A.I.C.O.: Incarnation is a sci-fi anime series that premiered on Netflix in 2018, produced by Bones and directed by Kazuya Murata. It is a thrilling and action-packed story of a girl who discovers that she is the key to stop a biological disaster that threatens to destroy Japan. The anime is based on an original concept by Bones and features the voice talents of Haruka Shiraishi, Yusuke Kobayashi, and Ai Kayano.
The anime is set in 2035, two years after a scientific experiment to create an artificial life form called A.I.C.O. went wrong and caused an incident known as the Burst. The Burst unleashed a massive growth of synthetic organisms called Matter, which invaded the Kurobe Gorge and turned it into a quarantine zone. Aiko Tachibana, a high school student who lost her family in the Burst, learns from a transfer student named Yuya Kanzaki that she is actually an artificial body that contains the real Aiko, who is trapped inside the Matter. Together, they join a team of professional divers who are hired by Dr. Susumu Kurose, the former head of the research project, to infiltrate the quarantine zone and reach the Primary Point, where the Burst originated and where the real Aiko is located.
The anime has a fast-paced and intense style that matches the genre and the theme of the story. The animation is crisp and detailed, using realistic and futuristic designs to depict the contrast between the normal world and the quarantine zone. The action scenes are well-animated and exciting, featuring battles with guns, explosives, and vehicles against the Matter. The music is fitting and effective, using orchestral and electronic tunes to enhance the mood and the tension of the scenes. The voice acting is decent and expressive, using different languages such as Japanese, English, and Chinese.
The anime has a complex and diverse cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, role, and development. Aiko is the main protagonist, but she is not a typical heroine. She is cheerful, optimistic, and loyal, but also curious, reckless, and emotional. She wants to save her family and herself from the Matter, but she also discovers secrets and lies about her past and her identity. Yuya is the main supporting character, but he is not a typical hero. He is cool, calm, and skilled, but also mysterious, aloof, and secretive. He helps Aiko with his knowledge and abilities, but he also has his own motives and agenda.
The anime also features other characters who have their own stories and roles in the plot. Some of them are allies or enemies of Aiko’s group; some of them are members or leaders of other organizations; some of them are humans or artificial beings; some of them are based on historical or mythical figures. They all add depth and variety to the anime.
A.I.C.O.: Incarnation is an anime that will keep you hooked and entertained. It has an engaging plot that combines sci-fi and adventure; it has an attractive style that showcases reality and fantasy; it has an interesting theme that examines life and identity. It is an anime that I recommend to anyone who likes thrilling and action-packed stories.