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Please note this review is intended to be read by those that have finished watching the Killing Bites and while care has been taken to minimise story related spoilers there may still be spoilers within character analysis. You have been warned! One nights encounter with a beast girl that changed the life of a mediocre student and introduces him to a hidden world of bloody beast fights. Based on a popular manga of the same name Killing bites is an action based anime that also feature elements of sci-fi and ecchi Killing Bites gives us the opportunity to see what exactly would happenif beneath the hustle of bustle of modern day Japan there exists a hidden fighting arena where some of the societies largest and most well-known corporations and companies have formed vast power blocks that compete with each other via the use of bloody fights between human-beast hybrids called brutes in bloody matches called Killing Bites. Victory on the field will bring the corporations called Zaibatsu’s great fame and the countless rich people that bet on these matches great fortune and delight, but defeat will only result in your cold carcass being carted off as the next match takes over in a never-ending series of blood matches whose only job is to satisfy the rich.
Taking place in the modern world the overall story for Killing Bites follows the life of Yuuya Nomoto a somewhat mediocre university student that whether through luck or design has had nothing but an uneventful life where it seems no matter what he does he cannot be successful in it. One night a casual acquaintance of his rings him up asking him to help in picking up girls to which he decides to readily help for friendship's sake. But never in his wildest dreams would Yuuya once imagine that doing would not only result in his friends being ripped to shreds but also introduce him to not just the curious beast girl Hitomi but also introduce him to the hidden world of the killing bite arena’s where not everything is as straightforward as society is. Joining Yuuya in his foray into the world of the ferocious world of killing bites is the direct but unexpectedly kind Hitomi, the cheerful and teasing Eruza and the elegant but arrogant Yoko.
Yuuya Nomoto
Yuuya Nomoto voiced by veteran voice actor Wataru Hatano of Fairy Tail and Nogizaka Haruka no himitsu fame is one of the main characters of the series and is the main protagonist of the series. A second-year university student initially Yuuya was someone that can be said to be the very definition of mediocrity having until the start of the series been living a life that had been dictated by society. A kind, caring and understanding person by nature Yuuya is someone that can be said to be someone that prefers to stay in the background and not draw attention to himself as he navigates the path called life a fact that he manages to accomplish for the most part thanks to his quiet and calm nature. In the beginning of the series Yuuya was noted to be someone that got scared of the unknown rather easily which is somewhat understandable if you were to see either beast human hybrids fight against each other or your so-called friends being torn into shreds. However, while certainly a mediocre person at first it can be seen that beneath this side of his Yuuya is someone that is responsible and logical and is someone that cares deeply about people whether they are his friends or merely allies something that may seem absurd by the other zaibatsu’s but not so for Yuuya.
As the series goes on and Yuuya gets to see more about what the killing bites involves and the true nature of the brutes Yuuya’s attitude gradually starts to change. At the beginning of the series Yuuya had a most unfortunate of first encounters with Hitomi and as a result, viewed her as something akin to an unwelcome intruder into his life though not something that he can easily say to her in person. However, as the series progresses and Yuuya and Hitomi interact more this sense of seeing her as a threat gradually disappears as Yuuya starts seeing Hitomi and the other hybrids as lifeforms and not monsters as the other zaibatsu’s have treated them. Because of this Yuuya also developed a determination and desire to save and protect Hitomi from not just the games played by the various zaibatsu’s outside of the killing bites but also inside them as well. As the series goes on this feeling of wanting to protect the hybrids gradually starts to expand as Yuuya gets to see how the other hybrids are treated and viewed by the other zaibatsu which is fuelled by his desire to see them be treated as lifeforms and not tools. While not having much trust in Hitomi in the beginning as the series progresses and as Yuuya and Hitomi overcome challenge after challenge this starts to change as Yuuya begins to place his trust in Hitomi trusting in both her skill and her confidence in navigating the best path to victory. This aspect of trusting Hitomi to make her own decisions on the field rather than issue her commands like other Zaibatsu’s would I felt was a great indication of the trust that was developed between the two. In line with this trust it can also be seen that Yuuya’s personality and attitude also changed with it as for the first time Yuuya was able to make his own decisions that are based on his own reasoning and judgement and for the first time in his life finally take control of his own life and not get caught in the pace of others like he did previously. A change that I thought was well done. The character of Yuuya I felt was an interesting character that while cowardly and unreliable at first gradually got stronger and more determined as the series went on as a result of the increasing trust that he had for Hitomi as well as his desire to be a better person as well. I felt that his voice actor Wataru Hatano did an excellent job at portraying the character of Yuuya.
