Netflix's 'Leviathan': Ghibli Vibes Meet WWI... With Weaponized Jellyfish?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
'Leviathan' on Netflix offers a unique, steampunk-infused alternate history of WWI with Ghibli-esque vibes and surprisingly nuanced character development – just don't expect any clunky blockchain integrations (this time). Weaponized jellyfish *are* included.
Right, so Netflix dropped 'Leviathan,' and fair dinkum, it's got me thinking. IGN South Africa reckons it's a modern classic in the making, and I'm inclined to agree (though I always approach 'classic' claims with a healthy dose of skepticism, mate). We're talking about an alternate WWI where alliances are forged not by politics, but by *technology*. One side's got steampunk mechs (the 'Clankers' – Austro-Hungarians and Germans), the other's rocking genetically engineered beasties (the 'Darwinists' – Brits, naturally). Sounds bonkers, right? But it works.
The story itself is a coming-of-age yarn about an Austrian archduke's son, Aleksandar (Alek, for short, when he's trying to be incognito – bless his heart), and Deryn Sharp, a British girl disguised as a boy to become an aviator (because, you know, it's the early 20th century). They end up on a giant *flying jellyfish* airship together. I mean, come on, who *doesn't* want to see that? (And before you ask, no, there aren't any obvious Web3 tie-ins here, though I can't help but wonder what a decentralized version of the Darwinist technology would look like...food for thought).
What sets 'Leviathan' apart, according to IGN, is its commitment to showing, not telling. Think Ghibli-esque storytelling with facial expressions and visual cues doing the heavy lifting. Joe Hisaishi (the Ghibli composer!) even lent his talents to the project. The art direction is dripping with 'Porco Rosso' and 'Kiki's Delivery Service' vibes. Studio Orange somehow managed to conjure that hand-drawn magic within a computer-animated series. It’s a bloody impressive feat, considering how many complex machines and creatures are on screen.
Now, there are occasional CG hiccups, times when the animation feels a tad clunky. But given the sheer scale of the steampunk/bio-engineered war machines, it's a forgivable sin. The globetrotting adventure keeps things moving at a cracking pace, and despite cramming three novels into twelve episodes, the character development doesn't suffer.
But here's the thing that really stuck with me, and that IGN highlighted: 'Leviathan' handles tricky subjects like gender identity with grace. Sharp isn't just a cross-dressing stereotype; her queerness is explored with nuance and care. The series challenges our perceptions and makes us question why we pigeonhole people in the first place. It doesn't matter if Sharp is male, female, or somewhere in between. What matters is that she's a well-developed, compelling character.
So, is 'Leviathan' a modern classic? Only time will tell. But it's definitely a refreshing take on WWI, with strong characters, imaginative world-building, and a willingness to tackle complex themes. And let's be honest, weaponized jellyfish are always a win in my book. Give it a burl, you might just be surprised.
Tags: Netflix, Anime, Steampunk, World War I, Studio Ghibli
Original article: IGN South Africa