In Clevatess, a dark fantasy anime produced by Lay-duce, humanity is hemmed in on all sides, surrounded by the nations of the Dark Beasts. In an attempt to expand mankind’s horizon, 13 heroes are sent to challenge Clevatess (Yûichi Nakamura, To Be Hero X), one of the four Lords of the Dark Beasts. When the heroes are defeated, Clevatess sets out to decide whether humanity deserves to live or if it should die, crushed under his feet.
The judgment that stands at the center of the season’s 12 episodes is handled in a surprisingly deep way. Despite Clevatess’ utter disdain for virtually everything human, he consistently comes across as an impartial judge of the elements of human society and individual behavior he encounters. His analysis brings an unforgiving edge to it as he explores the human world.
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Fiction has often used the concept of the “stranger in a strange land” trope to explore the faults of society. However, Clevatess takes the idea a step further thanks to the nature of its male lead. Due to his near godlike power, Clevatess does not have to hide his feelings for fear of reprisal. While he does strive to keep a reasonably low profile, he does not possess a nature that can keep him from speaking his mind. This helps drive his observations home, as well as utilize another trope he falls into.
The main character, Clevatess, falls into the overpowered protagonist trope.
As is all the rage these days, Clevatess falls into the overpowered protagonist trope. This can be a significant limitation on narrative tension, as powerful characters like these can undermine any sense of danger. However, like other series that manage to utilize this trope effectively, this show skirts around that problem. This series manages it thanks to Clevatess’ utter indifference to most around him. If humans want to butcher each other, why should he lose sleep over it? This side of the series is left to his co-lead, Alicia (Haruka Shiraishi, Blue Box).
One of the heroes who fails to defeat the Lord of Dark Beasts in the opening episode, Alicia’s life is restored by her former foe, so she can help him navigate the world, as well as care for a human child he has been entrusted with. Her perspective on the tragedies and trials their party faces is far different than his, creating a great duality between the two.
Alicia’s arc is a powerful one as she learns about the secrets of her world. The truths behind the traditions of Heroes shake the foundations of her world. But like other great female protagonists, Alicia faces these revelations with her convictions, as she forges her own path forward. Even as those who once praised her as a Hero turn on her in the wake of what has happened, she alone chooses how she should face her evolving world.
The arcs in Clevatess that unfold frequently reveal humanity at its worst, while also offering glimmers of hope.
Both protagonists are deepened by the strong voice work that brings them to life. Nakamura layers Clevatess’ disdain and indifference with a frequent hint of amusement. As if he is the sole observer of the cruel joke he finds humanity to be.
By contrast, Shiraishi provides a powerfully earnest voice to Alicia. When the character has had enough and speaks her mind through a dramatic proclamation, she does so with a voice that would cause even heaven to pause and take note. But Shiraishi also provides an excellent range for Alicia’s voice, as she can just as skillfully deliver a whispered sentiment or a hushed prayer from the often-struggling hero.
Woven between the dual leads is a narrative of betrayal, brutality, and blood. The various arcs that unfold frequently reveal humanity at its worst, while also offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkest moments. Whether it be Alicia herself that brings this light to the story, or one of the series’ supporting characters, it feels genuine, even if the darkness generally seems to far outweigh its counterpart.
While Clevatess sports heart and narrative depth, it wouldn’t be a grand fantasy adventure without action.
One genuinely surprising element in Clevatess‘ world is the implementation of magic. This classic fantasy element is new to this world. Having the concept of mages be established, but still evolving in a setting, is an intriguing twist, especially since their nature is even a mystery to the Lord of Dark Beasts, despite his seemingly tremendous magical properties.
Allowing magic to be a mysterious thing that is being innovated on allows an often-taken-for-granted fantasy element to be compelling. Magic even seems to have a functional basis for it, almost like a science. With hints that the nature of magic will feature even more prominently in later stories, one hopes that the series can deliver on the fantastic groundwork it sets here.
While Clevatess sports heart and narrative depth, it wouldn’t be a grand fantasy adventure without action. Despite not being the central focus of the series, the animation goes all out when the swords are drawn. Huge, blood-soaked attacks rip enemies to pieces, and fantastic beasts roam battlefields, creating a sense of scale and grandeur to the conflicts. The harshness of the battlefield is never lost for even a single moment, as even victories are tinged by the cost they incur.
The first season of Clevatess builds out its world, explores its cast, all while crafting a compelling narrative.
Even as every fight shines, the combat is always at its best when Alicia takes the field not only for the levels of skill and power she wields, but for how she draws all the elements of the series together. When she takes the field, all the emotion and pain of the narrative infuse a battle. Her sword is not just an extension of her physical self, but expands beyond to encompass the convictions she refuses to relinquish.
Clevatess delivers an incredible opening season. It builds out its world, explores its cast, all while crafting a compelling narrative that only grows until it culminates in a fantastic spectacle of an ending—an excellent experience for any fan seeking complexity in their fantasy adventures.
Clevatess is streaming now on Crunchyroll.
