REVIEW: K: Missing Kings

K: Missing Kings is the feature length sequel to the anime series simply titled “K.” For a twelve episode first season, K is one of the anime I’ve had the hardest time finishing. I actually did like it. After just the first episode I fell in love with the visuals, the characters, and the action. There was just something about the way the story was told that had me taking weeks off between episodes. Luckily, by the time I finished the series I was pumped for the movie.

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of K: Missing Kings courtesy of VIZ Media.

Opinions are my own.

Picking up one year after the first season, Silver Clan members Kuro and Neko are on a mission to find their king, Shiro, who went missing after the battle on the School Island involving four of the seven colored kings. During their search, the two discover that Red Clan member Anna Kushina has become the target of the mysterious Green Clan, which intends to use the girl’s special power to track down Shiro. Now the Silver Clan and Red Clan find themselves joining forces to protect Shiro and Anna from this new threat. But will this unexpected alliance be enough to counter the Green Clan’s top fighters, as well as its king?

This movie feels a lot more focused than the first season did. All major characters have been established so there are few expository flashbacks and a lot more of the wicked sick action the series is known for. Lots of flips and kicks and sword fights and glowing auras (green ones this time!) and everyone looks super cool the whole time. After Shiro’s apparent death in the finale, he isn’t exactly around much this time around. Instead, we mostly follow Kuro and Neko as they encounter the Green Clan for the first time. While the Reds are a street gang and Blues are some sort of military/police force, the Greens seem to function like Yakuza with motorcycles and a ninja.

Surprisingly, the character that gets the most development is Anna Kushina. When I read her name on the back of the case I thought she was a new character, but it turns out she was a minor side character in the series. I didn’t even know she had a name!

Anna is a member of HOMRA, the Red gang of hot-headed delinquents. HOMRA’s been more or less disbanded after the death of their King in the finale, and yet somehow they steal the show here. Yata, probably my favorite character from the series, is the only member of HOMRA who is still loyal to their dead king. This loyalty is what causes him to team up with Kuro to rescue Anna.

I like the idea of a movie sequel to a series and am glad it’s more of a stepping stone between seasons and not a full replacement for a second season like what Eden of the East did. Missing Kings is a fun, action-packed adventure. The Green Clan are pretty cool (their King may or may not be a bird) and I can say that, without getting into spoilers, the focus put on Anna is pretty great and makes me happy the entirety of HOMRA wasn’t written out of the show after their King’s death. This movie is awesome. It definitely requires watching the first season to understand, but luckily that’s on Netflix.

Pick up your copy of K: Missing Kings today!