Despite being regularly compared to hit anime series and getting great scores among reviewers, Claymore remains a relatively niche series in the world of shounen anime. Because of its dark fantasy setting and brutal action, fans have compared the series to Berserk, Attack on Titan, and many more of the best action anime.
However, despite the series’ positive reception, it’s rarely considered on the same level as those massive hits. As talk of a live-action Claymore adaptation begins to swirl, is it time to reassess this series’ place in the action anime canon?
Related
Claymore: The Edgy Shonen That Anime Fans Might’ve Missed
Claymore might’ve flown under the radar when it was released in 2007, but a more faithful reboot of the series might get it the love it deserves.
Introducing Claymore: A Violent World of Monsters & Hunters
|
Title |
Claymore |
|---|---|
|
Based on |
Manga by Norihiro Yagi |
|
Episodes |
26 |
|
Release Date |
April 4 – September 26, 2007 |
Claymore is a dark fantasy anime series set in a world ravaged by shape-shifting, human-eating demons known as Yoma. Humanity’s final defense against these beings are Claymores, human-Yoma hybrids that work as mercenaries for the mysterious Organization, traveling in isolation to wherever they are needed.
The majority of the story revolves around Clare, a Claymore who saves young Raki after his family is killed by a Yoma. With nowhere else to turn, Raki travels with Clare as she performs her work, learning about her origins and of a Yoma she’s sworn to hunt down.
The series is based on a manga of the same name by Norihiro Yagi, which ran from 2001 to 2014 and ended with a total of 27 volumes.
Why the Anime Leaves a Bad Taste for Claymore Fans
Despite being relatively niche in the casual anime fandom, Claymore is a huge name in the world of fantasy manga. Claymore was so popular domestically in its heyday that it even got a side-scrolling Nintendo DS game in 2009.
The anime started airing in 2007, a time when the manga was still being serialized and was very popular. As a result, there were likely some sizable expectations that the anime was always destined not to match.
Like some other notorious adaptations from the 90s and noughties, Claymore’s anime has a controversial original ending, largely due to the manga still being serialized. The Claymore anime adapts to around volume 11 of the manga – relatively early in the complete story – before creating its own ending in the final episodes.
The anime’s ending is a source of frustration for both new and old Claymore fans. The abrupt finish leaves a lot of questions unanswered and feels forced and rushed to some viewers.
Action Anime Standards Leave Claymore in the Dust
Many advocates of the original manga also comment on the quality of the anime’s production. While it was a decent production by the standards of 2000s anime, its dull color palette and less dynamic action sequences mean it can feel outdated when compared to other hit action series.
There are also some complaints about the quality of the Yoma designs in the series, understandable given the incredibly detailed artwork of the manga.
Claymore’s Timeless Story Still Attracts New Fans
“Because of the show’s ending and animation quality, Claymore will likely always remain the ‘next watch’…”
In some ways, the discourse around the Claymore anime is similar to that surrounding its spiritual cousin Berserk. Adored by manga fans and lauded for its 1997 anime adaptation, Berserk’s 2016 return was disliked by many of the original series’ supporters, particularly for its production quality. However, that new series also served to introduce many new fans to the franchise.
Anime’s Dark Fantasy Space Lacks Quality Series
Despite (or maybe because of) the popularity of shows like Berserk and Attack on Titan, there is a lack of quality non-isekai fantasy anime that deliver similarly brutal and deep storylines, making Claymore a natural addition to the watchlist. Looking beyond the Claymore anime’s debatable ending, the rest of the series delivers all the worldbuilding, character arcs and blockbuster action that fans of those major titles could want.
Because of the show’s ending and animation quality, Claymore will likely always remain the ‘next watch’ instead of one of those main gateway anime like some of its contemporaries. However, with the growing audience of anime every year, there are plenty more fans discovering the series all the time, which offers hope that this perennially underrated story will continue to have moments in the spotlight.
- Release Date
-
2007 – 2007
- Directors
-
Hiroyuki Tanaka
- Writers
-
Yasuko Kobayashi
- Franchise(s)
-
Claymore