Hitomi
Hitomi voiced by veteran seiyuu singer Sora Amamiya of Aldnoah Zero and Plastic memories fame is one of the main characters of the series and is the main heroine of the series. A high school girl that Yuuya meets at the beginning of the series Hitomi is a confident, intelligent and fast thinking person that prefers action rather than thinking things through. While a calm girl by nature Hitomi is also someone that shows a certain level of arrogance in her actions that comes from the fact that she see’s herself as the strongest hybrid in the killing bites. A fact that she uses to openly taunt her opponents such is the confidence that she has in her own skills. As a result of her desire to want to leap straight into action Hitomi is someone that can be said to have a very direct personality as she see’s anything that’s unrelated to that as worthless and as a result she views things like bonds and friendships with something approaching disdain. While a brave and a tenacious fighter Hitomi is also noted to be someone that’s also merciful and honourable and will not fight opponents that are too heavily injured a trait that she also shares with fellow fighter Tiger. As with all hybrids Hitomi is also someone that also has a human side to her character and in this it can be seen that in this form her attitude is somewhat different being a polite, kind and sweet-natured girl that has a large appetite a personality more benefiting of a high school girl than her usual attitude does.
As the series goes on Hitomi’s personality gradually starts to change as she starts getting used to the team up that had been forced on her. At the beginning of the series, Hitomi was someone that exhibited typical loner attributes as she was quiet and preferred to keep to herself at all times even though it will be better to make friends and create a bond with your guardian something that should be important for all brutes. As a result of her unfamiliarity with normal human social culture, Hitomi was also noted to be someone that got embarrassed with the most minor of things, unlike her fellow brute Eruza. While initially distrustful of both Eruza and Yuuya as the series progresses and they overcome challenges together a gradual bond and trust is eventually formed between them. While Eruza’s naturally playful nature in the beginning often got on Hitomi’s nerves as the series progressed Hitomi’s attitude towards this gradually softened and she learned to treat these as just another aspect of her personality. This gradual thawing of Hitomi’s personality as she starts to realise the importance of bonds and friendships I felt was well done as it highlighted the increasing trust that she had towards not just Yuuya her guardian but also the other brutes that she encounters along the way and realising that perhaps there is more to life than combat after all. The character of Hitomi I felt was an interesting character that had some good development as the series went on. I felt that her seiyuu Sora Amamiya did an excellent job of portraying the character of Hitomi.
Eruza
Eruza voiced by veteran seiyuu singer Maaya Uchida of Charlotte and Gate fame is one of the main characters of the series and is one of Hitomi’s fellow brutes. A member of an opposing Zaibatsu Eruza initially appeared to be a typically hyperactive high school girl that Hitomi and Yuuya encounter in the course of their journey however as events progress this proves to be not the case. Like Hitomi, Eruza is a member of the brutes but in contrast to Hitomi Eruza’s personality is markedly different. A kind, positive and cheerful girl by nature Eruza is also someone that’s teasing and playful by nature and loves to poke fun at other’s traits that I feel suit her hybrid origin pretty well. Unlike Hitomi, Eruza is also someone that’s intelligent and fast thinking able to approach each situation with calmness and cautiousness and makes great use of tactics to fight her battles. While competitive to a degree Eruza is also someone that knows when the tide has turned and would try to retreat when this occurs rather than fight to the last. However, when pressed into a situation where she can’t readily do so Eruza’s tenacious nature would show up that makes her a ferocious opponent.
At the beginning of the series Eruza while calm and composed for the most part was also noted to be somewhat overconfident and was someone that had great pride in her abilities as a brute. While not openly pushing away people away from her Eruza was also noted to be someone that didn’t trust easily something that her life as a brute has forged in her. As a result of this while positive and cheerful Eruza was noted to not have many friends that she can rely on though interestingly enough she’s able to blend more into human culture than Hitomi does due to this aspect. As the series progresses and Eruza gradually learns what friends are this starts to gradually change and she starts forging bonds with others and forging friendships with them. The character of Eruza I felt was an interesting one as in addition to being a capable brute in her own right she also served as a great contrast to Hitomi in terms of both attitude and personality and showed that if you have something to fight for that you would fight even harder to protect it.
Yoko Mitsukado
Yoko Mitsukado voiced by veteran seiyuu Megumi Han of Twin Stars Exorcist fame is one of the main support characters of the series and is the series main villain. The granddaughter of the president of the Mitsukado Zaibatsu Yoko is on the surface a calm, elegant and composed young woman that is also intelligent, rational and logical. A very determined and haughty person Yoko is someone that is shown to be both very loyal to her grandfather as well as to the Zaibatsu and exhibits great pride in her belief that her zaibatsu is one of the strongest ones in Japan. Additionally, Yoko is shown to have a great deal of respect in the killing bites and the traditions that it represents. As a result of this Yoko dislikes people that are either not serious about the idea and purpose of the killing bites or are misusing it for their own ends which makes her both an enemy of both Yuuya and Shidoh the latter of which she see’s as her most hated enemy. As someone of such conviction it’s perhaps unsurprising to note that Yoko is also a very adept strategist and is able to prepare for many different situations while at the same time thinking several steps ahead of her opponents in order to achieve her aim. In this she’s shown to be not only ruthless but also someone that doesn’t let rules hinder her showing that as long as her goal is achieved in the end nothing else matters.
