Fun fact, I used to always get this show confused with Akame ga Kill before I watched both of them.
Studio Trigger was founded back in 2011, and two years later they would release the short film Little Witch Academia. 2014 would see the release of the company’s very first original animated series, Kill la Kill.
Being their first full length series, Kill la Kill really needed to show what Trigger was made of, and the show does this in spades. Kill la Kill has pretty much everything going for it. It’s got style, flair, slick animation, great music, and last but not least, a super enjoyable cast.
Kill la Kill focuses on the exploits of a teenage girl named Ryuko Matoi. She’s a bit rough around the edges (of which she has plenty of), and initially comes across as your typical tomboy. But beneath this gruff exterior lies a girl with fierce determination, and a quest for revenge.
Shortly before the events of the series, Ryuko’s father, esteemed scientist Isshin Matoi, was the victim of a murder. Now, with one half of her father’s scissor blades in hand, Ryuko is on a mission to avenge her father’s death.
Ryuko’s journey takes her to Honnouji Academy, home to the fearsome Satsuki Kiryuin. Many high ranking students at the Academy wear Goku Uniforms, special outfits imbedded with mysterious life fibers which can grant an average person incredible strength.
After a pretty sound defeat at the hands of the Academy, Ryuko stumbles upon one more gift from her dad, a special uniform made entirely of life fibers known as a Kamui. As it turns out, Ryuko’s Kamui can actually talk, and his name is Senketsu.
Ryuko’s motivation is pretty solidly established in Kill la Kill’s first episode, but she soon discovers that herself and Senketsu are involved in a much grander narrative.
Throughout the series, Ryuko will do battle with various Academy students, meet a secret organization known as Nudist Beach, and both her and the viewer learn a lot about her past, and the origins of life fibers and Goku Uniforms as a whole.
The overarching narrative is pretty good stuff, and it gets more interesting and engaging as it progresses, right up to the finale in the 24th episode (though there is a special 25th one). There’s some really great character development across the board, most notably with Ryuko and Satsuki, and some genuinely surprising twists and turns.
Most of the major players in the cast are super likeable and memorable. Characters like the intimidating Satsuki, the consistently cheerful Mako and the staunchly loyal Gamagori help round out a really well balanced cast, and most of them have fantastic interactions with best girl Ryuko.
Ryuko’s personal character arc is a huge part of why I love Kill la Kill. She starts out as a reckless girl with a bad attitude and a knack for getting in trouble. Though she retains much of her trademark personality for the entire show, she does gain a new sense of maturity and responsibility to even herself out.
This is also shown in her fighting style. When she first starts fighting with Senketsu, Ryuko typically tries to win her battles with brute force alone. But after learning how to better synchronize with Senketsu, Ryuko becomes an extremely powerful fighter, all while being decked out in a less than conservative sailor uniform.
Kill la Kill really goes for it in terms of fan service. Both Ryuko and Satsuki’s Kamui transformations leave very little to the imagination, and there are plenty of boob and butt shots to go around. Kill la Kill even ties this into the plot, as there is a direct correlation between power level and how much clothing is touching the body.
Studio Trigger was founded largely by former Gainax animators, and their roots in over the top anime like Gurren Lagann really shine in Kill la Kill. The show excels at super exaggerated and action packed animation, and many of the fight sequences are a sight to behold. Everything in Kill la Kill is uniquely expressive, and makes the world as a whole feel much more alive.
Kill la Kill also features a pretty stellar soundtrack. The opening and ending songs are good in their own rights, but the various tunes that play over the actual show are an absolute pleasure.
I’d be remiss not to mention the famous Before my body is dry, which serves as somewhat of an unofficial theme song for Ryuko, and that song is every bit as good as everyone says it is.
Kill la Kill pretty much has it all when it comes to my personal tastes. It has a cool world, engaging story, great music and animation, and the memorable cast bring it all together. Studio Trigger really knocked it out of the park with Kill la Kill, and other series like Little Witch Academia and Kiznaiver show that they won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Oh yeah, another fun fact: Ryuko is voiced by Erica Mendez in the English dub, the same actress that portrays Akko Kagari from Little Witch Academia, and Diane from The Seven Deadly Sins.
