ACCA: 13-KU KANSATSU-KA

DESCRIPTION

CAST

SPECIAL DramaACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka Specials
MANGA DramaACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka
OVA DramaACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka - Regards
ONA MysteryAcca-kun no ACCA Kouza

REVIEWS

• 

  CodeBlazeFate

  63/100
  Close but no cigar. Fitting, really.

  You never heard of a dark horse? The term comes from the dark horses in horse racing. They aren't the popular ones that most people will bet on, but they automatically catch at least a few eyes willing to give them a chance, and low and behold, they do surprisingly well in the race, sometimes even winning. Given how bleak this season has been for most people, this seemed like one of those surprising shows that could've been one of the best of the season, but, as the saying goes, "close but no cigar". Fitting, really.

  Paragraph 4 contains mild spoilers for ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka. Proceed with caution

  ACCA is an interesting show. Produced by Studio Madhouse, this is an adaptation from a manga. Ultimately, this show intrigued a lot of people, myself included. Some people will definitely see his as the dark horse of the season, but I don't entirely agree. There are strong cases to be made why this show was interesting and why it was boring, but we'll get to that. But why the polarization? Isn't this series slick as hell? Well...

  To a decent extent, the story is meticulously written in terms of creating a mystery full of twists and turns. It all surrounds Jean Otus, a man working for ACCA that is currently doing audits while the prince of the nation is not only coming of age but is ready to succeed the throne. Problem number 1 is that the story really dead its feet with nothing to truly hook us for more aside from hoping that it will all explode into a chaotic and flavorful conclusion towards the final act; it doesn't. It's understandable why this turns people off, as the show feels uneventful. Two, some of these twists were both obvious and poor. The final antagonist was one of the royals whom we had never even heard of until 2/3 into the series, with two of the ACCA 5 Chief Officers being antagonists with their own separate plot. If you're anything like me, you suspected the two that turned out to be antagonists, and there was only 1 other person to remotely suspect, who isn't involved, but there could've been more flavor to the mystery by giving reason to suspect more people.

  So, because Jean was suspected of being involved in an upcoming coup, his friend, Nino, is sent to spy on him, but then it's revealed that he is next in like to be king, which is why the rumor was created, in order to get the 13 districts on his side during his audits. Sounds fine and dandy, and for most part, it is, including the somewhat rushed backstory of Nino, Jean, and his sister, Lotta. It's thanks to that that the aunt of the family wants them dead, as well as the dickheaded prince himself. As for the finale, it was ok. It was interesting to see the whole coup resolve peacefully but with more twists, but there was no reason for the aunt to suddenly abandon her plan.

  Tell me, who do you remember besides Jean and Nino? Probably nobody because these characters are mostly dull and one-note. Jean is pretty listless, by it is nice seeing him get flustered over his crush/superior Mauve, though that fades quickly. He also smokes...a lot. Just like on older times, in this anime, smoking is a sign of wealth and he gets misconstrued because of it, particularly when confronted by Rail, who acts like an ass around him and likes his sister. Nino is a slick guy, even in spy mode, but he's merely ok. Mauve, Lotta, and Gossular are merely ok, and most of the characters are boring, like prince Schwan, the aunt, the spoiler manipulator in the 5 Chief Officers, and each of Jean's subordinates and audit companions. We could've easily spent a bit more time about the characters but instead, we chose to do more audits and see the main 3 eat apple pie and drink alcohol. Like the plot, the interesting potential really fizzes out, which is a shame.

  To this day, I'm not sure how to feel about the art-style. However, what is something I'm sure of is that the series is clearly not in 24FPS. The animation is rather choppy, making it feel like the series runs at only 16 frames per second instead of the minimum required 24 for everything to feel like they're in constant motion. I'm not sure if this is an artistic choice, but I don't think it works. I at least like the hair and food detail, as well as the detail in the casino lights in episode 8. The OP has amazing artistic flair to the way it looks, and the ED has another type of interesting art that is actually more fluid than the entirety of the actual series, which is kinda sad the more you think about it. After all, you'd probably expect better from Studio Madhouse since Studio DEEN did more fluid and striking animation with their also more methodical and realistic series, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. Thankfully the mediocre CGI is insanely minimal to the point where most people would find it nonexistent, even if some of the character faces are actually incomplete in the final episodes and the background characters often fit move in scenes.

