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Well~ Today is Day 2 of Animation Nation 2007 and I headed down to watch the screening of Freedom Project along with DarkMirage, Zero, Windbell and several others. Of course our very own Singaporean animator, Vong Yonghow, was there too and it was nice meeting him in person and speaking to him. You can check out more about him at his website.

So my impression of the show? Firstly… A general sypnosis about it before I go on…

In the year 2041, mankind created their first space colony on the moon. But after a freak cataclysm devastated human civilisation on Earth, the republic of the moon built a domed megalopolis known as Eden. Now in the year 2267, a boy called Takeru spends his time engaging in hover-craft races against rival street gangs, unaware that he is about to embark in the journey of unearthing Eden’s origin.

Freedom Project is a 6-part Japanese OVA series commissioned by Nissin Cup Noodles for their 35th anniversary in 2006, with Katsuhiro Otomo — the creator of Akira and Steamboy — serving as the character and mecha designer. The director of the series is Shuhei Morita, creator of the award-winning animation short Kakurenbo.The OVA is animated and produced by Sunrise and distributed by Bandai Visual. “Freedom Committee” is the collective term used for the entire creative team behind Freedom, which includes animators and production staff members who have previously worked on Steamboy.

I loved the OP sequence alot. It’s terrific and just the thing that I like. Blending in 2D with reality. The song “This Is Love” by Utada Hikaru is also fantastic and went well with the OP. I’m was stunned as the OP played.

The animation was good too. It was fluid and the art was nice. Each character had their own unique personality and traits. The pacing of the show was good too and what I loved about it is the plot twist in it. Best of all was the directing of it. Good job by the director! Best thing I loved about it was they got the blend in 3D with 2D very well and also some traditional style of OP. I like the implementation of the “manga strips” too. The whole 360 rotation view of it was cool too!

So yeah yeah~ Freedom Project’s story is so typical, cliche and all. So what? They have taken to it another level and it is really terrific.

Sadly there isn’t a second screening so I guess we’ll have to get it off Amazon Japan. It’s currently up to Episode 5 and 6 is under works. Hopfully there’s more!

And, I’m now eager to watch Episode 4. Argh!!!