About Back Arrow, the conviction-driven mecha anime

Back Arrow stands as an ambitious original anime that revolutionised mecha storytelling through its unique concept of conviction-powered mechanical armors in a world bounded by mysterious walls.

Created by the powerhouse collaboration of director Goro Taniguchi and writer Kazuki Nakashima, this groundbreaking series challenged conventional mecha design by making human belief the literal driving force behind giant robots.

The Back Arrow franchise features giant mechanical armors called Briheights, which manifest directly from a pilot’s conviction through devices called Bind Warpers. Unlike traditional mecha that rely on technology alone, these armors represent the physical manifestation of what their pilots believe in most deeply, creating a unique synthesis of psychological and mechanical storytelling.

Back Arrow aired as a single 24-episode series from January to June 2021, representing a complete standalone story within its distinctive fantasy-mecha universe. The series established a bold new approach to mecha anime that prioritised character conviction over technological complexity.

Back Arrow emerged as more than conventional robot entertainment, incorporating elements of fantasy adventure, political intrigue, and philosophical exploration of belief and identity. The creative team’s vision transformed familiar mecha tropes into something entirely fresh, creating a work that challenged both genre conventions and audience expectations.

This approach established Back Arrow as a significant entry in the evolution of mecha anime, demonstrating how the genre could adapt and innovate whilst maintaining its core appeal of spectacular mechanical action.

Lingalind universe

The world of Back Arrow takes place entirely within Lingalind, a continent completely surrounded by an impassable wall that the inhabitants worship as a god. This closed-world setting creates a unique fantasy-mecha environment where technology arrives mysteriously from beyond comprehension.

The people of Lingalind believe that all existence is contained within the wall, which protects and provides for them. Monthly deliveries called Rakuho fall from the sky, containing provisions, technology, and the precious Bind Warpers that allow individuals to manifest Briheights. The concept of anything existing “beyond the wall” is considered heretical and impossible.

The continent is dominated by two warring nations: The Republic of Lutoh, which values intelligence and diplomacy, and The Empire of Rekka, which prizes honour and strength. These nations constantly battle for control of territory and the valuable Rakuho capsules, with smaller territories caught between their conflicts.

The Lingalind universe features Briheights—giant mechanical armors that manifest from human conviction rather than traditional technology. These mecha are summoned through Bind Warpers, mystical armbands that translate abstract belief into tangible mechanical reality. The stronger and more focused a person’s conviction, the more powerful their Briheight becomes.

Notable works in the Lingalind universe:

Back Arrow (2021)

The series follows Back Arrow, an amnesiac man who claims to come from “beyond the wall”—a concept that challenges the fundamental beliefs of Lingalind society. His ability to manifest a Briheight without possessing a conventional conviction creates a mystery that drives the entire narrative, ultimately revealing the truth about Lingalind’s existence and purpose.

History of Back Arrow

Creation and development

In late 2019, Aniplex announced an ambitious collaboration that would bring together two of anime’s most respected creators. Goro Taniguchi, the visionary director behind the legendary Code Geass series, partnered with Kazuki Nakashima, the acclaimed writer responsible for genre-defining works like Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Kill la Kill, and Promare.

This partnership represented a meeting of creative minds known for pushing boundaries within their respective specialties. Taniguchi brought his expertise in complex political narratives, strategic storytelling, and character-driven mecha action, whilst Nakashima contributed his talent for explosive, emotion-driven narratives that seamlessly blend the fantastical with the mechanical. Their collaboration promised to create something unprecedented in the mecha genre.

Studio VOLN was selected to handle animation production, marking one of their most high-profile and ambitious projects. The relatively young studio, known for their emotionally resonant work on films like I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, demonstrated their capability for handling both intimate character moments and spectacular action sequences, making them an ideal choice for Back Arrow’s unique requirements.

Revolutionary design philosophy

The creative team enlisted Hidetaka Tenjin, the legendary mecha illustrator renowned for his photorealistic work on the Macross and Gundam franchises, to design the series’ distinctive Briheights. This collaboration marked Tenjin’s second major original mecha design project, following his acclaimed work on Super Robot Wars T.

Tenjin’s approach to the Briheights deliberately broke conventional mecha design rules by creating armors that appeared more organic and mystical than purely mechanical. Each Briheight was designed to reflect its pilot’s inner conviction, resulting in unique forms that blur the traditional line between technology and magic. This philosophical approach influenced every aspect of the design process, from colour schemes to proportions.

The development of Bind Warpers—the armband devices that allow Briheight manifestation—evolved through extensive discussions about transformation mechanics and audience engagement. Rather than traditional cockpit entry sequences, the team wanted something more immediate and personal. The bracelet-based system that literally binds the pilot’s conviction to their mechanical armor emerged as the perfect solution, creating transformation sequences that felt both mystical and technological.

Thematic innovation and narrative approach

Kazuki Nakashima made the unprecedented decision to personally write every episode script, ensuring complete thematic consistency throughout the 24-episode run. This level of direct writer involvement, rare in modern anime production, allowed for intricate character development and philosophical exploration that many multi-writer series struggle to achieve.

