Land of the Lustrous Review/Analysis: Minerals and Buddhism (Mild Spoilers)

This is a preview of my review/analysis of the 12 episode anime series, Land of the Lustrous. You can find the full version on my Patreon account. At the moment, it is Patron exclusive content, along with other series I'm reviewing once I've finished liveblogging them. The full liveblog is on my Tumblr. 

Late last year, an animated adaptation of a little-known manga series came out, and it made a big impression. The series utilises CG animation in a unique fashion and has a character-driven story that's striking in its depth and detail. Produced by the up-and-coming animation company, Studio Orange, Land of the Lustrous builds a strange and fascinating world. The narrative built around it, stands-out for its creative art direction and sweeping storytelling.

Land of the Lustrous takes place in a world where humans no longer exist, and instead, beings based on a different gem or mineral live in a tight-knit community. They are hunted by beings called Lunarians and are split into fighters and administrators. They Lustrous' role in life is often determined by their level of hardness.  

The youngest Lustrous, Phosphophyllite, or Phos has a hardness of only three and a half, making her the weakest and therefore limiting their options. However, after meeting an outcast Lustrous named Cinnabar, they become determined to help them, and as a result, starts a long, difficult journey of change. 

Based on a manga series Haruko Ichikawa, this twelve episode anime paces itself out far better than most adaptations of long-running manga. Even though the anime creates an expansive world with many mysteries to uncover, it never feels rushed or awkward. 

Ichikawa discussed how to adapt the story within a short time frame with director, Takahiko Kyogoku. Haruko took part in the story development and ensured that the series struck explored some key concepts while still leaving hints about the central mysteries. (1)

This more thoughtful approach to adapting a work from another medium is rare and makes the series a joy to watch. The mangaka and anime crew put far more care into every aspect of this adaptation than most manga to anime adaptations. 

The visuals complement, even enhance the storytelling on a thematic and emotional level. The original manga uses a simple art style that contrasts black and white to create a sense of ambiguity. Anime isn't a medium where ambiguity fits as well. So Takahiko Kyogoku and the animators decided to use a lush colour palette to convey a certain feel to the audience. Read the full article here.