ANIME REVIEW:

Linebarrels of Iron

Plot

The Linebarrels of Iron story takes place in a fictional alternate future, centering around a junior-high school student named Kouichi Hayase, who escaped his daily life of being bullied as a child by daydreaming about being a hero. His life was forever changed during a class trip in the year 2016 when an artificial satellite fell from orbit. Due to this "accident", Kouichi was left in a coma for half a year, and upon awakening, found himself with strange powers, including superhuman strength. Then, in 2019, a mysterious robot called "Linebarrel" appears before him. It is revealed that the accident from three years ago was not caused by a satellite, but rather by the Machina robot Linebarrel, and that this turned him into a "Factor", which is the name given to Machina pilots. This leads him to encounter Emi Kizaki, a mysterious amnesiac girl whose unknown past seems to be related to Linebarrel. He joins her in fighting for JUDA, the world's largest medical equipment maker, which happens to secretly own several other Machina robots.

Machinas and Armas

There are two kinds of robots in Linebarrels of Iron: Armas and Machinas. The series primarily focuses on Machinas, robots which are not manufactured by humans and are powered by nanobots called D-S.O.I.L., which also enables it to regenerate after being damaged. Since D-S.O.I.L. is like artificial muscle for the Machinas, they tend to "bleed" when they are damaged. Machinas are also considered to have their own consciousness, as only the chosen "Factor" can pilot one, and once the Factor is killed, it will go on to find a replacement. In addition, a Machina can go into Overdrive, or rampage, when its Factor's emotions go out of control. This usually unleashes the Machina's more powerful arsenals. Machinas can also be stored in another dimension and appear before its Factor any time, excluding the Linebarrel. However, they cannot teleport if the Factor is inside it. Since there are only a limited amount of Machinas available and their true origins are unknown, humans created Armas, which are pale imitations of Machinas and do not have D-S.O.I.L. They can be piloted by anyone, but they cannot regenerate. Another type of robots are Machina-Human, which are humans from another dimension who abandoned their humanity for strength and power. They follow the concept of "All Becomes One" and want to expand their territory across the universe and beyond.

Characters

Kouichi Hayase (早瀬 浩一, Hayase Kōichi^?) Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara

The 14-year-old protagonist of the series, and pilot of the titular Machina robot, Linebarrel. He was often bullied as a child, and was thus often protected by his two childhood friends. When the accident from three years ago resulted in him receiving superhuman abilities, it eventually turned him into an arrogant and aggressive individual, who disliked being protected. Liked by the entire student body, and viewed as a model student by the teachers, Kouichi secretly hid his more aggressive personality and became the leader of those who used to bully him until Yajima reasons him out of his behavior.

He grows more sensitive to those around him as the series progresses, realizing Yajima's true intentions and committing himself to fulfilling President Ishigami's expectation of him. He also shows his affections towards Kizaki more often.

His new found abilities, as well as his more aggressive nature, is a result of becoming a Factor for Linebarrel. Apparently, he was inadvertently killed by Linebarrel during the accident, and was revived by the robot through the insertion of nanobots into his body, making his life connected to it. Linebarrel excels at speed and power, and its D-S.O.I.L. is more powerful than any other Machina. The robot possesses two katanas which are stored in the arms, and a gun/sword weapon called the Executor stored in the tail. He is later able to use Linebarrel's Mode-B without suffering as much strain on his body as Kizaki does upon its use. Its Mode-B state also grants it the ability to teleport.

Emi Kizaki (城崎 絵美, Kizaki Emi^?) Voiced by: Mamiko Noto

A mysterious girl who knows nothing of her past besides her own name. Her past seems to be connected with Linebarrel, however, and she is later revealed to also be Linebarrel's Factor. When she pilots the robot, its usual white-colored armor changes to black, and it can be placed in a state called Mode-B, which increases its speed and reflexes. This form however puts a heavy strain on her body. She also has feelings towards Kouichi but does not realize it herself. She is later revealed to be the younger sister of Hisataka Katou.

Reiji Moritsugu (森次 玲二, Moritsugu Reiji^?) Voiced by: Yuuichi Nakamura

The chief of JUDA's Special Task Force, and pilot of the blue, short-ranged combat Machina, Vardant. Excelling in intelligence, leadership, and physical strength, he is an expert in battles, never losing his cool and always making sound judgments. He doesn't feel pain even if he is severely wounded. He later defects from JUDA and becomes part of the Kato-Kikan, but this is revealed to be a ruse.

His Machina has ten variable binders containing two katanas in each. There are also five binders on each side of Vardant's back that can be extended to form two wings. Vardant's forte is its speed, often being used to attack the enemy in quick succession. It can also be equipped with two machine guns. Moritsugu tends to have two different fighting styles: a lenient style and a lethal style which he calls "true violence," with Vardant being much stronger when he uses the latter.

Satoru Yamashita (山下 サトル, Yamashita Satoru^?) Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro

A Factor in the Special Task Force, Satoru pilots the yellow, long-ranged combat Machina, Hind-Kind. He^[9] holds Moritsugu in high regard, and follows his orders without question. Possessing a very aggressive combat style, he considers Factors to be murderers, although he himself dislikes and avoids taking the lives of others.

His Machina is primarily used as support for short-ranged Machinas since its arsenal is mostly for long-ranged combat. It has two heavy cannons, bullet arms which fly at the enemy, iron spikes, and a high resolution scanner.

Shizuna Endo (遠藤 シズナ, Endō Shizuna^?) Voiced by: Kana Ueda

The older twin sister of Izuna Endo, and pilot of the pink, non-combat Machina, Deceive. Unlike her younger brother, Shizuna has a more brash and direct attitude. Due to their similar appearance, it is initially difficult to tell them apart until she uses the necktie pin given to her by Kouichi as a hairpin. Throughout the series, Shizuna has shown to have an affection for Kouichi, but has always kept it hidden from others.

Piloted by both Shizuna and Izuna, Deceive's only ability is manipulating the enemy's nervous system by launching nerve-disrupting signal rods from its shoulders.

Izuna Endo (遠藤 イズナ, Endō Izuna^?) Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya

The younger twin brother of Shizuna Endo, and co-pilot of the Machina Deceive, specializing in electronic warfare. He shares his older sister's feminine appearance, but has a more shy and reserved attitude compared to his sister's. Since the twins were raised in various places throughout Japan, Izuna speaks standard Japanese while his sister speaks in a Kansai dialect.

Miu Kujō (九条 美海, Kujō Miu^?) Voiced by: Aya Hirano

The kind and caring pilot of the pink Machina, Painkiller, specializing in defense combat. She develops feelings for Kouichi, saying that Kouichi is her hero of justice, and that she will not lose to Emi. In episode 20, she even tries to give her life up to protect Kouichi, but she ends up being saved by him instead.

Her Machina has two beam guns mounted on each arm, as well as knives for throwing.

Kunio Ishigami (石神 邦生, Ishigami Kunio^?) Voiced by: George Nakata

Chief manager of the JUDA corporation, Ishigami often has an eccentric personality, but sometimes has a very intimidating disposition. He takes a special interest in Kouichi and recruits him into JUDA. Later in the series, he is revealed to have been the former leader of the Katou Organization. In episode 13, he is shot and killed by Reiji Moritsugu.

Yui Ogawa (緒川結衣, Ogawa Yui^?) Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara

Kunio Ishigami's personal secretary, she is always reprimanding her boss due to his pranks on Koichi.

Rachel Calvin (レイチェル·キャルヴィン, Reicheru Kyaruvin^?) Voiced by: Chiwa Saitō

A child prodigy from America and head of JUDA's research and development department.