Kantai Collection The Movie (Movie)

It's the 100th article therefore i write something (maybe) different: a review on Kantai Collection The Movie (2016). For those who don't know what's Kantai Collection (which often abbreviated as KanColl) is web strategy game where you manage girls who are actually Japanese ships in World War 2 period. By the way, i don't play it. I only watch the anime series and some of manga spinoff, so excuse me for my limited knowledge.

For some reason, the movie starts with Destroyer Fubuki sinks into depth of the ocean without any explanation. Her torpedoes release from her torpedo launcher and also fall to seabed. Luckily, they're inactive thus saving her from unnecessary underwater explosion.

 

Then the perspective change to two groups that's led by Heavy Cruiser Kako and Heavy Cruiser Choukai. Each of group consists of 4 cruisers and no other class ship. That's average vanguard, i think. If this situation will become night battle, someone is missing in the group. Of course, i'm talking about the night-battle maniac specialist: Light Cruiser Sendai.

Then here comes the title with official logo of KanColle. Nice sea view, by the way.

Everything remains peaceful on the next night therefore there's time for equipment fairies to check on Kako's  battery cannons. They are cute. :3

 

Until they spot the enemy: Abyssal fleet which consist of (as i can observe) destroyers and cruisers. If you wonder what they look like...

 

Here they are. Their fashion is monochrome and in creepy sense what's with shark-like form on their part while the destroyers are pure shark with legs. Also most of their eyes are red.    

 

One of them try to fight in close quarter combat! To quote commentator in Wrestlemania "Is that legal?"    

 

Light Cruiser Tenryū readies uses her sword to deflect that cruiser's shells and later blast it with her side cannons. Engineer_goodjob03.wav

 

Another enemy group don't spot Choukai's group. So she lit them with searchlight making them vulnerable but she become sitting duck and suffer slight injury.

The groups keep continue the mission to destroy enemy base here. I'm pessimist with their action as they only consist of 8 cruisers and Choukai suffer injury. But they succeed nonetheless. I start to think that the abyssal fleet is pushover. 

The dawn arrives as the enemy base is completely obliterated which turns the water's color into red like blood. Demoman_sf12_badmagic11.wav

One of sunken destroyer spat some naked lass. She floats on surface and later picked up by the cruiser group.

The success of the cruiser group partially thanks to air support that's provided by carrier group. Light Cruiser Ryūjou is on it. I thought every carrier launches her plane with bow,  turns out not. Ryūjou here using magic scroll as flight deck while her planes start from shikigami papers and become proper airplanes once they leave the deck. Medic_sf12_badmagic07.wav  

Carriers can't stand on their own. They need escort usually by cruisers and/or destroyer. Speaking of destroyer, there's Fubuki looks well and such. So that was foreshadowing trailer, maybe? 

Due to the change on the water that makes equipments corroded, Ryūjou suddenly stumble on water. I really like her funny face there. I'm meant it. Anyway besides  change on water, there's also mysterious voice. The mystery is thicken.

Next Day...

AAAAH! Seagull! I thought this miserable critter extinct here due to sea battles that take practically everywhere. D:

This is more like it. The naked girl is Kisaragi, the second ship of Mutsuki class. She sank in one of episode of anime series and finally reunite with her first ship/older sister Mutsuki who's redheaded girl on the center of the trio there.

After some dramatic scene, Kisaragi immediately report her return. Very immediately that she still on her bath robe. At glance she looks fine, but Carrier Kaga (on the most left) spot strange bruise on Kisaragi's arm. Some contagious disease, maybe?

At night...

There's party here to celebrate the successful attack that day. Battleship Nagato here deliver opening speech to the party while also congratulate those who are on it. She may looks stiff and serious but she care for her comrade.

There's Kumano and Suzuya (the most famous pair #2) on the queue of steak stall. You should be quicker on it, Kumano. Suzuya may don't mind about your slackness but Destroyer Ayanami is getting impatient there. The one who is in charge of this stall is the "Hotel"

Oh, sorry! I mean Battleship Yamato. The reason why she's called hotel is she cost so much  fuel to deploy therefore she's forced to stay at some branch headquarter and provide lodging there. Also she's really good at it. That's what i know from one of anime episode.

