A Look Back at Kill la Kill

Kill la Kill celebrated its 10th Anniversary on Oct 4th, 2023. Ten years of girls wearing very little to cause maximum damage in combat. Time flies like Ryuko’s striped panties in the wind. This series is well-known for its action scenes and stunning animation. It’s also most known for the copious amounts of fanservice cultured otaku are given on a silver platter. The best part of the fanservice? The plot itself justifies it. Let us look at this series and see how well it has stood the test of time.

Kill la Kill Dresses Up to Throw Down

The plot has stood the test of time. Alternate primordial history. Aliens, messing with humanity. A tale of anger and revenge. All check out.

Long ago, at the dawn of humanity, the Original Life Fiber descended upon the earth to live off the early humans. They pushed human evolution forward and compelled humans to “cover themselves.” They went into a dormant state afterward and only awakened twenty years ago to resume their efforts to use humans as mere hosts.

Ryuko Matoi transfers to the prestigious and quite dangerous Honnoji Academy to find her father’s murderer. Her only clue is the other half of the scissor blade used to kill him. Ryuko began her search by interrogating the head of the student council, Satsuki Kiryuin. However, she was defeated by the rest of the student council in combat. This was when she met the sentient sailor uniform whom she named Senketsu. Ryuko would then wield powers similar to the kamui uniforms donned by the student council and their underlings. Her battle had only just begun, and all of Honnoji Academy would know her name.

Joe has more in-depth reviews of the series for those interested.

Kiryuin and Matoi

Likewise, this series has some timeless characters. A brash tomboy with revenge in mind. A cold and calculating superior opponent. They both wear incredibly revealing clothes to gain superpowers. You know, timeless stuff we can all look back on fondly.

Kill la Kill has iconic and timeless characters in its extensive roster. Ryuko Matoi (Ami Koshimizu — Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon) is determined to avenge her father against those who conspired against him. She has a single-minded focus on bringing those people to justice. However, Ryuko isn’t above just hanging out with friends like Mako Mankanshoku (Aya Suzaki — Nora Valkyrie in RWBY: Ice Queendom). So, maybe single-minded isn’t the best word. But she will absolutely rush at dangerous foes without concern for her safety.

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Satsuki Kiryuin (Ryoka Yuzuki — Ino Yamanaka in Naruto) is on the opposite side of this school-wide battlefield. She is the proud and intelligent young woman who rules Honnoji Academy with an iron fist. She is as unyielding and dangerous as her sword Bakuzan. Despite her cold exterior, she truly cares about her Elite Four, her father, and her sister. Unlike Ryuko, Satsuki has no shame in wearing her kamui Junketsu in its most revealing forms.

Sakuga and Fanservice

Kill la Kill is only ten years old, so the animation can’t be considered “dated.” Even if it were older than that, it’s still pristine. Sakuga refers to those memorable and hype moments in an episode where viewers can notice a dramatic leap in quality. The fight scenes play where viewers can see every strike in the tensest way possible.

Studio TRIGGER has its own signature art style, which is immediately recognizable. It exudes heart and soul. They also don’t skimp on the fanservice, either. Ryuko’s and Satsuki’s kamui take on very revealing forms. To call them bikini armor would be an understatement. Some very convenient camera angles highlight how much is being revealed.

It’s all justified in the story, similar to the legendary fanservice anime Agent Aika. The girls get touchy-feely in Kill la Kill, too. Ryuko is initially flustered by Senketsu’s form, so she would never survive Aika’s world. She eventually gets used to it, but it’s so cute how she fights with a blush.

Kill la Kill‘s fanservice has inspired many examples of cultured artwork, the culmination of which was #RyukoRedraw. It began on Twitter on Feb 26th, 2022 (someone tried to bring it back) and immediately took off. A single screenshot from the anime had brought artists from all over to redraw that scene in their style. Fanservice existed both within the series and outside of it, making it a sincerely timeless anime.

Enduring Popularity

The redraw challenge undoubtedly shows how Kill la Kill is still a popular anime series. It ranks #347 on Anime News Network’s top 500 most-viewed series. MyAnimeList also ranks it very favorably. We can’t forget the “Ugh, fine, I guess you are my little pogchamp” meme that took over the internet for a while.

TRIGGER and the famous artist Rei Hiroe celebrated the anniversary with art to mark the occasion.

The responses to the anniversary alone prove that the fans still love and adore these scantily-clad warriors. The 3D fighting game Kill la Kill — IF also allowed players to fight through a new storyline. That game did not skimp out on the fanservice, either.

Kill la Kill Forever

It’s already abundantly clear that Kill la Kill will be one of those anime series people can just pick up and watch no matter how much time has passed. The animation is still incredible, the characters are all exciting to watch for many different reasons, and by the gods, the fanservice is top-tier. It’s a short series with 24 episodes and an OVA that capped the story. There are twists and turns and girls in skimpy outfits that grant them superpowers. It’s what every cultured otaku could ever want in an anime. Also, yuri moments. That’s just a bonus.

The story truly stands out. It’s an epic tale of vengeance and, ultimately, unity. Like Agent Aika, fanservice aside, there’s a great story to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a skimpy-clad girl named Matoi to bring home, J-List has you covered. The Matoi 1/7 Figure Nidy-2D-Ver. from Phantasy Star Online 2 is now available.

Did you enjoy Kill la Kill? What did you think of those revealing kamui uniforms? Who is the Best Girl in the series? Let us know in the comments below.