The anime’s first season sets strong foundation
NOTE: This a review for season one the “Claymore” anime and contains spoilers.
The 2007 anime “Claymore” follows Clare, a warrior of the mysterious organization which hunts shape-shifting monsters known as Yoma. The titular warriors are the only ones who can stand up to the Yoma, as they are created by being implanted with Yoma flesh, giving them superhuman abilities. If they use too much, the monstrous side of them takes over.
The series begins with Clare coming to a town to kill a Yoma. There, she meets Raki, a young boy whose parents were killed by the monsters. Clare starts off being cold, appearing emotionless, but after being followed by Raki, he soon makes an impression on her and she begins to enjoy his presence.
Over the course of 26 episodes, Clare encounters other Claymores and she begins to uncover secrets hidden from the warriors by the organization they serve, and she faces continually stronger opponents. The anime features solid animation and action sequences, along with plenty of gore and violence. Here are three reasons the anime’s solid first season deserves a sequel.
Introduces complex, driven characters
“Claymore” presents characters who have clear motivations which drive the action. Starting with Clare, the series reveals the reason that she became a Claymore was to grow powerful enough to slay the Awakened Being who killed Teresa of the Faint Smile, the Claymore whom Clare had grown attached to in the past.
Clare begins the series depicted as a half monster with no emotion. After she meets Raki she begins to soften as she forms a bond with the young boy. The two are put through a lot during the season’s first half, but Raki plays less of a role later on. It is later revealed that Raki is just like Clare when she was younger, as she also met and grew attached to a Claymore, the former No. 1 Claymore named Teresa.
The series also presents Priscilla, the former No. 2 Claymore who transformed into an Awakened Being and killed Teresa. Priscilla is shown to be unstable, indoctrinated by the organization she serves, and she hates Teresa for her betrayal, driving her to lose control and to become an Awakened Being.
Various other Claymores are introduced during the series, and they all have differing personalities and motivations which drive them. Clare comes into conflict with one in particular, Ophelia, who has bloodlust for Awakened Beings, and can smell that Clare has partially awakened.
Of all the characters, Raki is least interesting during the season, as he is only interesting through his relationship with Clare. He is interestingly driven to protect Clare, even though he has no fighting ability and Clare is multiple times stronger than him. Though unable to physically protect her, Raki does have the ability to calm Clare and prevent her from losing control and becoming an Awakened Being.
Sets up interesting world
The series does a great a job of worldbuilding. Viewers are exposed to the world and how it works through most of the episodes, and “Claymore” shares just enough for the story, but also leaves some things as a mystery to be revealed later.
The prime question the series never answers is what exactly are the monstrous Yoma and where did they come from. The Yoma are always present, and they are accepted as just a normal part of life in this world. The series never answers where the normal Yoma appear from.
The most mysterious aspect introduced in season one is the powerful organization the Claymores work for. The non-Claymore agents who are shown throughout the season leave viewers wondering what the Organization’s true agenda is, and what they are trying to hide from the Claymores, as shown when Clare and three other women discover that the Organization may have been sending Claymores they found to be problematic to face a powerful Awakened Being to get rid of them.
The series set up a full, well-developed world which would be ripe for more exploration in another season.
The ending
The series is often criticized for its ending, but the place it ends is the natural conclusion to the season’s overarching story, which was for Clare to finally battle the being she’s been seeking for revenge. The season leaves the series in an interesting place, as the main cast of Claymore warriors decide to leave the Organization and go their separate ways.
The season ends by tying up just enough to properly conclude the main storyline of the season, but also leaving plenty of material for future seasons.
“Claymore” is a compelling action drama which is driven by its characters. Though some characters are less interesting than others and it introduces perhaps a few too many questions left unanswered, the first season is solid beginning which sets a great foundation to be continued.
Rating: 8/10
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