Meanwhile, some destroyer gather on mat discussing about that strange voice. Amatsukaze  the one with twintail on most left of the group, says that it must be only wind. That's very funny, Amatsukaze. As your name contain word 'kaze' which means wind. :p

The discussion about the voice gives Tenryū the creeps especially when it got related to ghost. Her 2nd ship/younger sister Tatsuta tease her with scary thought about it. She's kind of jerk.

Meanwhile Kaga remember when she sunk and resurface but she stand alongside the abyssal ships and later got bombed right between her eyes. Poor git.

Suddenly she's awake from her miserable memory by her frenemy Carrier Zuikaku. They talk about Kisaragi a bit before Kaga walks away. What a good attitude on conversation [Medium Sarcasm].

Later on, hotel Yamato hears the voice. It seems getting stronger than before as the source is very far from here.

Next morning...

The trio destroyer (Yuudachi, Fubuki, and Mutsuki) went to Kisaragi's room. Instead of waking her soon, Mutsuki is watching Kisaragi's sleeping face for quite long time. Yep. She's big creep.

Meanwhile, there's meeting about the voice source. It's identified as Ironbottom Sound which is a channel where tons of ship sank. I can't imagine Ironbottom as name of channel. Instead i imagine it to be some disciplined yet jolly fat marine officer of 17th century. That's because i read Le Vieux Nick et Barbe-Noire (Old Nick and Blackbeard)  many times when i was kid.

But the meeting is interrupted by Fast Battleship Hiei to inform that a ship crane is damaged. It's accidently blasted by Kisaragi. It seems she's not fully "re-converted" into ship girl. Later, Kaga arrives at the scene. Seeing this accident, she discuss with Nagato about Kisaragi's condition to the trio. At first, Nagato wants to do that but later agree to let Kaga do it.    

 

Meanwhile, Mutsuki bring porridge to Kisaragi as she didn't eat much yesterday. After taking few spoons of it, she begins to cry and tell anyone that she feels something strange within herself and she afraid that she will attack everyone here. As the porridge is on her lap, i'm worried that the porridge get mixed with her tear, making it tastes bad.

That night Kaga along with her senior Carrier Akagi the glutton, tells the trio that Kisaragi isn't what she known before and she will turn into abyssal ship (again) soon or later. But there's hope. Kaga also once ex-abyssal ship but she's considered well now although she keep bearing deep sorrow and frustration when she sunk or turn into abyssal ship. That explains why she always look frown with just little hint of happiness on her face. Care to guess what's the solution for Kisaragi illness?

Why, of course! Beat her again like in any case of brainwashed friend in many videogames. The thought of sinking Kisaragi, makes Mutsuki feels very sad and guess what? Without them notice, Kisaragi hear this conversation. With this fact, there's rather shocking theory that the war that they fought could be endless as ship girl who's sunken by abyssal vessel will be one of them and vice versa.

In the next morning...

 

The report regarding early investigation of the mysterious voice, has arrived. The polluted water spreads to second circle by one day. If 3 days and seven hours has passed, it reaches the most outer circle which includes this base territory. Plus there's more than 6 enemy fleets come from north, attracted by the voice. The situation grows dire. Also there's report that everyone who enter the crimson water got their equipment damaged but not Fubuki's.  

Light Cruiser Yuubari and Repair Ship Akashi who charged with everyone's equipments, confirm that report. Akagi and Kaga will investigate this further by talking to Fubuki personally.

She is caught with her cloth being disheveled due to some prank. "This isn't what it looks like" cliché check!

 

Meanwhile Kisaragi form is getting worse. She tried to scrub the abyssal infection on her arm but with no avail. Mutsuki catch her doing so, and she tries to runaway. But Mutsuki can grab her arm and later comfort.  

Fubuki shows loss memory in the interview. For example, she can't answer what division she was in. At the night, she's chilling in the shore and later Yamato joins her. Fubuki is bothered by the fact the battle seems endless cycle. Yamato encourages her with speak of ship girl's existence to protect friend and there's hope to end this war.

