It’s been twelve years and people are still trying to will a sequel to Edge of Tomorrow into existence. While the chances of us seeing Tom Cruise die over and over again in a deadly timeloop are slim, fans of that story might want to check out All You Need is Kill, an anime version of Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s 2004 light novel which inspired that big-screen blockbuster. However, don’t expect exactly the same thing. Director Kenichiro Akimoto tells the cyclical alien invasion story from a completely different perspective, bringing a more thoughtful and meditative approach combined with stunningly surreal visuals.
The focus this time around isn’t on Keiji, a low-level soldier battling his way through alien hordes until he becomes the Master Chief or whatever. Instead, the story centers on Rita, the Emily Blunt character in Edge of Tomorrow, here voiced by Ai Mikami, and her situation is completely different. In this version of the story, the world isn’t engaged in a losing battle with alien invaders. Humans have pretty much already lost, and are just living with the consequences. Rita is coasting through life, discontent and bored, as she works with a team to contain a mysterious plant-like organism that grows other plants that murder on sight. Rita herself is killed, but not exactly sad about it? When she wakes up again at the start of the day of her death, she’s actually kind of excited that something new has shaken her out of a funk. This insane predicament has afforded her the chance to take control of her life, and get as many shots at it as she needs. She begins learning how to fight, including a hilariously gigantic Liefeld-esque weapon, but her journey isn’t simply about blasting as many aliens as she can. It’s about learning how to live again.
Kind of a cool angle to take on what was, frankly, pretty grim, repetitive material in Sakurazaka’s novel. This version of All You Need is Kill sports a gorgeous, rainbow-colored palette and presents the aliens as less grotesque and strangely beautiful, spreading vibrancy to everything they touch. This gives the extraterrestrial creatures a bit more personality, which is crucial because there’s also more emphasis on Rita’s inner life, as well as her partner, Keiji (Natsuki Hanae), who is also trapped in a repeat cycle.
The animation by Studio 4°C, known for DC Comics films such as Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, is an acquired taste. The deliberately exaggerated, angular style doesn’t exactly mesh with the action sequences or the vast array of colors. That said, it works best in the quieter moments and delivers in expressing the emotions of Rita and Keiji.
All You Need is Kill works because it dares to be something different than its source material. Further adaptations and remakes are sure to follow, but this version should stand as one that’s worth a repeat viewing.
All You Need is Kill opens on January 16th.