The series’ central theme of conviction as literal power reflected contemporary anxieties about belief, identity, and purpose in an increasingly uncertain world. By making abstract concepts like determination, faith, and personal conviction into tangible mechanical force, Back Arrow created a unique commentary on the power of human belief and the strength found in unwavering purpose.

The mysterious wall surrounding Lingalind serves multiple narrative functions: as a literal barrier protecting the inhabitants, a metaphorical representation of closed-minded thinking, and a symbol of the comfort found in accepted limitations. Back Arrow’s claim to come from “beyond the wall” challenges not just the characters’ fundamental worldview but invites viewers to question their own assumptions about possibility, limitation, and the nature of reality itself.

Production excellence and challenges

Back Arrow aired from January to June 2021 across two consecutive cours, a scheduling decision that allowed for comprehensive storytelling without the narrative breaks that often fragment anime series. This continuous production schedule enabled the creative team to maintain momentum whilst building towards the series’ philosophical and action climaxes.

The series benefited significantly from Kohei Tanaka’s memorable musical score, which skillfully blended orchestral grandeur with more intimate character themes. Tanaka’s experience with epic narratives from works like Sakura Wars and Gunbuster proved invaluable in creating music that supported both spectacular Briheight battles and quiet character moments.

The opening themes “dawn” by LiSA and “Heartbeat” by Eir Aoi perfectly captured the series’ blend of epic adventure and personal journey, whilst ending themes by Shuka Saito and FLOW provided emotional resonance that complemented the character development and philosophical themes explored in each episode.

Despite the impressive creative pedigree and innovative conceptual approach, Back Arrow faced significant challenges in building a lasting commercial fanbase. The series’ unique blend of fantasy and mecha elements created a distinctive viewing experience that appealed strongly to some audiences whilst confusing others who expected more conventional robot action or clearer genre boundaries.

Commercial reception and industry impact

Model kit sales for the Briheights proved disappointing from a commercial perspective, with Bandai releasing only Robot Damashii figures for the protagonist’s Muga and the antagonist’s Gigan before discontinuing the entire product line. The lack of traditional mecha appeal—combined with the series’ fantasy elements—created marketing challenges that affected merchandise success.

However, the series found greater appreciation among critics and industry professionals who recognised its ambitious attempt to evolve mecha storytelling. The conviction-based power system influenced subsequent discussions about genre definitions and the potential future directions for mecha anime as a creative medium.

The successful collaboration between Taniguchi and Nakashima demonstrated that creators from different creative schools could merge their approaches effectively, inspiring industry discussions about cross-pollination between different directorial and writing styles within anime production.

Conviction-powered technology

The central innovation of Back Arrow lies in its revolutionary approach to mecha operation through the philosophical concept of conviction. Rather than traditional piloting skills, technological interfaces, or physical training, Briheights manifest directly from the absolute strength of an individual’s beliefs and convictions about their purpose and values.

This system creates an unprecedented relationship between pilot psychology and mechanical capability, where the armor’s appearance, special abilities, and raw power level directly reflect the pilot’s inner certainty about their fundamental beliefs. Weak, conflicted, or uncertain convictions result in unstable or underpowered Briheights, whilst absolute certainty and unwavering belief produce formidable mechanical champions capable of extraordinary feats.

The Bind Warpers serve as mystical conduits for this manifestation process, translating abstract human conviction into tangible mechanical reality through processes that blend science fiction with fantasy elements. This approach eliminates traditional concerns about technological training, mechanical maintenance, or equipment limitations, instead focusing entirely on the pilot’s mental, emotional, and spiritual state.

The philosophical implications of this system extend throughout the series, as characters must confront the nature of their deepest beliefs whilst engaging in spectacular mechanical combat. This creates a unique form of character development where internal growth directly translates to increased combat capability and mecha evolution.

Animation and design innovation

Visual storytelling techniques

Back Arrow pushed animation boundaries through its innovative combination of traditional 2D character animation with cutting-edge 3D Briheight sequences. Studio VOLN developed new techniques for seamlessly blending these different animation styles, creating action sequences that felt cohesive despite their technical complexity.

The series’ visual language evolved throughout its run, with later episodes featuring Back Arrow’s Muga rendered in 2D animation during crucial emotional moments. This deliberate shift from 3D to 2D served narrative purposes, emphasising the increasing connection between pilot and machine as the series explored deeper philosophical themes.

Mechanical design philosophy

Hidetaka Tenjin’s approach to Briheight design represented a fundamental departure from traditional mecha aesthetics. Rather than emphasising technological complexity or military functionality, each design prioritised symbolic representation of its pilot’s core beliefs and convictions.

This philosophy resulted in mecha that appeared more like mystical guardians than military equipment, with organic curves, flowing lines, and colour schemes that reflected psychological states rather than practical considerations. The designs successfully communicated the series’ central theme that technology serves as an extension of human will and belief.

Cultural significance and legacy

Industry influence

Back Arrow arrived during a period of experimentation within the mecha genre, as creators sought new approaches to revitalise audience interest in giant robot narratives. The series’ conviction-based power system offered a fresh perspective on human-machine relationships that influenced subsequent discussions about genre evolution and innovation possibilities.