With the fact that Fubuki is bit amnesiac and there's fact that the voice appears when Fubuki arrives, Nagato is convinced that she has something to do with the voice source. Then she make full-scale operation plan that involves everyone here.

With that, the fairies are busy make preparation on everyone's equipments. Look at them go! So cute! :3

Mutsuki have some words to Kisaragi before the mission begins. I hate to break it to you, Mutsuki. But Isn't that what Kisaragi said to you before she sank? Just a thought. :p

Everyone is ready to go including the one i missed: Light Cruiser Sendai "the night-battle enthusiast", along with all her sister ship: Light Cruiser Jintsu (who usually portrayed as strict-in-discipline person) on the left of her and Light Cruiser Naka (the self-proclaimed idol) on the right of her. I have high hope on her regarding night battle.

Remember when i say that Kaga usually looks grumpy? She shows a bit affection to her frenemy Zuikaku before departure. Last night, Zuikaku said about what if she sinks and Kaga dislike that thought. Later, she apologizes about that and Kaga forgive her also pet her head.

Here's mission briefing from Nagato: the mission involves 4 fleets. 1st fleet will bait the incoming abyssal fleet so that 2nd fleet can go to the voice's source. Once 1st fleet bait the enemies far enough in north, 3rd fleet will assist 1st fleet. 4th fleet will defend the base. Obviously, Fubuki is in 2nd fleet.

Akagi and Kaga manage to lure the abyssal fleet with their airplanes. Some of enemy's planes are about to charge at Zuikaku but luckily Fast Battleship Kongou intercept them just in time. That was close.

Later that night, 2nd fleet encounter enemies. When Torpedo Cruiser Kitakami and Ooi (the most famous pair #1) are about to engage the enemies, Yuudachi charges between them and steal their kills. Sniper_goodjob02.wav

Suddenly enemy battleships ambush them. Fast Battleship Hiei (the flagship of 2nd fleet) got injured pretty bad but she force herself to lit them with searchlight.

With that, Yamato are able to target them with her heavy arsenal. What a huge blast! No wonder, she is so costly to deploy.

As Hiei is damaged pretty bad, she has to retreat along with other who are injured including Sendai (noooo!) also Kitakami & Ooi who have depleted their torpedoes. Therefore Yamato will be the flagship of the remaining fleet.

Heavy_negativevocalization02.wav. The retreating group is ambushed by enemies. As there's Sendai in the group, they will be fine. Maybe.  

 

If you wonder about how the mysterious voice looks like, there it is. It's pillar of dark-blue light. Looks generic but also awesome. Because of another attack by the enemies, Kako is quite severely damaged, forcing to retreat. Yuudachi and Jintsu have to escort her. That means, the only ship left to carry on with the mission: Yamato, Fubuki, and Mutsuki. Can 2 destroyers and 1 battleship accomplish this mission?

Later, Yamato blocks enemy's torpedo with her rig and cannons which target Fubuki. She knows that Fubuki has vital role in this mission even though i'm not sure yet what Fubuki can do about that mysterious thing. Nonetheless, Yamato shows remarkable act of tanking and she deserves a medal for it. Pyro_goodjob01.wav

One of abyssal cruiser grab Mutsuki, pinning her down. Yamato is heavily injured while Fubuki is stuck within enemy's bombardment. This situation seems hopeless.

As the enemy cruiser is about to shoot Mutsuki, a destroyer blast it and saving her in the nick of time. Said destroyer also blast any enemy destroyer who come at her. Who is she?

It's Kisaragi! She may look bit hideous but she's still on Mutsuki's side. Strangely under heavy bombardment of enemy's, she calmly talks to Mutsuki and tell Fubuki that someone in that mysterious thing is waiting for her. At this point, i was really hoping that it was another Fubuki's class ship thus explaining why Fubuki is unaffected by the polluted water.  

With Mutsuki and Kisaragi dealing with the enemies, Fubuki is able to approach the mysterious voice source. Free fall!!!!

