Eureka Seven returns in a brand new retelling of high quality anime studio Bones’ original series. Based on the first half of the mecha anime, Renton Thurston and Eureka meet for the first time once more, however this time we learn more about Eureka’s mysterious past and her connection to Renton’s father prior to their initial meeting with additional scenes not present within the original anime.

Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution 1 is the first of a three part anime film retelling of the anime franchise of the same name, it is produced by Studio Bones, and licensed by Funimation. It is currently available on DVD & Blu-Ray in English.

Editor’s Note: A Blu-Ray review copy of Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution 1 was provided by Funimation in support of this review. 

The past of Eureka and Renton are finally explored in excellent detail in Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution Part 1.

Finally after years of wondering we get to understand the backstory of Eureka Seven’s two lead characters. Acting as a slight remake of sorts, “Hi-Evolution” takes us back to the beginning providing us with a deeper understanding of Eureka’s history as well as that of Renton’s with some newly animated footage spread out through the film’s run time. Sure in the initial series’ release we got to know just what Eureka was as a species and had some knowledge of how she connected to Renton prior to their meeting, but it was extremely vague and never really fleshed out much further upon the final episode. While it may not seem like much initially, the additional footage really does a good job of putting the story within a new perspective.

Renton and Eureka return in an all-new retelling of Eureka Seven.

THE GOOD: Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution is a three part film retelling of the anime, the first film is focused on Renton & Eureka’s past and initial meeting, while the first sequel will apparently be focused on Eureka’s rival Anemone’s side of the story. Most of the film is the same as the source it follows, but new material is used to further explore Renton and Eureka’s lives part of which got missed out on in the original, including some new info on Renton’s father.

Eureka as she appears in the new film.

THE BAD: The new footage while appreciated, can get a bit lost in translation with the story we already know from time to time.

The Eureka Seven remake is off to a good start.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Admittedly things can get a little confusing from a story perspective for Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution, but as it goes on it eventually improves upon itself. The new footage is a grand welcome when you consider how little we still know about the two leads after completing the original series. Otaku Dome gives Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution an 80 out of 100.