Spring Anime 2014 (Part 4)

Title: Hitsugi no Chaika (Chaika the Coffin Princess)
Release Date: April 9, 2014
Studio: Bones
Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Premise: Based on the light novel series by Ichiro Sakaki. Toru Acura has lost all purpose in life, wandering the countryside in search of work. When he stumbles across Chaika, a coffin-toting, gun-wielding wizard, Toru and his sister, Akari, join Chaika on a quest that will affect the whole land.

Verdict: From the opening scenes, I found myself drawn into this world and its fantasy/steampunk atmosphere. The show is a heady mix of swashbuckling swordplay, magic rifles, Victorian clothing and, interestingly enough, carnivorous killer unicorns (more on that later).

After a brief monologue wherein our titular character is given a cryptic task that will set several things in motion, we are introduced to wandering worker-for-hire Toru Acura. A retired soldier who fought in the wars that led to the fall of the Gaz Empire prior to the series, Toru has lost all motivation after leaving the military. While scouring the mountain he calls home, Toru encounters Chaika, mistaking her for a rabbit. Their encounter is interrupted by the arrival of the aforementioned unicorn.

An entertaining chase and subsequent battle ensue, allowing Studio Bones to show off its prowess with slickly animated action sequences. Both Chaika and Toru display some visually impressive fighting styles, eventually triumphing over their not-so-cute-and-cuddly mythical prey. After a short trip into town and a humorous run-in with Toru's unemotional and hyperviolent sister, Chaika finally reveals her quest to the Acura siblings: the retrieval of a highly sought after magical artifact from the home of a local war hero-turned-aristocrat. Things head in an interesting direction from there, as the mark for the heist seems to be expecting unwanted visitors.

Hitsugi no Chaika is spinning an interesting thread so far, with intriguing characters and hidden plots aplenty. Keep an eye on this one if you like your fantasy violence mixed with a bit of mystery and intrigue.