking for. I personally don't recommend Star Driver but if you have free time, feel free to stream it online rather than buy it.

"When what you want to do is what you have to do. You can hear the voice of the world"

- Takuto Tsunashi

lillie00 - 2013-07-15 18:34:50

Star Driver: Takuto Of The Radiance reminded me a lot of Code Geass mostly in how their graphics compare to each other. The story is pretty interesting and the comedy is a great change of pace in between episodes. As you've probably come to expect, romance does bloom between the Mc and female lead but as always, there's other girls competing. The fight scenes are plentiful so don't worry about fillers, only pure storyline here. All in all, it was enjoyable.