Sabikui Bisco

 A science fiction anime of this year, this series seemed well received in the anime community, so I gave it a watch.

A post apocalyptic story, it also seemed, well, weird from the trailers I saw of it.

After Japan gets as good as destroyed in an apocalyptic event, poisonous winds now blow over the arid landscape, which rusts away everything, even living beings.  It was seemingly caused by strange fungus spores, and wanted criminal Nisco Akaboshi, is an archer that spreads fungi to heal the land.  Alongside the giant crab Actagawa and a doctor called Milo Nekoyanagi he searches the wastelands for a mushroom that can remove all the poisonous rust that remains as the winds pass.

 

His teacher and travel companion Jabi gets gravely wounded by the assault of the corrupt governor, he brings him to the doctor, Milo Nekovanagi.  And that is how their journey together starts, as he needs a companion that can do the one thing he lacks: synthesize medicine.

He faces off against Milo's sister, Pawoo, who is captain of the Guard and also infected with the Rusting.  Their journey though as a new partnership starts a bit strained, as poor Milo has no idea on how the world works on the outside of his sheltered city.  Soon they are joined by Tirol, a former special agent from the governor.  But after they save her from a living temple, she runs off with their money.

They meet her again travelling a frozen landscape, as they hunt for a large prey to lure the Pipe Snake.  They overcome the huge monster, but as they try and make a cure, Pawoo is captured by the governor.  Milo sedates Bisco to go out and try to save her, using his newly gained mushroom knowledge to get her out.  But ultimately, it's Bisco saving him.  But the governor is stronger then he looks, forcing even Jabi to step in and try to hold him off as Milo and Bisco make their escape, Milo suffering serious injuries.

Bisco returns to save Jabi, coming down to a confrontation with the governor Kurokawa, ultimately tossing him in hot Rust, sinking in it with him and passing on his bow to Milo, asking him to end his life. Outside, it turns out a large Rust monster , Tetsujin, has been formed from the vat, starting to spread destruction. So now it comes down to Milo as the latest Mushroom Keeper to stop the beast.

 

Now, this is a WEIRD series, as you have hippo tanks, crabs for transport, giant mushrooms as weapons... so don`t expect your run of the mill standard post-apoc sci-fi series.