  The OST is pretty nice and fitting, especially the jingle at the beginning and middle of episode 1. It fits the calmer, more lax and methodical nature of the series perfectly, preventing me from really getting bored, but that didn't stop some people from boredom. The OP, "Shadow and Truth" by ONE III NOTES is pretty cool, with surprisingly good J-rap and a great female singer (even during autotune sections). There's a reason people say this is one of the best OPs of the season, it's pretty freakin' slick. As for the ED, "Pale Moon ga Yureteru (ペールムーンがゆれてる)" by Aira Yuuki, is a pretty alright theme meant for some bit of emotion after each episode. Not great but not bad.

  As for the dub, it's rather good. J Michael Tatum was in charge of ADR direction and we get some rather fitting boxes for many of the characters, especially Jean and Nino. It's weird to hear someone sound like Steve Blum without being Steve Blum, but that's been an issue in the dubbing industry for a good year now (where new actors sound like old ones, and this was exposed to be a major problem in the acting industry in Japan). It feels like the character art-style lends itself to both the dub and the sub rather well, and the dub worked just as well as the sub, at least for me.

  For the most part, I was pretty intrigued by the narrative, even if it did get a bit dull towards the end. The atmosphere was pretty enjoyable, and the OP was so damn good that I just wanna bob my head and snap to the beat every time. It was surprisingly enjoyable if a bit lacking in the satisfaction department. T'was a nice enough time, but there wasn't enough pizzazz to give real flavor to the experience, making it somewhat underwhelming. It's by no means a bad show, but there's no way in hell this'll be smoking the competition for any "best of winter 2017" lists, I'm sure. It didn't rise up high, but it was decent and slick while it lasted, so that's alright, I guess. With that said, I bid you adieu.

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• 

  Revisionary

  92/100
  The end result of tight storytelling and amazing visual direction.

  Many anime have extremely memorable styles that give it a visual punch, but few have achieved it to the level of this show. Without a doubt, “ACCA: 13 Territory Inspection Dept.” is one of the most stylish shows to have come out in recent memory.

  A YouTube commenter once noted that the show felt “very textured” visually and that it possessed a strong attention to detail in regard to “sensual things like hair, cigarette smoke, the countless food items, and the like.”

  Even if the plot may not necessarily appeal to many if not most audiences, the style that the animators use for this short series is nothing short of amazing and worthy of watching just on its own. That is not to say that “ACCA” is reliant on its strong visuals; the plot stands strong on its own and proves to be an intriguing ride from start to finish. However, had it not been for the captivating visuals present on-screen, this show would have likely not been as effective in giving the atmosphere needed for this type of show.

  Firstly, given that recent anime is typically an explosive combination of high-paced action and almost schizophrenic visuals, “ACCA” is an outlier in today’s anime market given its status as not only being extremely slow-paced, but also almost devoid of any action. Because the show is a political thriller, “ACCA” may come across as unappealing for many audiences. In fact, it could be arguable that had it not been for the fact this was animated the way it was, this show would have likely fallen off the radar completely.

  Taking place in a fictional kingdom divided into thirteen distinct states, the show focuses on Jean Otis, who is an officer who is in charge of observing and reporting activities back to his agency, the titular ACCA. While the adventures of a government inspector sounds rather unengaging, “ACCA” brings political intrigue into the mix as Otis begins to realize his role in the middle of a national conspiracy that threatens to change the entire country.

  Viewers entering this series should not expect any major action sequences. This is a show about political intrigue and maneuvering that is more like “House of Cards” then it is “White House Down.” As a manga adaptation, the show is extremely loyal to its source material, which was a political thriller in its own right. Audiences looking for an intense and high-octane experience will be disappointed.

  Even in its most intense moments, “ACCA” carries on its storytelling gracefully. In the kingdom of Dowa which Otis serves, political scheming is a very clean affair. When the end of the series approaches, all questions that the audience may have will be answered thanks to how tightly written the plot is. There are numerous characters that Otis meets throughout his journey, and almost all of them serve a purpose in the grand scheme of things. Aside from several comedy relief characters (which are a hit-and-miss in terms of their effect), “ACCA” never introduces new characters without them being relevant at the end.

  On the topic of relevance, “ACCA” also does not attempt to pad its plot in any way. As mentioned before, the story is very tightly written and it is clear that the author of its source material had a clear purpose in mind. As such, there are few moments where the story seems to be dragging along, and even though the pacing is admittedly slow, “ACCA” always moves forward at a consistent pace that gradually builds up to a satisfying and conclusive finale by the time the credits roll.

