Geneshaft | |
ジーンシャフト (Jīn Shafuto) | |
---|---|
Genre | Adventure, Mecha, Biopunk |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Kazuki Akane |
Music by | Akira Takasaki |
Studio | Satelight, Studio Gazelle |
Licensed by | |
Original network | WOWOW |
English network | TechTV/G4techTV |
Original run | April 5, 2001 – June 28, 2001 |
Episodes | 13 |
Anime and manga portal |
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Geneshaft (Japanese: ジーンシャフト, Hepburn: Jīn Shafuto) is a Japanesescience fictionanimetelevision series set in space, produced by Bandai Visual in 2001, and directed by Kazuki Akane (of Escaflowne fame). It was broadcast on the WOWOW network and was translated and dubbed into English by the anime television network Animax, who broadcast it from within its respective networks in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and around the world. Tubi TV later added the series.[1]
The story revolves around the voyages of the Bilkis spaceship across the Solar system, and its crew of genetically engineered humans, as they attempt to uncover the mysteries of an alien technology threatening to destroy the Earth, and whose nature may reveal the true origins and destiny of humanity in the late 23rd century.
The series is characterized by its exploration of the theme of genetic engineering, and the possible consequences of this technology dominating and defining future human society. It also contains a distinctive metal soundtrack with electronica elements (composed by Akira Takasaki), often featuring electric guitar solos at dramatic moments.
Featured as a central plot element is the 'Shaft', a Mecha with a peculiar appearance. Made entirely using CGI, this humanoid robot's design appears to resemble gray mechanical cranes, lacking appealing characteristics common to other Mecha, such as bright colors or even a 'head'.
Geneshaft is set in a future where genetic engineering has become the dominating technology, defining human society entirely. The government of Earth is totalitarian and as a result there has been peace for 200 years. The government is in control of human reproduction, and is in charge of all (artificial) births, as well as altering the genetic characteristics of every new individual, according to their function in society. One alteration common to all individuals limits their lifespan to 45 years, in order to limit the extent of aging so that they remain healthy and able throughout all of their adult lives.
People are largely rated by the quality of their DNA, and those whose DNA is relatively unrefined, such as those of the 'white' gene type, are generally considered inferior. In order to prevent irrational behavior caused by strong emotional attachment, family structures have been disbanded, and the emotions of love and lust eliminated. The ratio of men to women is 1:9, as it is considered that males are more aggressive than females, and this was part of what led past societies to destruction. Modern society is completely peaceful, the few men typically having leading-type positions, and commonly being of gene types that grant enhanced decision-making skills, while the females are in charge of lesser positions. Men are assigned Registers - emotionless, drone-like women - whose purpose is to document all actions a man takes, as men's DNA contains elements of destructive desires that cannot be eliminated, while acting as his assistant.
The story begins at the time when a 500 kilometer in diameter ring-shaped structure had appeared near the Earth five years prior. Dispatched from nearby Markanan space station, several female astronauts were about to investigate its nature when it produces a massive energy blast which destroys the space station and a large portion of the surface of the Earth, after which it disappears. This instigates the mobilization of a special group of men and women with specific genetic characteristics, who set out aboard the Bilkis spaceship to investigate the origins of the ring, and the possible connection with mysterious alien technology found in Jupiter's moon Ganymede.
During their voyages they encounter several instances of the Ring technology, which they fight with the giant mecha, called 'Shaft'. The technology of Shaft is mysterious and the mecha requires very special skills to be piloted. Along the way, they also encounter situations and people which make them question their nature as 'superior', and raise doubts about how 'perfect' their society really is.
On March 21, 2001, it was announced that Geneshaft would premiere on April 5, 2001 on the WOWOW network.[2] On October 2, 2003, TechTV acquired the broadcast rights to broadcast the series.[3]The opening is 'Shaft Drive' by Akira Takasaki/Ji-Zo while the ending theme is 'Broken Camera' by Ji-Zo. For episode 13, the ending theme is 'The Day Believe All Things' by Akira Takasaki. All episode titles are references to science-fiction books.
No. | Title | Original air date | |
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1 | 'Successors to the Stars' Transcription: 'hoshi o tsugu mono' (Japanese: 惑星(ほし)を継ぐもの) | April 5, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan. | |||
2 | 'The Ship Who Sang' Transcription: 'utau fune' (Japanese: 歌う戦艦(ふね)) | April 12, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey. | |||
3 | 'Rendezvous in Space' Transcription: 'sora no randebū' (Japanese: 宇宙(そら)のランデブー) | April 19, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. | |||
4 | 'The Sentinel' Transcription: 'zenshō' (Japanese: 前哨) | April 26, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Expedition to Earth by Arthur C. Clarke. | |||
5 | 'Angels and Spaceships' Transcription: 'tenshi to uchūsen' (Japanese: 天使と宇宙船) | May 3, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Angels and Spaceships by Fredric William Brown. | |||
6 | 'Hotline from the Past' Transcription: 'kako kara no hottorain' (Japanese: 過去からのホットライン) | May 10, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Thrice Upon a Time by James P. Hogan. | |||
7 | 'Ring World' Transcription: 'ringu wārudo' (Japanese: リング・ワールド) | May 17, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Ringworld by Larry Niven. | |||
8 | 'The Moon is a Harsh Lord of the Darkness' Transcription: 'tsuki wa mujihina yami no teiō' (Japanese: 月は無慈悲な闇の帝王) | May 24, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein. | |||
9 | 'Less Than Human' Transcription: 'ningen ika' (Japanese: 人間以下) | May 31, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after More Than Human by Theodore Sturgeon. | |||
10 | 'The Men Women Don’t See' Transcription: 'onna-tachi no shiranai otoko' (Japanese: 女たちの知らない男) | June 7, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after The Women Men Don't Seeby James Tiptree, Jr.. | |||
11 | 'Rite of Passage' Transcription: 'seichō e no gishiki' (Japanese: 成長への儀式) | June 14, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Footfall by Larry Niven. | |||
12 | 'A Gentle Man in Ganymede' Transcription: 'ganimede no yasashii otoko' (Japanese: ガニメデの優しい男) | June 21, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after The Gentle Giants of Ganymede by James P. Hogan. | |||
13 | 'Childhood's Beginning' Transcription: 'yōnenki no hajimari' (Japanese: 幼年期の始まり) | June 28, 2001 | |
Note: Episode title named after Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. |