A unique new anime has started airing this winter. Rust-Eater Bisco, or Sabikui Bisco, is an interesting blend of the post-apocalypse and fantasy genres. It's set in a world where rust ravages everything, including people. The world's best hope is Akaboshi Bisco, an archer who uses rust-eating mushrooms, and his androgynous doctor partner Nekoyanagi Milo. These two go on a journey through fantastical wastelands helping whoever they come across, running from the law and searching for the fabled Sabikui mushroom that can heal all forms of rust.
For how unique the setting is, there are also some familiar beats to its story. The fantastical, lawless wasteland is reminiscent of Trigun. Meanwhile, the cynical, grimy urban elements and other aesthetic choices are reminiscent of Dorohedoro. Judging by the first episode and promotional material for Rust-Eater Bisco, fans of either Trigun or Dorohedoro might want to check this anime out.
Just in its first episode, Rust-Eater Bisco draws plenty of parallels to Trigun, starting with the setting. Both series take place in semi-futuristic worlds where people use a mix of old and new technologies. Both worlds are dangerous wastelands where it's difficult for the average person to survive due to the unforgivable conditions. Trigun is set in the distant future on a desert planet where people have trouble finding water or growing plants. In Rust-Eater Bisco, the world is covered with rust that has eaten away much of civilization. Surviving in either world requires strength, willpower and luck.
Rust-Eater Bisco's setting also draws some parallels to Dorohedoro. Both shows give their backgrounds a run-down look that the characters either can't or don't really want to do anything about. In Rust-Eater Bisco, this is mainly caused by the rust, which is ubiquitous and thus pointless to try and remove; besides, if the rust were that easy to clean up, the show would be missing a key reason for its premise. Dorohedoro's characters, on the other hand, live in terrible conditions because of their world(s) being filled to the brim with dark magic, death and decay. Everybody in each series seems to have grown accustomed to their squalid living conditions and grown virtually numb to them.
There are also some parallels to be drawn between Rust-Eater Bisco's and Trigun's protagonists. Both leads are wanted criminals whose crimes are greatly exaggerated by the law. They have high bounties on their heads by their series' standards; Vash is worth $$60,000,000,000 (sixty billion double dollars) while Bisco is worth 800,000 of his world's currency. They also both have dangerous-sounding nicknames; Bisco is known as the "Man-Eating Mushroom," while Vash the Stampede's real name is much too long for anyone to remember, so he's more commonly referred to by his outlaw name. They both try to do right by whoever they come across but are ultimately feared and loathed by the masses.
As far as personality goes, Bisco is much closer to Dorohedoro's Caiman than he is to Vash. Both of these characters are hotblooded and go about their business in chaotic and raucous manners. They also have some pretty unique, compulsory actions that they take during their fights; Bisco tries to plant as many rust-eating mushrooms as possible, while Caiman bites the heads of sorcerers to find the one who turned him into a lizard. Vash, in contrast, is a gentle and easygoing character who tries to end fights quickly and with as little collateral damage as possible. Bisco might resonate with a guy like Caiman, although if his apparent relationship with Milo is any indicator, he might also get along with Vash.
Speaking of Milo, the supporting cast is also reminiscent of Trigun. Milo Nekoyanagi seems to be the Meryl Stryfe of the series; he'll take responsibility for observing Bisco's actions while keeping him in check. In Milo's case, he's a doctor looking into the medicinal properties of mushrooms, so he takes a particular interest in Bisco. As for Meryl, she works for the Bernardelli Insurance Society and must investigate any claims related to Vash the Stampede. Both of these characters also come across as androgynous ship bait. In this latter regard, Nikaido of Dorohedoro also fits the mold.
Further comparisons between these shows will have to wait. So far, the anime for Rust-Eater Bisco has only just begun airing. The light novel series it's adapted from remains largely untranslated in English. Thus, any information about the series is sparse. If there are any more relationships between this series and either Dorohedoro or Trigun, they will be better seen once more episodes of the anime are out.
So far, Rust-Eater Bisco seems like a worthwhile watch for anyone who enjoys action fantasy anime like Dorohedoro and Trigun. Based on what's been shown so far, the series promises to be action-packed, visually marvelous and engagingly well-written. Even without being compared to other shows, Rust-Eater Bisco seems like an entertaining story in its own right.
