Absolute Duo recently finished airing after 12 episodes, which can be streamed on FUNimation and Hulu. FUNimation recently started rolling out the English dub version, which releases every Monday, for premium members. The series is adapted from the ongoing Japanese light novel series of the same name, which is written by Takumi Hiiragiboshi and illustrated by Yu Asaba.
You should already know that FUNimation holds the North American regional license for Absolute Duo.
I didn’t know what to make of Absolute Duo, but the series had caught my attention because it had plenty of action. As a martial artist, who has knowledge in various styles, I would be doing myself a disservice if I did not check out Absolute Duo.
Absolute Duo does kind of have an interesting story, but there isn’t much to separate the series from other similar series. I find it funny because Absolute Duo reminds me of World Break: Aria of a Curse for a Holy Swordsman and The Testament of Sister New Devil, which should be wrapping up their first seasons in a matter of days.
It also reminds me of the anime series Invaders of the Rokujyoma and Is This A Zombie?, too.
There are major battles in Absolute Duo, but do not compare to the major battles that I have seen in the other named anime series. It is one of those battle-action series, where the male protagonist builds a harem of beautiful and dangerous female companions.
This isn’t different from World Break: Aria of a Curse for a Holy Swordsman or The Testament of Sister New Devil.
STORYLINE
The plot of Absolute Duo is cliched, but I didn’t have a problem with that.
It reminds me of the anime series Unbreakable Machine-Doll, which FUNimation also holds the North American license to. The main hero is Thor Kokonoe and Absolute Duo is told from his personal point-of-view (POV). He is one of a handful of humans, Exceeds, who can use the unique spiritual ability of Blaze.
Blaze is the embodiment of your soul and desires, which takes the form of a weapon.
But Thor’s Blaze takes place in the form of a shield, which makes him an Irregular. He is paired up with the foreign beauty, Julie Sigtuna, who hails from Northern Europe. Thor enrolls at Koryo Academy, where he confides in Julie that he seeks power to avenge the deaths of his loved ones.
Julie drops a bomb on Thor, too, that she has similar goals.
Absolute Duo focuses on the development of their bond as friends and comrades-in-arms. It doesn’t stop Thor from making friends with other people, but he slowly has a harem that builds up. He even gains the attention of English beauty Lilith Bristol, also an Irregular, whose Blaze manifests in the form of a long-range rifle.
I enjoyed the combat, but my biggest gripe is the pace.
There wasn’t really enough combat in Absolute Duo, which I was hoping to see. But I did find the major battles satisfying to watch. I’m guessing that Absolute Duo’s story is not completely focused on combat, where it focuses on developing friendships.
The bonds of friendships is the ultimate theme of Absolute Duo, where the combined might of many will overcome the might of one. I will admit that there are many points in the story, where I had to break out in laughter.
CHARACTERS
Bonds are the theme of Absolute Duo.
Thor reminds me of Moroha from World Break: Aria of a Curse for a Holy Swordsman, Inaho from Aldnoah.Zero, Basara from The Testament of Sister New Devil, and Raishin from Unbreakable Machine-Doll.
They share the commonalities of either protecting or avenging.
I found the aspect of a shield unique, which led me to correctly suspect that Thor’s deepest desire is to protect the people closest to him. Rhetorically asking, what better Blaze to manifest than a shield? This dynamic is interesting because it allows Thor to form a Duo with anybody because he will always have his teammate’s back.
Julie serves as the female heroine and Thor’s Duo partner.
She is an able combatant with a special dark destructive power, which erupts when angry. Julie, like Thor, wishes to avenge someone. They are bound together by the need to avenge and exact vengeance on those that hurt them.
I found it cute that she says “ja” and “nej” when saying “yes” and “no.”
There are other characters who caught my attention, too, such as Rito Tsukimi aka Professor Bunbun. I have to say that Bunbun cracks me up because of her split-personality. She acts all cute on one hand, but acts like a psychotic murderer on the other hand.
Professor Bunbun is perhaps the most unpredictable character in the series.
Lilith also caught my attention because Thor can somewhat relate to because they are Irregulars. She served as an effective foil to Julie, but accepts Thor’s decision. I love that Lilith refuses to give up, where she decides to stake her claim on Thor as a future spouse.
The girl does not know how to take “no” for an answer.
Miyabi got my attention, too, because she serves as the underdog of Absolute Duo. She is paired with fellow protagonist Tomoe Tachibana. I was surprised that Miyabi develops feelings for Thor, which plays a role near the end of the anime.
OVERALL
It was an interesting anime to watch, but there is plenty left to be desired. I have the feeling that a second series could be in the works, which I hope is the case.
I give Absolute Duo a B+.
