First Impression: Kaina of the Great Snow Sea

A silent figure walks in the snow, fully covered to protect himself from the arctic chill. Under the ice, there are clouds, lights, and strange animals. Meanwhile, enormous insects are repairing an enormous hole. Full of enthusiasm, our hunter prepares his harpoon gun and goes after one that’s bearing delicious eggs. We are under the Great Canopy, and Kaina is the only young person from an almost-extinct tribe living in an enormous tree over the Great Snow Sea. There used to be more trees and more villages, but not anymore. Upon his return, hooded elders congratulate Kaina on his capture and enjoy the delicious dish together with him. Afterward, the Sage instructs the young hunter on the writings of the ancients: aging signboards full of words whose meaning is now obscure—but that tribesmen must learn to read it anyway. Bored, Kaina wonders what is below the clouds: what are all these lights that shine through, moving? People, maybe? Yes. Unbeknownst to him, a princess escapes into the snow, pursued by soldiers wearing black armor…

Once in a while, a show appears that reminds me of what animation can truly do. How it can blow my mind. How it can feel like discovering a new planet. And, judging by this one episode, Kaina of the Great Snow Sea may just be that show this winter season. Our protagonist walks on ice as Armstrong walked on the moon, exploring a world that feels like a living, breathing place, full of weird and familiar things. Is this fantasy? Sci-fi? A post-apocalyptic tale? Who knows? Every frame, every conversation, every object is telling you a little story. You can sense untold depth everywhere, layers upon layers of human experiences and poetic visions. There’s something of Miyazaki’s Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke here, and something of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Perhaps something of Made in Abyss, too. The music fits the show like a glove (what a great, unusual opening!). The 3-D, also, is better than any other anime 3-D I have seen. In sum, I think I have found my golden show of the season, and I just hope it doesn’t disappoint. See you in episode two.

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Kaina and the Great Snow Sea can be streamed at Crunchyroll.