Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet - The Complete Series (English Dub)

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet - The Complete Series (English Dub), a captivating offering from Viz Media, is an intriguing dive into a sci-fi and fantasy-infused universe filled with suspense, adventure, and existential wonder. Originally aired in 2012, this animated series is a distinctive exploration of contrasting cultures, civilization's remnants, and the exploration of human values amidst alien conflict and technology-infused dystopian worldviews. This engaging series is covered in 13 episodes.

The series follows protagonist Ensign Ledo, a young and disciplined soldier trained for combat from a very young age, hailing from a distant human coalition known as the Galactic Alliance. Living in space, Ledo has known nothing but the confines of his futuristic spaceship, invested in planetary warfare with an alien race known as Hideauze.

Suddenly, an unexpected turn of events takes place. During a failed mission, Ledo and his autonomous robotic weapon, Chamber, are jettisoned into a wormhole that sends them hurdling through space, ultimately landing them on a watery mystery planet. That planet journey holds revelations and adventures for Ledo that he would have never anticipated.

Upon awakening on this unknown water-saturated planet, Ledo is astonished by the sight. The place, in stark contrast to his universe, is a planet covered in vast seas, expansive clouds, and lush greenery. Here, Ledo discovers the survivors of a forgotten human civilization who live on enormous fleet of ships, the Gargantia. Significantly, this is Earth, an entity thought to be mere folklore in his home galaxy.

As Ledo interacts with the Gargantia, constantly characterized by their bright colors and vibrant personalities, he encounters a vast array of characters that help him gradually integrate into the community. One of these characters is Amy, a spirited courier with whom Ledo forms a close bond. The intricate relationship between the two is a recurrent theme in the series, presenting various shades of human emotions and sentiments.

Furthermore, the show displays a fascinating intersection between the future and the past, where the remnants of post-apocalyptic Earth engage with an individual essentially carrying the future in his palms. This clash of cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs fuels a significant part of the plot and provides fodder for thought-provoking dialogue and complexities.

Language also assumes an important role in this series. Initially, Ledo's inability to understand the Earthlings' language hinders communication, fostering misunderstandings and mistrust on both ends. Still, the language barrier does not hold for long, with Chamber's advanced technology allowing Ledo to communicate, thereby paving the way for cultural exchange, friendships, conflict resolutions and shared camaraderie.

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet challenges traditional sci-fi precedents by combining tranquil everyday living, stunning visuals, a thought-provoking blend of existentialies, and a heady dose of action. The series is unique as it focuses on Ledo's challenges and growth, his journey of self-discovery as he explores Earth's flora and fauna, cultures, and traditions, and most importantly, humanity.

The series also explores deep philosophical queries about circularity in human progress, the concepts of war and peace, cultural relativism, and deterministic versus adaptive approaches to human life. Ledo’s gradual understanding of and empathy towards people living outside of relentless war and his own struggle with moral dilemmas in face of human socio-cultural nuances are major core themes that swing between uplifting, disturbingly poignant, and intensely dramatic.

Skilfully woven with emotional depth, impactful character development, a deep sense of intrigue, and an innovatively executed plot, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet is a show that delights, surprises, and provokes thought in equal measure. The series, carefully crafted, juxtaposes a potpourri of light-hearted moments, heart-wrenching emotions, suspense, and action-packed sequences, complimented by superb animation quality making it a visually pleasing spectacle.

Undeniably, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet continues to captivate audiences with its unique plotline, brilliant character development, and philosophical undertones even after almost a decade since its airing. High production value, an enticing storyline that fuses elements of drama, fantasy, mystery, and a sprinkle of romance, along with an immersively drawn post-apocalyptic universe, make this a must-have addition to every fantasy and anime aficionado's collection, positioning itself proudly among Viz Media's plethora of diverse, entertaining offerings.