In a post-apocalyptic world where the remains of humanity survive under the totalitarian rule of The Third and the harsh life of the desert, one young woman with a sword, a tank, and a reputation, is about to have her painful past and her present collide for an epic sci-fi adventure in the anime known as the The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye (The Third – Aoi Hitomi no Shoujo).

Based on the novels and short stories written by Ryou Hoshino and illustrated by Nao Goto, The Third is a saga of one young woman’s journey to face her past and discover her future. Immediately the viewer is shown a wasteland, both beautiful and unforgiving. It is a harsh existence but Honoka, the jack-of-all-trades known as the Sword Dancer, travels with a tank that holds an artificial intelligence (AI) and she herself immediately wins people over with her vivacious personality and her own code of ethics. She is paid to help a town ravaged by giant sand spiders, helps a friend out when raiders try to attack him and his daughter, and ends up saving an unusual young man in the middle of the desert. Ilks is like no one she’s ever met. And their meeting will put Honoka on a course that will change her young life forever.

The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye is pure sci-fi adventure. It has action, a sparkle of comedy, an underlying philosophical tone, drama and a driving mystery. Oppressed by the ruling class known as The Third, anyone using outlawed technology is taken away, often never to be seen again if not killed outright then and there. By keeping a monopoly on technology, The Third can rule humanity easily. But who, or what, are they? What is their interest in Ilks? And what is the secret that Honoka is trying to hide from everyone?

The story immediately sweeps you up into its world and the people and takes you on this incredible journey filled with joys, heartaches and courage. Unlike the way most solo heroes are portrayed, Honoka goes against type by being and open and friendly rather than stoic and monosyllabic. She is a young woman with a lust for life that is admirable and a generosity that is touched by compassion and tempered by realism. Nevertheless, we quickly see that beneath her charm and energetic personality is a soul that aches with a burden Honoka will not share. But circumstances may soon make it impossible for her not to reveal the past she denies and the secret she hides. Luckily she has friends. The intriguing roster of characters includes her AI tank Bogey who is both a business partner and a pseudo fatherly personality. There’s the young girl Millie who looks up to Honoka like a sister, Millie’s father and mechanic Zankan, and enthusiastic and smitten young mechanic Joey. There is also the strange and enigmatic Ilks. Just what is his interest in Honoka? And what will happen when tragedy strikes in this first volume and Honoka’s secret is revealed to those she holds most dear?

This outstanding action adventure is matched by incredible animation. Produced by XEBEC (Fafner, DNAngel, Negima) the animation is stellar. It has breathtaking beauty to it. The way the wind sweeps across the dunes and debris is mesmerizing. The mechanical designs of Bogey are interesting and innovative. The character designs are appealing and the whole look of the show immediately grabs attention and keeps it.

The immersing story holds an understated yet effective score and a beautiful opening theme song “Sajou no Yume” (Dreams Built on Sand) that’s sung with a haunting quality by Yuko Sasaki. The English cast is some of the best I’ve heard, showing consistently solid acting by each member of the cast. Although high quality voice acting isn’t as hard to find in English dubbing as it used to be, good quality that is consistent throughout most, if not the entire cast, is harder to find. The Third found it. Anna Morrow achieves an incredible balance of voicing Honoka, showing her strength and friendliness while revealing her hidden pain and vulnerability. James Lyon does a wonderful job of giving Bogey an authoritative manner tempered by a fatherly concern for his business and traveling companion Honoka. Angora Deb is a talent known to fans of Revolutionary Girl Utena and here captures the innocent yet strong and courageous personality of young Millie. The show is tempered by the philosophical and often poignant narration given by Michael Alston Bailey. Narration can be a tricky thing. It is easy to give too much in the voice and overpower the tone of the anime, but Michael Alston Bailey never does, playing it close to the vest along with the series’ secrets.

IN SUMMARY:
It feels like a very long time since there has been a pure science fiction adventure series offered in anime like this. The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye is an outstanding sci-fi adventure filled with intrigue and captivating animation.

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