Writer’s Spotlight: Tales of the Abyss

Today, I’ll review the fantasy/RPG series, “Tales of the Abyss”

Yes, the anime is modeled off the video game by the same name. But this in no means makes the show inferior to game, in fact, after viewing  both I’ve come to a sound conclusion the anime is just a more condensed form of the video game, which is great in my opinion – more plot and action, quicker then you power through the game!

(Poster inset.)

Tales of the Abyss is a fantasy/action anime that takes place on “Auldrant”, a planet composed of atomic particles called Fonons. For much of Auldrant’s known history, only six fonons were known to exist, representing the elements of Shadow, Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and Light; but eventually a mysterious “seventh fonon” controlling Sound, is discovered (and with it, great consequences).

Its discovery brings great chaos: using this newest Seventh Fonon allows one to foresee the future (oh noes, predicting the future stuffs again – but this time, it’s tastefully done!). One such Seventh Fonist, Yulia Jue, puts into effect a future for the world that for many millenia of years to come, with the promise of untold and unlimited prosperity to everyone when it ends.

This prophecy of the future’s set path becomes known as the “Score” and is documented on “Fonstones” (which are broken pieces of crystal from the outer ridge of the planet’s space) scattered throughout the world. The nations of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear and Malkuth have fought over the fragments of these tablets for generations, each uncovering them and hoping to discover the future before the other, as to obtain it for their own people.

Meanwhile, a holy order emerges dedicated to the reading of the Score and the keeping of the peace. The “Order of Lorelei” as it is called is headed by a ‘Fon Master’ (someone with extreme powers and an ability to read the fonstones) and maintains both religious and political and military branches (like guardian goverment for the world type of thing).

Finally, the Score and its promise of prosperity led to a dangerous complacency within the general population of Auldrant; the slaughter of an entire people living on the island-nation of ‘Hod’ and the downfall of that island are played off like nothing because it was predicted in the ‘Score’ (apparently, mass murder is okay if it leads to untold prosperity. who knew!?).

Luke Fon Fabre, the young son of Duke Fabre of the Kimlasca Kingdom is the Light of the Sacred Flame, the scion of Lorelei’s power, destined to bring prosperity written in the score, or so they believe, to Kimlasca. Since being kidnapped seven years ago by the Malkuth Empire, he has been kept confined to the Fabre family estate. The shock of the kidnapping has erased all of Luke’s memories prior to the event. So he goes through extensive retraining to speak, walk, and preform everyday tasks.

One fateful day while Luke is sparring with his sword teacher, a mysterious woman breaks into the mansion and sets off a chain of events that drag Luke into the center of a massive conflict between those who would do anything to see the Score carried out, and those who would see it broken forever. Which side is right? Watch and find out.

I was iffy at first because it was a game, but I came to love it as much as any other fantasy series I watched. My personal favorite character is Jade Curtiss, always so calculating and cold. I’m sure with the plethora of people they show in the series, you’ll find someone to identify with as well. I give this show a solid 4 out of 5. The story is enough to keep you going when there’s dry spots in the action. The game for the Ps2 was also superb, I highly recommend it to any gamer looking for a fun time with an RPG with an active battle system!