Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers Review (Anime)
I have no shame in admitting that I wasn’t enjoying my time with Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers when it originally aired in 2015, but coming back to it after a few years and watching it in English has really changed my mind on it. I’m even considering reading the light novels!
Six people, known as the Braves of the Six Flowers, are chosen by the Goddess of Fate to fight the Demon God each time he arises. It’s always six people, so when seven people come together each bearing the mark of a chosen Brave, there’s only one logical conclusion – someone is a fake. Who could it be, and why? Adlet Mayer, the self-proclaimed strongest man in the world, hopes to find out as he fulfills what he’s always believed to be his destiny.
Although I already know who the traitor is from 2015, I had my suspicions very early on and I feel that the anime doesn’t do a fantastic job at hiding who it is. That said, not everybody is going to guess who it is and it does a good job at throwing a few curve balls your way, but it makes for a gripping tale where one of these characters – many of who you’ll likely become quite fond of – will sadly show their true colours by the end.
Animated by studio Passione, I’m surprised that this one didn’t receive a second season, especially as it was pretty popular when it aired. Character designs are fantastic and action scenes are thrilling thanks to each character’s own combat prowess and their unique abilities and tricks. I’d like to see more of it but sadly a second season is unlikely to happen now, but I am very interested in checking out the light novels which are currently being published in English via Yen Press.
I think one reason why I’ve enjoyed this more in English is because of small tweaks to the dialogue. Adlet isn’t as annoyingly boisterous and makes for a far more likable lead protagonist now, and each character feels more grounded without sacrificing how fantasy-heavy the series is.
The English dub features a bunch of brilliant voice talent including Robbie Daymond, Wendee Lee, Ray Chase and Kira Buckland, making Rokka a delight to listen to. I never really warmed to the ending theme, but the opening theme is great.
Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers‘ twelve episodes cover the length of the first light novel and so some may find it a little slow, but it’s a slow burn that steadily builds suspense as it reaches its climax. You’re expected to guess along with the cast as to who the traitor could possibly be, and it’s sure to surprise many.
It’s worth a watch, and I’m hoping it’ll be worth a read because this adaptation has done what it was made to do, and that’s to sell watchers on the light novel. It really is a shame that there’s no second season on the horizon, though.
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