Synopsis
The kingdom of Kuruda has known many warriors, none greater than the Sevalle, an elite breed whose mastery of martial arts has made them legendary. But for the 59th Sevalle, Elle Ragu, a.k.a. Shadow Skill, being a legend is shaping up to be something of a drag. After all, adventure alone doesn’t pay the rent, and living check to check takes its toll on even the fiercest warrior. Strong as an ox and stubborn as a mule she may be, but it’s drinking like a fish that usually gets Elle in trouble. And as she travels alongside her brother Gau, leaving property damage and unpaid bar-tabs in their wake, a new threat looms on the horizon: spies from the kingdom of Solfan have entered the picture, and Kuruda seems to be headed for war…

Review
Shadow Skill is an action packed anime filled with martial arts, magic talisman users, and demons; along with a touch of hot-blooded-super-robot-like-screams, this anime just becomes that much more interesting and worthwhile to view.

What I found interesting when I watched Shadow Skill was how things were set up. The characters. for one, were very actively introduced. In volume one of Shadow Skill, we see a very immediate and unique development in some of the characters such as Elle and her charismatic personality as well as giving her an image of a quick-to-act-on-everything person. Each character also seem to have a mind of his or her own as narration of characters shifts constantly from third person perspective to first person perspective where the viewers can understand the motives behind each action and decision.

The first three episodes does not hint to what the plot of this anime is other than the fact that something is going to happen to the kingdom of Kuruda. What I do like, however, is that volume one sets up a feeling of adventure, almost like a Role Playing Game. There is the protagonist Elle, who has the ability to use secret martial arts techniques (also the same with her younger brother), her ‘guardian’ who has the ability to use talisman magic, and a young girl who has the ability to use rings as weapon that has the power to restrain demons. A distinction of character attributes gives a feel like each character has something different to contribute further into the anime. But as for now, Elle is currently the 59th Sevalle and her past is fairly unknown.

Animation and music were also well done. I will admit that it did get a little annoying to see the screen turn black and some letters written out right before the attack, but the animation itself does not lack brilliance in colors or character designs. I looked at the structure and design of the coliseum Elle fought at and felt like I was in Rome (maybe a little exaggeration). Furthermore, the music is well composed. Everything played seems to fit perfectly with whatever is happening whether it was a sad moment or a happy one.

Shadow Skill volume one does a great job introducing some of the main characters as well as setting up an adventure to come.

The Breakdown
You’ll like this is you are searching for an anime full of action and excitement. Who doesn’t want to see a girl kick ass?