Fasten your seatbelts for a new heart-pounding, action-packed sci-fi anime from Animax (Japan). Viper's Creed is directed by Shinji Aramaki, the man behind other sci-fi hits such as the Appleseed movies and the three Megazone 23 films.
Aramaki was also involved in shows like Astro Boy, Project Blue Earth SOS and Wolf's Rain. Handling animation production is Sony Pictures Entertainment whose previous work includes Resident Evil: Degeneration and Ultraviolet: Code 044.
Viper's Creed doesn't just throw you into the deep end - it starts right in the middle of the action and leaves any hint of storyline in the ether. It opens with an explosion and emerging from the flames is a tank-like vehicle that speeds down an expressway with a group of hi-tec motorcycles chasing it. The setting is a modern-day Atlantis, a city suffering from a serious flood, with dilapidated skyscrapers extending out of the ocean.
The bikers chasing the tank are known as Blademen. They're part of Argon Global Security, a private company employed to protect the city from terrorists. Their bikes are equipped with heavy artillery, and also have the ability to transform into battle mechs. The bikes draw their power from the highway lanes - if they lose contact, they only have 30 seconds of residual power.
The first episode is intense, action-wise, and although you don't really know what is going on, there are enough tidbits to let viewers get the basic gist.
Viper's Creed is a mish-mash of classics like Ghost in the Shell and Bubblegum Crisis. Keep an eye out for it when it comes to Animax HK.