Ep 1. End of the World

In the first episode of Casshern Sins, "End of the World," the viewers are introduced to a dystopian world which is on the brink of destruction. The episode opens with the protagonist, Casshern, waking up in the ruins of a city. Casshern appears to have no recollection of his past and is unsure of where he is and why he is there.

The episode establishes the lore of the world, where there had once been a robotic utopia populated by an advanced and advanced civilization of robots called "The Ruin," but after centuries, that utopia crumbled. The Ruin eventually perished entirely, and the robots in the world now live in various stages of disrepair, both mentally and physically. The robots have started to rust, and many of them are running out of energy, leading to their death. The episodes show the audience that the world is in a ruined state, with most of the land being a vast wasteland, laying the ground for the audience to understand the severity of the situation.

Throughout the first episode, Casshern meets various other robots. They all show fear and panic at the mention of his name, as he was rumored to be the cause of the end of the world. However, Casshern has no memory of what had happened and is unable to offer any solace.

The episode's pacing and world building are both strong points, and it accomplishes a lot in just one episode. The characters are established well, the ambiance is perfect, and the art style is fantastic. The animation has a beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic that gives the world a unique and distinct feel that separates it from other anime series.

The first episode of Casshern Sins sets up the central mystery of the show, which is the origin of the titular character and what role he played in the end of the world. The character designs are well done, with each robot having a unique appearance and personality. The show has a range of characters, from the more sympathetic robots who are struggling to survive to those who are malicious and cruel.

The sound design is remarkable, featuring a haunting soundtrack that sets the atmosphere for each scene. The opening theme song is also quite memorable, with its powerful lyrics and melody. The voice acting is well done, with all the actors portraying a wide range of emotions convincingly.

Overall, the first episode of Casshern Sins is a strong start to the series. It establishes the world, characters, and central mystery exceptionally well. The pacing is tight, and the art direction is impeccable. The audience is introduced to a world that is both bleak and intriguing, with the mystery of Casshern and his abilities driving the narrative forward. The series has plenty of potential, and it manages to hit all the right notes in its first episode.