  This show’s plot is also tied heavily with its visual style. As mentioned before, “ACCA” would have likely not have been as effective of a show had it not been for the strong visuals backing it up. Many shows are carried by their strong visuals in order to cover for its weaker storytelling, but “ACCA” instead uses its strong visuals to complement its strong storytelling, which creates a more memorable and atmospheric experience as a whole. It’s a beautiful combination that makes for a stunning end product.

  That being said, the show is not flawless. While “ACCA” wraps up cleanly and delivers a satisfying conclusion, it does so in a way that’s almost too clean that almost seems like the result of an extremely fortunate set of circumstances. There are hardly ever any major setbacks in the plot that change the complete context of the plot save for one major twist near the end of the show. “ACCA” should be applauded for how fluid its plot feels with each passing episode. The show flows naturally and once audiences are hooked onto its main premise, it’s easy to lose track of time as each new development becomes more engrossing than the one before it.

  It should also be noted that while no character is useless, many of them come across as being somewhat bland. This is not to say that they are terrible characters, but it is to say that there isn’t really a single character in the show that really steals the show with the exception of main protagonist Jean Otis, who is characterized to be a rather reserved and enigmatic individual. It is hard to tell what he’s thinking at times given his lack of strong emotions, which can be quite problematic for some audience members who may not be used to a protagonist like him. “ACCA” is more plot-driven than character-driven, which unfortunately results in a case of somewhat unmemorable characters.

  To conclude, “ACCA” is a stunning political thriller that capitalizes on its well-written plot and brilliant visuals. While it arguably falls short in the characterization of its key characters, the show is nonetheless a strong anime that will likely stand up to the test of time. Audiences looking for a slow-paced show with plenty of intrigue and mystery will find this to be an amazing experience.

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• 

  deli000

  80/100
  ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka is a mature show with style.

  ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka is a mature show with style. Concerned with politics and culture, it delivers a steady story filled with mystery while also being wrapped with a relaxed atmosphere. Driven by an interesting assortment of characters and stylised by its colorful and vibrant animation, ACCA'S lack of explosiveness is replaced with all the right amounts of flair.

  Enter Jean Otus, an inspector in the ACCA Inspection Department, an aloof individual tasked with helping ACCA preserve the peace of the show's world. Along the way, conspiracies are shared, mysteries are hinted at, and somewhere along the line, Jean gets involved in a political mission that's much more than what it seems.

  ACCA's story is straightforward in its premise but clever and thoughtful in its execution. This is elevated with the likable cast of characters that have their own quirks that serve to create interesting interactions and dialogue as the plot thickens and mysteries are revealed. The vibrant animation helps in creating a relaxed and chilled aesthetic even when the more serious scenes take center stage. The way it balances both serious drama and its relaxed comedic moments is smooth, feeling realistic in a way that fits naturally into the show's concept. Given that most of the show is structured in a seemingly episodic fashion, the overarching plot at play is still given its needed focus while also allowing time for the audience to breathe. Even with the mystery aspects in mind, which are intricately presented and executed, there is still a lot to enjoy from the show's quirky sense of humour. It also makes the show's ending that much more fulfilling.

  The portrayals of all the various districts that Jean visits throughout the course of the show are properly realised in a brief but thorough manner, giving each place their own personality and distinct culture that sets them apart from each other. A lot of this is due to the animation which does a great job at executing the look and feel of the different districts. Given the various introductions to different places, ACCA has a very fun and comfy road-trip vibe that doesn't overstay its welcome and presents the viewer an interesting new setting to take in in the world of ACCA. A lot of what makes ACCA so unique and fresh is not only from its politically driven story and interesting characters, but also with its powerful and bright way of incorporating visual imagery and creating a wonderful overall setting with its animation.

  While ACCA does lack in giving fully-realised characterization, its characters still fill their role as interesting personalities, with its main duo being extremely likable and entertaining to watch. Jean and Nino make for the perfect partners, relaxed and aloof, and their interesting personalities establish a likable pair to invest in. The rest of the characters are also great in their own way, and even while a lack of screentime - especially with an anime that is only 12 episodes long -, may hurt the story, ACCA does a great job in handling its characters in a way that doesn't leave them underutilised.

  ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka is a show with style. A political mystery filled with likable characters and an equally captivating story, wrapped with a blanket of colorful animation, it delivers in its own unique way. And I loved every bit of it.

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