And now she sink just like in that trailer except the water is clearly different. Either the trailer lies or it happens sometime in the past.

As Fubuki slowly descend to ship graveyard below, the mysterious voice introduce itself as the Ironbottom Sound itself. It tells that there's lots of ships sink here and Fubuki is one of them. Later, Fubuki is in long corridor with some white figure across her. This could be a scene from some Japanese School Horror Story.

After The Ironbottom Sounds narrates about Fubuki is free from sad memory and despair, thus making her free from the endless cycle of ship girl-abyssal vessel. Therefore the abyssal side of her stays in this depth and that's how this Ironbottom Sounds girl is born. Now, she wants Fubuki to vanish in this forsaken place. If only she still carry her cannon, she could break free.

While she's shackled, Fubuki realize that she's symbol of hope. Everyone's hope to move forward and fight through this battle. Maybe, said desire is that bright string that separates Fubuki from her despair side and resurface once she sinks. Bit confusing, i know.

Suddenly Fubuki free from the shackle and this once ship graveyard full of despair turn into red lily field. I know these flowers represent hope but i can't forget them as symbol of sadness as hinted in 'Bleeding Spider Lily' mission on Nioh. Later Fubuki manage to hug her abyssal side and comfort her. Maybe it's just me, but i expect some more action-y solution. For example: instead of comforting my (more) evil self, i'm eager to beat the hell out of it. I'm brutal sod, afterall.  

With that, the pillar of dark-blue light is disappeared and the water turns normal. The surrounding is basked with some heavenly light that erase the enemies around and unfortunately Kisaragi too. Her reunion with her elder sister is kind of short-lived.   

Later on, Fubuki steps on shore while releasing her rig and cannon. Hey, put your equipments properly! You're littering around plus you may damage your equipments. Be more responsible! >:I

Kaga and Akagi welcomes her warmly. Then, three of them watching sunrise and ocean that's recently restored thanks to Fubuki. And her comrades too. Don't forget them!

Next morning on Main HQ...

The trio destroyer live the day like usual: Fubuki goes to another mission, Mutsuki making riceball for her lunch, and Yuudachi does bit-shameful thing. While she still half-asleep, she eat one of the riceball, and rolling away. She's careless to own her manner, i see.

Fubuki will go on a mission with Destroyer Akatsuki and Ayanami. Before she takes off, she makes promise to herself or to be more precise her abyssal self that she will bring peace to ocean someday in future. But there's more! In post-credit trailer, Mutsuki go to the anchor monument and find Kisaragi near there. Thanks to admiral's lucky gacha draw some miracle, Mutsuki and Kisaragi can reunite again. For real this time.

Kantai Collection The Movie (2016) is the movie of KanColl anime series (obviously, duh!). Therefore those who haven't watch the series yet, will most likely can't enjoy the movie or feel familiar with anything there. Except, if you're player of the game. Maybe. The main plot is okay but the anti-climax phase is kind of lackluster. Because it's just Fubuki have to meet her evil self and negotiate her by showing her hope and care. That's quite disappointing to me. I prefer that the cause of the mysterious phenomena is other Fubuki-class ships forming some eldritch circle to summon their first ship to sink along with them and the solution is more or less the same. But that just my personal opinion. As to why Fubuki is the symbol of hope or what have you? The answer is simple: because she's the main protagonist. Although she doesn't have more screen time from -for example- Nagato or Kaga. I mean, not in significant amount. Moreover, i feel that Kisaragi is the heroic ones what's with that dramatic rescue moment. At least, i saw quite spectacular battle scenes. Quite lots of them. Also there's the most entertaining part to me: Ryūjou's funny face when stumbled or the fact that the tomboy eye-patched Tenryū is scared to supernatural stuff.

I can't recommend you to watch this movie if you don't familiar enough with KanColl or its anime series spin-off. And that's why i'm here, to give you (hopefully) entertaining synopsis without sacrificing yourself *Heh!*. Maybe it's enough for you if you just read my article and not watch it by yourself. If not, go ahead! It's pretty good to me despite of the aforementioned disappointment.