The moment Dark Schneider (Kisho Taniyama) first appears on screen, his crimson cape billowing as he summons a storm of flames with a battle cry that echoes like a thunderclap, Bastard‼ -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- makes its intentions abundantly clear: it’s here to be loud, unfiltered, and gloriously excessive. This 2022 ONA series, created by Takaharu Ozaki and Taro Tanaka, is a love letter to the unapologetic excesses of ’80s heavy metal culture and dark fantasy anime, wrapped in a visual style that feels like it was ripped straight from an Iron Maiden album cover. It’s a show that doesn’t just walk the line between camp and sincerity—it leaps over it with reckless abandon.

What It Is

Bastard‼ follows Dark Schneider, a volatile dark wizard whose name is practically a middle finger to subtlety, as he’s summoned by the Kingdom of Meta-llicana to stop evil forces from resurrecting Anthrasax, the God of Destruction. The series is a hyper-stylized blend of action, fantasy, and sci-fi, with a narrative structure that leans heavily into episodic adventures rather than a tightly woven arc. Think of it as Fist of the North Star meets He-Man, filtered through the lens of an ’80s heavy metal music video.

The voice cast is packed with talented actors who bring the necessary energy to their roles. Kisho Taniyama’s performance as Dark Schneider is particularly noteworthy—he captures the character’s volatile nature with a mix of charisma and menace, making Schneider both terrifying and oddly endearing. Tomori Kusunoki brings warmth and determination to Tia Noto Yoko, while Hiroki Yasumoto’s Gara adds a layer of dark humor that keeps the series from taking itself too seriously.

What Works

The fight scenes are where Bastard‼ truly shines. Director Takaharu Ozaki stages battles with a kinetic energy that makes every clash feel like the climax of a live concert. Schneider’s fights are particularly impressive—his raw power and unpredictable nature make him a compelling antihero, even if his motivations are often muddled. The series’ humor lands surprisingly well, too. Schneider’s irreverent personality and the absurdity of his situations (like summoning demons for breakfast) add levity without undercutting the show’s darker moments.

The music is another standout element. A mix of orchestral swells and headbanging riffs, it amplifies the action and reinforces the series’ heavy metal aesthetic. The soundtrack feels like a natural extension of the visual style, creating an immersive experience that pulls viewers into Schneider’s world.

The voice cast deserves special mention. Kisho Taniyama’s performance as Dark Schneider is a standout, capturing the character’s volatile nature with a mix of charisma and menace. Tomori Kusunoki brings warmth and determination to Tia Noto Yoko, while Hiroki Yasumoto’s Gara adds a layer of dark humor that keeps the series from taking itself too seriously.

The show’s unabashed embrace of its influences is both its greatest strength and its Achilles’ heel. It borrows heavily from ’80s action anime, heavy metal culture, and fantasy tropes, which gives it a nostalgic charm. However, this also means that Bastard‼ sometimes feels like a collection of references and homages rather than a narrative with its own unique voice.

Themes and Tone

Bastard‼ doesn’t shy away from its themes of destruction and chaos. Dark Schneider is a force of nature, embodying the raw power and unpredictability of heavy metal itself. The series explores the idea of control versus anarchy, often blurring the lines between heroism and villainy. Schneider’s character arc is a journey into the heart of darkness, but it’s also a celebration of unbridled freedom.

The tone is a delicate balancing act between camp and sincerity. On one hand, the series leans into its absurdity with relish—Schneider’s over-the-top antics and the fantastical elements create a world that feels larger than life. On the other hand, there are moments of genuine emotional depth, particularly in Tia Noto Yoko’s character development.

Comparisons and Audience

Bastard‼ is not for everyone. It’s a show that demands a specific kind of viewer—one who appreciates the unapologetic excesses of ’80s heavy metal culture and dark fantasy anime. Fans of Fist of the North Star, He-Man, and bands like Iron Maiden will find a lot to love here. The series is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but it’s also a celebration of the unbridled energy that defines these genres.

However, those looking for a tightly woven narrative or deep character development may find Bastard‼ lacking. The pacing can be uneven, with some episodes feeling like filler and others packed with too much action to follow. The sci-fi elements occasionally clash with the darker fantasy tone, creating a disjointed experience that can be jarring.

What Falters

The series’ identity crisis is its biggest downfall. Bastard‼ borrows so heavily from ’80s action anime, heavy metal culture, and fantasy tropes that it sometimes feels like a pastiche rather than a cohesive story. At times, it comes across as a collection of references and homages rather than a narrative with its own unique voice.

The pacing is another issue. Some episodes feel like filler, slowing down the momentum and making the series feel uneven. The sci-fi elements occasionally clash with the darker fantasy tone, creating a disjointed experience that can be jarring.

Verdict

Bastard‼ is a guilty pleasure—unrefined but undeniably fun. It’s not trying to be high art; it’s a love letter to ’80s excess, and in that, it succeeds. The fight scenes are exhilarating, the music is a perfect fit, and the voice cast brings the necessary energy to their roles. However, the series’ identity crisis and uneven pacing hold it back from being truly great.

Bastard‼ is for fans of over-the-top action, heavy metal aesthetics, and dark fantasy tropes.