Star Driver
Since Code Geass and Gurren Lagann revolutionized the mecha scene and made it the most significant thing in anime, numerous new anime and manga titles have emerged to emulate their success. While a few came close, these other titles did not share the same fate; plenty are on the horizon. Generally, the 2000s showcased many mediocre mecha titles that either struggled with execution or lacked a compelling setting to propel them to the next level, where mecha fights unfold in the most immersive manner possible. Star Driver, a name not many people know about for the right reasons, is another one of these many titles. While the anime has a few moments here and there that make up for a decent highlight reel, it's either lost or not progressing toward a meaningful conclusion. That said, let us introduce you to this mecha anime that's as underrated as it gets, and I’m glad that’s the case!
Let's delve deeper into what fueled this series' success—or, conversely, what caused it to falter. Studio Bones, the powerhouse behind hits like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and My Hero Academia, took the helm on this 25-episode venture that aired from October 2010 to April 2011. At the controls was director Takuya Igarashi, fresh off his success with Ouran High School Host Club, paired with screenplay writer Yōji Enokido, known for the mind-bending Revolutionary Girl Utena. The series even pulled in Satoru Kōsaki for music composition, proving they weren't cutting corners on talent. The visual department also demonstrated its commitment to excellence. Yoshiyuki Itō handled character designs, while Shigeto Koyama, who'd later work on Promare, crafted those flashy Cybodies we see throughout the series. They even released a compilation movie in 2013, though it did little more than condense the series with a few new scenes thrown in for good measure.
Sort of a New Isekai Formula
Concepts such as teleporting to another world, reincarnating into something completely different, and taking on someone else's body have been extensively explored. What if I were to inform you that there is a scenario in which a hapless "Intergalactic Pretty Boy" washes up on the shore of an island, and the first thing the fortunate individual experiences is a mouth-to-mouth encounter with one of the most beautiful women in the universe? Takuto Tsunashi, being one of the most social animals, seamlessly integrates into society after this encounter, embarking on an educational journey that encompasses everything but education.
The island called the “Southern Cross Isle” is home to four seal maidens, which the “Glittering Crux,” the main evil guys in the series, aim to destroy so that the “Cybodies,” the prominent mecha figures in the anime, can walk around freely instead of being limited to “zero time,” a state of suspended animation. While the story ultimately makes no sense and just sounds like something brought up on a whim, what bothered me was their naming skills with this show. I mean, the “Glittering Crux” and the Galactic Pretty Boy? Even though TikTok didn't exist in this era, they were able to incorporate the most popular Gen Z terms into their play without any hesitation. We thrash the new “My Hero Academia” dub for no reason when we have subbed anime with names that make you cringe just watching them.
The Cast: Style Over Substance
One look at Tsunashi Takuto, our so-called "Galactic Pretty Boy," and you're immediately reminded of those early 2000s anime heartthrobs who had all the girls swooning for no reason. Sure, Takuto is handsome and wields his dual Star Swords, Émeraude and Sapphire, like he’s auditioning for a mecha-themed boy band. But what lies beneath all that sparkle and swagger? There isn't much else to be found. He’s got a mysterious scar and a "Tau" mark that lets him pilot the Cybody Tauburn, but his character arc never really takes off. He’s all style, no substance—like a sports car without an engine.
Then there’s Wako Agemaki, one of the four shrine maidens tasked with keeping the Cybodies locked away in "Zero Time." She’s caught in a love triangle between Takuto and her childhood friend-slash-fiancé, Sugata Shindō. Wako is torn between her duty as a maiden and her feelings for Takuto. Her internal conflict feels more like a subplot than the emotional core it could have been. Meanwhile, Sugata is your classic stoic rival—calm, collected, and intriguing enough to make you wish the writers had done more with him. He pilots Samekh, the most powerful Cybody, but using it comes with a coma-inducing risk that sounds dramatic on paper but fizzles out in execution.
And then we have the Glittering Crux Brigade. Oh boy. Expected to be the series' main antagonists, these individuals are merely a group participating in a cult-style costume contest. Their disguises are laughable at best—imagine Power Rangers villains on a budget—and their motivations are as shallow as their flamboyant costumes. Sure, Reiji Miyabi (the Head) tries to add some gravitas to their schemes, but it’s difficult to take them seriously when they look like they’re about to break into a synchronized dance routine. The problem isn’t just that these characters are hollow; they don’t grow or change meaningfully. You persistently anticipate a pivotal moment where they transform or astonish you, yet it never materializes. Instead, you’re left with a cast that feels more like placeholders than people, which is a shame because mecha anime thrives on strong characters driving the action (pun intended).
Pretty Good Animation
I will give the anime credit where it's due since the series features excellent animation. Remember that this is in the 2010s, and we aren't that far into the good/excellent animation era anime has seen over the last couple of years. But Studio Bones did a fantastic job. Studio Bones draws everything well, including the character models, different settings, and mecha robots, ensuring nothing looks off. This is surprising from an anime that completely misses the story, as it usually works the other way around.
That makes the transformations look excellent and the fight scenes even better. Putting that stupid, repetitive transformation scene in every episode when they could've done something better was annoying. Other than that, this is for you if you're a serious animation critic who slammed Attack on Titan when MAPPA picked it up in 2020 and 2021. Also, because of the fluid animation, the different character expressions are captured well, and there are scenes where you can feel what the character is experiencing at that particular moment. That's a challenging job, even more so if we're talking 2010, so that deserves some props.
The sound is excellent as well. The anime had quite a high budget, given we've got big names like Aqua Timez on the theme songs. Honestly, this is the case of the budget being unable to save a lousy story since all the stuff that money could fix was fixed. That is other than the story, which, for the most part, feels bland or empty and doesn't wrap itself up nicely at the very end, making it an experience that leaves a bad taste in the mouth of all the mecha fans out there. So, keep that in mind before jumping into this anime since I know how you mecha fans can get when the heaps of junk you see on the screen aren't done well!
Star Driver has some problems. Furthermore, the fact that they are all in the story and character departments raises additional concerns. That’s because to draw in a viewer and have them on board, you’ve got to polish these skills. However, the anime's terrible pacing persists until the very end. The animation and sound ultimately prove to be the show's redeeming qualities for some people. I recommend it to Mecha fans out there. I’d say watch the first three episodes and see for yourself. I'm struggling to determine if you'll enjoy it or not. On the one hand, I think the different “Cybodies” are a treat to watch since they’ve been animated well, while on the other hand, a bunch of mechas fighting to no end isn’t going to be able to keep you entertained if what they’re fighting for isn’t something significant in your opinion.
Star Driver has divided the anime community from its inception. While some viewers got caught up in the sparkly visuals and flamboyant style, comparing it to Revolutionary Girl Utena's symbolic approach, others couldn't get past the show's style-over-substance issues. The series has gathered a small but dedicated following who appreciate its campy charm and unique take on the mecha genre. Interestingly, the fandom tends to divide into two groups: those who embrace the show's over-the-top nature and those who desire more depth in these mechanical elements. The stunning animation and energetic soundtrack earned praise, but the unresolved plot threads and repetitive battle sequences frustrated many viewers. It's become one of those series that people either love for its uniqueness or use as an example of wasted potential in the mecha genre.
For the rating, I’ll give it a 7/10. I think the animation and sound boost the scores for this series even when there are problems in every other department. Since this series has much less source material than episodes, I think some studio employees got ambitious with their ideas, which is why it turned out the way it did. But you can see how it compares to the series at the end. Plus, if you manage to watch it to the very end without forcing yourself to do so, do let us know what you think since I have yet to find someone who’s genuinely a fan of the series called Star Driver.
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