Watch Alice & Zoroku
- 1969
- 1 Season
Alice & Zoroku is an anime television series produced by studio J.C.Staff in Japan. The show made its debut in Japan on April 2, 2017, and it aired its final episode on June 25, 2017. The anime comprises a total of 12 episodes and is available on various streaming platforms.
The series is set in the present-day Tokyo and follows the life of a young girl named Sana (also known as Alice's Dream), who possesses extraordinary abilities that enable her to bend reality to her will. Her powers are a result of her being an "Alice," a special category of humans who are born with supernatural abilities. A secret organization known as the "Research Facility" had been studying Alices for their own interests, and Sana was their latest subject before her escape.
Sana's POV shifts in episode 2 to a seemingly unrelated elderly man, Zoroku Kashimura- A florist who lives a simple, but reliable life. One day while out on an errand, he stumbles across the young girl and takes her in. Zoroku is initially taken wordless by Sana's strong demeanor, but the show explores the struggle of Sana adjusting to a normal life after years of confinement.
Despite their seemingly vast differences regarding their ages, Zoroku shares some similarities with Sana, as he too has a few tricks up his sleeve. He is a hardworking and honest individual and has a deep sense of responsibility in helping those around him. As a former soldier, he has a vast knowledge of combat and strategy.
The series follows the duo's everyday life, as Sana adapts to life outside the lab facility and tries to understand how to control her powers. They also face challenges from both the Research Facility and other rogue alices while gradually learning to trust each other, making new friends and forming new connections along the way.
Alice & Zoroku is a character-driven anime that explores themes surrounding family, freedom, and power. It is an excellent blend of action, drama, and comedy, with a touch of science fiction added to the mix. The narrative is heartwarming, and the pacing is fantastic, with a beautiful balance of the show's themes throughout the season.
The characters are well fleshed-out, and their interactions with each other feel natural, making for a believable and immersive viewing experience. Sana's character is particularly interesting, as she is technically a child but possesses immense power, which often leads to conflicts both internal and external. Zoroku serves as a much-needed calming presence in her life, helping her learn to control her powers and encouraging her to embrace her humanity.
The animation quality of Alice & Zoroku is top-tier, with a blend of 2D and 3D animation used to great effect, especially in the action sequences. The detail put into the urban setting is impressive, with vivid depictions of the Tokyo cityscape that help bring the story to life.
Overall, Alice & Zoroku is a fantastic anime, characterized by its well-developed characters, an engaging narrative with a subtle blend of action, great animation, and excellent pacing. The show offers a unique take on the 'supernatural powers' trope, focusing on the day-to-day lives of its characters rather than just the conflicts they face. Fans of character-driven anime or those looking for something that's both heartfelt and well-executed will surely enjoy Alice & Zoroku.
Alice & Zoroku is a series that ran for 1 seasons (48 episodes) between and on