Astartes
General Info
| Genres | Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Animation |
|---|---|
| Languages | en |
| Directed By | Syama Pedersen |
| Release Date | 2018-03-26 |
| Screenplay By | Syama Pedersen |
| TV Series Name | Astartes |
| Content Rating | 9.7 |
| Distributed By | YouTube |
| Original Title | Astartes |
| Country of Origin | NZ |
| Number of Seasons | 1 |
| Number of Episodes | 5 |
| World Premiere Date | 2018-03-26 |
Trailer
Episodes
Overview
It's a great picture of the bleak darkness of the distant future where only war takes place. The scale and intensity of the battle sequences, the visceral and unfiltered depiction of merciless warfare, and the power and might of the Astartes themselves are all on display. The plot is surrounded by an aura of mystery, encouraging the audience to dig deeper, decipher and decipher the events.
Despite being created by fans, the high-quality animation rivals professional versions. This is a passion project by a Warhammer enthusiast who has worked hard to capture every detail of the Space Marines and their gigantic warships and capture them in a visual spectacle. Each Space Marine is revealed to be a robed warrior monk, the product of rigorous psychoconditioning and cutting-edge physical training.
This spectacular series pays homage to the Warhammer 40k universe and is an intense and immersive journey into the heart of an epic sci-fi world for both veteran Warhammer fans and newcomers to the series.
Plot
As the series unfolds, viewers battle aliens, mutants, and worse. Each episode is a testament to the Astartes' unbreakable warrior spirit and unwavering loyalty to the Empire, emphasizing their role as humanity's defenders against the darkness. Following the battles of the Retributors, the series provides insight into the day-to-day existence of the Astartes in the grim darkness of the far future. From facing tyrannical warlords to battling treacherous heretics and monstrous demons, the courage and determination of the Retributors was revealed in the bloody expanse of space.
But the plot is much more than a monotonous war story. It also delves into the psyche of the Space Marines, hinting at the harsh indoctrination and immense sacrifice inherent in their existence. Grim determination, selfless heroism and the bleak, often tragic lives of the Astartes are all epitomized by the series. The plot of the Astartes TV series is a fitting tribute to the iconic Space Marines of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, showcasing not only their superhuman prowess in battle, but also their unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, unwavering courage, and most importantly, immortality. the spirit
Production
The quality level of this series is amazing. It's purely fan-made, but rivals, if not surpasses, studio-produced sci-fi animation. The lighting and character textures, the heart-wrenching sound design and the carefully choreographed action sequences create an atmosphere of fear and tension that is typical of the Warhammer experience. Astartes focuses on a squadron from the Retributors division, a Space Marine division created exclusively for the series. The animations show the Astartes in their element, as ruthless and effective warriors who display superhuman strength and combat prowess in every scene.
The projects took time to develop and iterate, and the creator struggled with long development periods, sometimes months between each episode. However, the end result is stunning and has received much acclaim from the Warhammer community, eventually winning awards from Games Workshop, the company behind Warhammer 40,000.
Astartes is a testament to the passion and creativity of the Warhammer community, showing what a dedicated fan can achieve with vision and craftsmanship. It perfectly represents the Warhammer 40,000 universe and sets the benchmark for other fan-made projects.
Release
The series consists of five short films, each lasting about a minute or two, that show a group of Space Marine Astartes in an intense, tense battle against heretical forces. The realistic portrayal of the Astartes – tall and ruthless super-soldiers augmented with the best technology and training humanity has to offer – resonated with fans and left them wanting more. In addition, Syama's own authentic sound design helped immerse the audience in the visceral and unforgiving world of Warhammer 40k.
Upon release, Astartes received critical acclaim, with fans praising its unwavering fidelity to the source material and the exceptional quality of the animation and sound design, which far exceeded expectations for a fan-made work. Astartes has forever cemented its place among Warhammer 40,000 fans and continues to be watched and praised, ensuring a solid legacy for the one developer who dared to dream.
Reception
The series was particularly praised for its realistic portrayal of the Space Marines, the towering superhuman warriors that typify the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Fans applauded how these series portrayed the tough and ruthless nature of these characters, something many felt was lacking in previous adaptations.
In addition to the positive reception among Warhammer enthusiasts, Astartes is known for its high-quality production values, proving that fan-made content can hold its own against professionally produced series. Its combination of gripping stories, action-packed sequences and well-crafted visuals have made it a standout on the Internet, and critics often call it a testament to the potential of fan-made projects.
Additionally, the series is credited with new audiences for the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, with many viewers reportedly delving into the board game, novels, and video games after watching the series. This, combined with positive critical reception, makes Astartes a high-quality stand-alone series and a compelling introduction to the richly detailed Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Cultural impact
The series sets a distinctive tone, portraying a gritty and unfiltered portrayal of the Space Marine archetype. This image reinvented the visual life of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, inspiring countless fan art interpretations and works of fiction that honor the unique style of the Astartes. The success of Astartes is also a testament to the growing popularity and cultural acceptance of fan-made content. The show's high-quality animation, despite being independent, has raised the profile of fan works and given them a platform to showcase their creativity and passion. This shift represents a more inclusive cultural approach to fan-generated content, recognizing its value in contributing to the cultural fabric of original intellectual property.
The cultural impact of the Astartes is extensive, contributing to the growing recognition of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The series' influence is evident in the increasing popularity of the universe's board games, merchandise, and literature. But Astartes' main cultural impact is probably how it managed to bridge the gap between the niche Warhammer 40,000 community and the wider sci-fi audience. Using a universal animation language and high-quality storytelling, Astartes was able to illustrate the appeal of the Warhammer 40,000 universe to the uninitiated, encouraging a deeper cultural appreciation of this complex and darkly intriguing universe.