Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato

Six months after the fall of Kogakukaku, the Kotetsujo arrives at the besieged city of Unato.  A five year long campaign to retake the city from the Kabane is coming to a close and the Kotetsujo and her crew are key to the final push.  But there’s something different about the Kabane in this city.  There’s a force controlling them, calling to them, a force so powerful it even effects Kabaneri Ikoma and Mumei.  Within the lost Unato Castle, a dark secret from five years ago awaits the Kotetsujo crew, one that will test their bonds and resolve unlike anything before.

Despite it’s brevity (and heavy borrowing from its far more successful cousin, Attack on Titan), Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress was a fun and entertaining action thrill ride with good production value, tons of zombie slaying gore and a fun cast.  The ending, naturally, left a ton of questions unanswered.  And as I should have expected, the movie continuation, The Battle of Unato, delivers ZERO answers.  It does, however, offer more of the usual Kabaneri fun even if it doesn’t live up to its potential as a feature film.

The Battle of Unato feels like one of those excised stories that could have fit somewhere in the middle of the TV Series rather than an event worthy film.  Granted thxanks to Wit Studio’s cinematic approach to the show, Kabaneri always felt like watching a well paced action flick on the small screen.  But no real attempt is made to make the experience of Unato more unique on the big screen.  The movie is truly more of the same from the TV Series in a “if it aint broke don’t fix it approach”.  That’s a shame because there is potential all around, especially when it comes to the main villain.  Kageyuki’s origin are incredibly similar to Ikomas and if the two of them actually interacted, it could produce some great character building results.  Instead, Kageyuki is reduced to a near silent antagonistic role, popping off sniper rounds while his entire tale is told through the voice of others.  He was supposed to be the “Anti Ikoma” in a way.  Instead, Kageyuki fails to live up to the example set by series antagonist Biba, despite having the proper backstory and motivation for doing what he does.

Like I said though, just because the story and villain don’t succeed doesn’t mean there isn’t more of the usual Kabaneri experience to enjoy.  My complaints about Mumei being practically sidelined in the series finale mustve been heard because she is right at the front of the action again, doing what she does best with all that female Devil May Cry style.  The movie also gives time to her growing romance with Ikoma, showing some very important and life altering moments for the pair of Kabaneri who have fought through despair and loneliness to get to where they are now: an effective team trying to confess their feelings for one another.  The rest of the Kotetsujo crew is back as well…most of them anyway (Biba’s men peaced out at some point in the six month time skip).  Ayame continues to grow in her role as leader, heading up the charge against Unato castle against all odds with her trust bad ass samurai Kurusu at her side.  The Kotetsujo actually gets to see some action and another round against a Hybrid Colony in an action scene that somehow outclasses a previous fight from the series in every way.  If you’ve missed these characters and this action, you’ll be well treated, even if they all deserved far more.

Those wanting a true continuation of the Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress storyline will come away disappointed at The Battle of Unato being just a stand alone adventure with little progression.  From the story not living up to its potential to the villain being wasted and barely a threat in the end, the movie just doesn’t work enough with what its given.  Still, the characters and action are still there and still work extremely well.  This isn’t Season Two and hopefully if we do get it, Kabaneri will get the proper sequel treatment it deserves.

6.5/10