The successful creative collaboration between Goro Taniguchi and Kazuki Nakashima demonstrated how established creators could continue to innovate and surprise audiences through strategic partnerships. Their synthesis of political intrigue with explosive emotional storytelling created a template for future collaborative projects.

Thematic resonance

The series’ exploration of belief, conviction, and the power of unwavering purpose resonated with contemporary audiences facing global uncertainty and rapid social change. Back Arrow’s message that absolute conviction can literally reshape reality spoke to viewers seeking meaning and direction in an increasingly complex world.

The show’s willingness to question fundamental assumptions about reality, possibility, and limitation established it as a work that anticipates growing interest in philosophical themes within entertainment media. Its approach to depicting the literal power of belief provided a unique commentary on faith, determination, and human potential.

Technical innovation legacy

The animation techniques developed for Back Arrow’s hybrid 2D/3D approach influenced subsequent mecha productions, demonstrating new possibilities for seamlessly combining different animation methods. The series’ visual innovations contributed to ongoing industry discussions about the future of mecha animation and design.

Hidetaka Tenjin’s Briheight designs, whilst commercially unsuccessful, established new aesthetic possibilities for mecha that blend mechanical precision with organic mysticism. These designs continue to influence discussions about the visual language of conviction-based technology in contemporary science fiction.

Legacy of Back Arrow

Influence on mecha storytelling

Back Arrow represents a significant experiment in mecha anime evolution, demonstrating how established creators could collaborate to push genre boundaries whilst maintaining the spectacular action that defines the medium. The series’ conviction-based power system influenced ongoing discussions about what constitutes mecha anime and how the genre might continue to evolve in response to changing audience expectations.

The franchise’s approach to depicting human-machine relationships through philosophical rather than technological lenses opened new possibilities for character development and thematic exploration within the mecha genre. This innovation provided a template for future series seeking to differentiate themselves through unique power systems and narrative approaches.

Creative collaboration model

The successful partnership between Goro Taniguchi and Kazuki Nakashima established a new model for creative collaboration within anime production. Their ability to merge structured political storytelling with explosive emotional narratives demonstrated how different creative approaches could synthesise effectively, inspiring subsequent cross-pollination between different creative schools.

This collaborative success opened possibilities for future projects that combine established creators from different specialties, suggesting new approaches to talent utilisation and creative innovation within the industry.

Philosophical contribution

Back Arrow’s exploration of belief as literal power anticipated growing interest in psychological and philosophical themes within contemporary mecha anime. The series’ willingness to question fundamental assumptions about reality and possibility established it as a work ahead of its time, one that may gain greater appreciation as the genre continues to evolve towards more introspective storytelling.

The franchise’s central message about the transformative power of unwavering conviction continues to resonate with audiences seeking meaning and purpose, ensuring its relevance beyond its original broadcast period.

Back Arrow experience

Viewing Back Arrow

Experiencing Back Arrow requires openness to genre experimentation and philosophical exploration alongside spectacular mecha action. The series rewards viewers who engage with its unique blend of fantasy adventure and conviction-based technology, as its thematic depth becomes more apparent through careful attention to character development and world-building details.

The show’s distinctive approach to mecha storytelling can initially challenge expectations, particularly for viewers anticipating traditional technological explanations for giant robot capabilities. However, the series’ commitment to its philosophical foundation creates a viewing experience unlike any other in the mecha genre.

Thematic engagement

Back Arrow’s exploration of conviction, belief, and the nature of reality invites active viewer participation in philosophical discussions about the power of human determination. The series’ symbolic density and thematic complexity reward multiple viewings, as each encounter reveals new layers of meaning and character development.

The franchise’s unique approach to depicting the literal power of belief creates opportunities for personal reflection on the role of conviction in individual growth and achievement, making it particularly resonant for viewers facing their own challenges and uncertainties.

Conclusion

Back Arrow stands as more than conventional entertainment—it represents a bold experiment in mecha storytelling that proved the genre’s capacity for continued innovation and philosophical depth. Through its revolutionary conviction-based power system, its innovative visual design, and its successful creative collaboration, the franchise established new possibilities for human-machine relationships in animated science fiction.

The series’ central message about the transformative power of absolute conviction, combined with its spectacular mechanical action and emotional character development, creates a unique viewing experience that challenges genre conventions whilst delivering the excitement audiences expect from mecha anime. This synthesis of innovation and tradition ensures Back Arrow’s lasting significance within the evolution of the mecha genre.

As both a showcase for creative collaboration and a window into new possibilities for conviction-based storytelling, Back Arrow remains a testament to anime’s capacity for continued evolution and surprise. The franchise’s exploration of belief, determination, and human potential provides a foundation for future innovations whilst offering immediate entertainment value through its spectacular Briheight battles and character-driven narratives.

The series’ lasting legacy lies not in its commercial success but in its demonstration that mecha anime can continue to evolve, adapt, and surprise audiences through bold creative vision and unwavering commitment to thematic innovation.