Movies News Talk
Drifters is a special and mesmerizing dark fantasy gem in the field of isekai anime, where heroes often find themselves thrown into fanciful worlds and grow to be heroes. Designed by the genius behind the Hellsing series, Kouta Hirano, Drifters deviates from the conventional isekai clichés and offers a raw and violent interpretation of the genre that will make you yearning more.
By moving the emphasis from the conventional power fantasy clichés, Drifters offers a novel interpretation of the isekai genre. Rather than heroes right away emerging in their new environments, Drifters explores the terrible reality of war and the fallout from violence. Showcasing the harsh and merciless nature of this new environment, it approaches the idea of being transported to another world darkly and realistically.
The protagonist, Shimazu Toyohisa, is mortally injured in a violent clash during the Battle of Sekigahara. Toyohisa is sent to a strange world via a corridor full of countless doors as he passes death from his wounds. The Drifters, people pulled from many historical eras on Earth, including Oda Nobunaga, Nasu no Yoichi, and even Adolf Hitler, call this planet home. Lead by a terrifying man known as the Black King, these Drifters are thrown into a bloody war against an army of monsters.
Fans of both anime and history will find a gripping story created by the mix of historical figures and fantasy components to enthralling. Drifters explores the actual atrocities of war and highlights the methods and strategies used by these great people in their former life—qualities that become absolutely vital in this new planet. Unlike the conventional power dreams found in many isekai, Drifters shows a world where survival is paramount and characters are driven by an unrelenting thirst for success.
Drifters is basically a strategic war game, set against an unrelenting foe. Two mysterious beings oversee the game: EASY, their opponent, and Murasaki, who leads the Drifters. Every Drifter plays a pawn in this cosmic game, their life entwined with the whims of these strong entities. Examining the complexity of war, the show highlights the reasons, tactics, and sacrifices made by people caught in this terrible struggle.
Sadly, long hiatues and a slow release schedule in the manga adaptation of Drifters have hampered its popularity. Still, given its one season, the anime adaptation presents a fascinating window into this dark and unusual world despite its slow speed. Drifters is a must-see if you're looking for a novel approach on the isekai genre that embraces the brutal reality of war and the nuanced character of human conflict.