In the beginning of the series it was noted that Yoko while believing fervently in the main ideas of the killing bites was someone that viewed the hybrids as assets but not lifeforms and as a result of seeing Yuuya and Hitomi’s relationship grow as they grew to trust each other gradually saw him as both a rival that she had to crush and an enemy that stood against everything that she believed to be true from the killing bites. As a result of this Yoko become determined to crush Yuuya and crush what she see’s to be the foolish sentiments that Yuuya has. This, in turn, is reinforced by her view that Yuuya is someone that is not even qualified to be at the same table as she is. The character of Yoko I felt was an interesting one as in addition to being a rival in the killing bites Yoko was also someone whose views on both the killing bites and on brutes, in particular, were polar opposites to Yuuya. This clash of both personalities and beliefs that were played out in the killing bites I felt was well done and appropriate as it allowed them to settle their differences on something that both are invested in. I felt that her seiyuu Megumi Han did an excellent job of portraying the character of Yoko.
AMV
In terms of animation, I thought that the series various locales and settings were well designed and though limited showed a good variety in the types of areas that the fights took place in. The designs for the various characters and especially the brutes I thought was well done and I really appreciated the great variety of animal types that was used as the template to create the brutes. The combat between the brutes which also serves as the series main premise I thought was not just well designed but also well animated and really showed how brutal and gritty such fights would be. In terms of music, I thought that the series OST did a great job at providing the scenes with music that matched the feelings that each scene invoked in us. The series opening and ending themes also did a great job of creating a sense of anticipation for the series as well. In terms of voice acting, I felt that the series voice cast did an excellent job at voicing their assigned characters with Sora Amamiya, Maaya Uchida and Megumi Han deserving special praise for their portrayal of the characters of Hitomi, Eruza and Yoko.
Overall Killing Bites was an interesting anime that I really enjoyed seeing with its main strong points being its interesting premise, story, characters, combat scenarios and voice acting.
The main premise of Killing bites is, of course, the titular fights between the brutes that are overseen by large and very ancient corporations called Zaibatsu’s. These fights between the brutes that are fielded by the Zaibatsu’s I thought was interesting as while also gritty and brutal it not only gave us the opportunity to see the types of animals that were used to create the hybrids that would fight for the zaibatsu’s when the time came but also look at the way that said zaibatsu’s treated their brutes. In the case of the former the types and identities of the animals that were used as the source of the traits for the hybrids I thought was surprising as not only did it use the more common ones like lions but also rarer ones like the honey badger and the pangolin the latter of which I had to look up as it was a term not seen before. This use of the traits of some of natures most powerful creatures on the brutes that will fight on the Zaibatsu’s behalf I thought was an interesting idea and helped bring into reality the childish dreams that many kids would have about such fights. In the case of the latter which was the Zaibatsu’s treatment of the brutes that serve them, I thought that the series did a great job of showing how the brutes are treated. While the sacrifices that each brute has paid for gaining their new-found power is immense it can be said that this also contrasts with the treatment that each Zaibatsu treats them. While some Zaibatsu’s treat their brutes as careful investments that are to be used carefully others only see them as tools that are to be discarded when they have lived past their usefulness. This mixed view on the brutes that are literally putting their lives on the line for them I thought did a good job at showing just how brutal and gritty the world of the killing bites can be as they must not only do well to enhance the prestige of their zaibatsu but also to ensure that they aren’t put down for being useless.
While the brutes can be said to serve as the main contestants for the killing bites it can be said that they are not the only ones that have a stake in the competition whether it’s within the single dual killing bites or the larger destroyal as without someone that can vouch for them and support them a brute no matter how powerful cannot enter the killing bites. As a result, a certain level of bond is needed between a brute and their financier whether that person is a zaibatsu or a single individual as the mc was. This bond between the two I thought was an interesting one as it not only reflected on the trust that exists between the brute and their financier but also shows that in the competition they are in this together. This bond while not always applicable to all zaibatsu’s was I felt used very well when used with the mc and Hitomi and only served to enhance the relationship that the two forges over the course of the series. The feeling that the lives of someone that you have bonded and befriended with has been placed in your hands and can change based on the decisions that you make during the matches I thought only served to reinforce the level of trust that both have for each other in the unforgiving fields of the killing bites.
Overall Killing Bites was an anime that while having an interesting premise in the form of the fights between brutes also had a deeper story in the form of the forging of bonds between a brute and their financier that served to improve both as they confronted the harsh and bloody world of the killing bites and was something that I really enjoyed watching. While let down somewhat by underdeveloped characters and some odd pacing issues I thought that the series still did well in showing the brutal fights between human-beast hybrids that are betted upon by rich people in their hundreds while also paring that with a decent story that was populated by some well designed and developed characters. One thing the series I thought the series did well if I might add was its use of unexpected twists in the story which was much more apparent in the latter part of the series. As a final score, I would give Killing Bites a 7/10.
