Brain Powerd
Synopsis
In the not so distant future much of the earth has been submerged under the sea or destroyed by earthquakes. At the center of the turmoil is the mysterious Orphan. Orphan may or may not be the original cause of the cataclysms. Orphan's goal is to raise a ship hidden deep beneath the sea to the surface, but doing so would result in the destruction of all humans except for the small number which are loyal to Orphan. Orphan's agents pilot mysterious mecha known as Grand Cheres, and search the world for mysterious, giant disks which occasionally appear, flying at high speeds and wrecking much of the countryside, or cities, when they hit the ground. After a dying disc almost kills Hime, a Brain Powerd is born from the disc. Brain Powerds are another type of Mecha, similar to but not the same as Grand Cheres. Hime becomes the Brain Powerd's pilot, forming a symbiotic relationship with the living mecha and joins an International Organization dedicated to stopping Orphan, or at the very least saving humanity should Orphan succeed. (Source: AniDB)
Audience Consensus
Brain Powerd is a highly divisive mecha anime, drawing both strong praise and harsh criticism. While some appreciate its optimistic themes, complex characters, and Yoko Kanno's soundtrack, many find the plot convoluted, the characters poorly developed, and the animation subpar. The series is often seen as an unsuccessful attempt to emulate the success of Evangelion, resulting in a polarized reception among viewers.
Strengths
- Yoko Kanno's music is universally praised, a high point amidst criticisms.
- Some find the characters intriguing and the central themes thought-provoking.
- The series has an optimistic core, defending love against all odds.
Weaknesses
- The plot is convoluted, disjointed, and hard to follow, with terms and plot points appearing without explanation.
- The characters are underdeveloped, archetypal, and suffer from inconsistent motivations.
- The animation and art style are dated and uninspired, with awkward action sequences and bland mech designs.
- Some consider it an Evangelion rip-off with shallow and nonsensical writing.