In 2016, a stellar team of staff came together to create "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress," a hugely popular anime. It's a sci-fi anime that depicts the battle against immortal monsters called Kabane, as well as the suffering and feelings of the people. Today, we'll take a closer look at the six stations that appear in "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress." We'll focus on the characteristics and events of each station. Once you've read this, you'll be a Kabaneri fanatic!
What are stations?
Fortress
In "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress," stations are walls surrounded by Kabane-proof structures. They are a place where various Hayajiro (fortresses), including the Kotetsujo, pass through, and where supplies and gasoline are stored, sustaining life. There are also settlements around the stations, where many people live. Each station has a head lord who governs the station and the surrounding area. It may be easier to understand if you think of them as a country.
London Station
Entering the station, you'll find a meticulously crafted, spacious space. The station that inspired this image is a London station. Its semicircular shape is very similar, isn't it? With some slight modifications, it has a slightly colder feel, reminiscent of "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress." Upon arriving at the station, a checkpoint is held to ensure there are no Kabane present. Anyone suspected of being a Kabane is placed in a cell-like chamber for three days, during which time the virus spreads and they transform into Kabane. If even one Kabane enters the station, the station is destroyed.
Six Stations Introduction ①: Aragane Station
The Station of Beginnings
First up is Aragane Station. This is the station where the protagonist, Ikoma, lives, and where he first meets the heroine, Mumei. It's also the station where "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress" begins. It's a bustling station and village, surrounded by a deep lake around the castle walls. You can even see the castle!
Kabane Invasion
The Fuso Castle, a swift castle attacked by Kabane and its entire crew transformed into Kabane, crashes into Kenkin Station without slowing down. From here, Kabane pour into Kenkin Station, quickly causing it to become abandoned. However, perhaps it was this incident that allowed them to meet Mumei. Incidentally, the Fuso Castle was scheduled to arrive at its final destination, Kongokaku, after the Kotetsujo.
The Yomokawa Family
Aragane Station was once ruled by the Yomokawa family. The family's head, Yomokawa Kensho, was transformed into a Kabane while fleeing and was run over by the Kotetsujo. His 17-year-old daughter, Yomokawa Ayame, succeeded him. Overcoming her grief over her father's sudden death, she strives to become the leader of the Kotetsujo. Incidentally, when the Kabane attacked, Katsumasa decided to abandon Kenkin Station and tried to escape before anyone else. It was a tragic fate.
Six Stations Introduction ②: Yatsushiro Station
Abandoned Station
This is Yatsushiro Station. When the Kotetsujo arrived, the station was already abandoned, and there was no response to their horn sound. However, they determined there were survivors due to the presence of smoke signals. Ayame suggested they go on a rescue mission, and they once again challenged the Kabane. This scene really shows the power of the Kabane.
Survivors
The Kotetsujo crew successfully rescues the survivors, but among them is a man named Enoku, a former member of the Karikatashu (hunting corps). This means he's an elite anti-Kabane force. Of course, he's an old acquaintance of Mumei's, but when Enoku tells Mumei that she's "weaker than she used to be," disaster strikes again. One incident after another.
Why were they attacked?
Yatsushiro Station wasn't abandoned until three days before the Kotetsujo's arrival. Three days earlier, it was attacked by a giant fusion of countless Kabane known as "Black Smoke." It absorbed both humans and Kabane, transforming into Titans and breaking through the walls of Yatsushiro Station. Since this phenomenon rarely occurs, it's largely down to luck. The fact that there are survivors is the most surprising thing.
Six Stations Introduction ③: Kabaneri Station
Rest
Shitori Station is a station governed by the Kabaneri. The episode in which it appears was a restful, everyday episode. It was set around Tanabata, and the mood was peaceful, with fireworks and people writing paper strips. The bustling village is a truly peaceful station. There are also rice fields, making it a tranquil place.
Kabane Invasion
After a short break, a horde of Kabane immediately attacked us (lol). In fact, these Kabane were lured to Wabun Station with the sole purpose of deliberately attacking us. I can't believe they're capable of doing something like this. The reason is the assassination of Amatori Biba, the leader of the Karikatashu. People are scarier than Kabane, aren't they? These Kabane were easily annihilated by the Karikatashu's elite troops. Just a glance at the Karikatashu's techniques and abilities renders them incapable of combat.
Six Stations Introduction ④: Iwato Station
Flag Station
This is Maeda, the head of Iwato Station. He's incredibly kind, and his death flags were clearly visible from the moment he first appeared (lol). The Karikatashu and the Kotetsujo both meet with Maeda to discuss future plans. Incidentally, the Karikatashu were on guard and unable to enter the station. This is where Mima's ambitions begin.
Disaster
Mumei is tricked by Biba into opening the gates to Iwato Station. At the same time, the Karikatashu attack with a horde of Kabane. It's the worst! Everything goes according to Biba's plan, and his aide, Horobii, artificially creates black smoke, causing the walls of Iwato Station to collapse. From here, chaos ensues, and the samurai and the Kotetsujou members fight back. However, with the black smoke in the way, defeat is certain. The Kotetsujou and Iwato Station are occupied by the Karikatashu. What does Biba want?!
Bima's Goal
You can see how much technology has advanced. This is the exterior of Iwato Station. Biba is standing on top of Shunjo Castle. At the age of 12, Biba was isolated among a horde of Kabane by his father. This prompted him to travel all the way here with the goal of killing his father. Iwato Station is also a disaster. Now, he heads to Kongokaku, the final station... Can they stop Biba?!
Six Stations Introduction ⑤: Kongokaku
Modern
This is Kongokaku, our final destination. It's the most modern and largest. Surrounded by multiple walls, the settlement spreads out around the castle of the head of the family. This head of the family is Mima's father, Amatori Kokyo. He's the one who abandoned his own son to a swarm of Kabane for his own self-preservation. He'll do anything to further his own ambition. He might be the most terrifying.
Nue
Unconscious from Bima's drug, Mumei is given another dose of a pale blue drug, transforming her into a Nue, a form of artificially transforming Kabaneri into black smoke. Mumei's Nue form resembles a horse with wings. In this form, she destroys Kongokaku. She is being used by Bima, and is forced to help him while suffering from being hit by cannonballs herself. This is tragic.
Final Episode
Ultimately, Biba is killed by Mumei. As Biba calls her Mumei, she tells him, "I'm Hozumi." Hozumi is Mumei's real name. Now, Mumei is freed from Biba and can live freely. Her dream is to defeat Kabane with Ikoma and the others, and grow and eat lots of rice. Rice is precious, isn't it?
Six Stations Introduction ⑥: Kaimon Castle
Extra Episode
This is kind of a special episode, but have you heard of the in-game anime "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Kaimon Castle Arc"? I highly recommend watching it too. When the Kotetsujo arrived, it was in ruins, as shown in the image above, and surrounded by a horde of Kabane. The pale blue light visible on the upper floors of the castle is the heart of a human who has turned into black smoke. In other words, the castle had become one with the body of the black smoke!
Tragedy
The head of the family was a samurai named Kageyuki. After his daughter was killed and turned into black smoke, he himself became a Kabaneri and lived his life protecting his daughter. He was a mad father. However, he was also a victim, but you'll have to watch the main story to understand that. It's filled with threats far beyond those of Yatsushiro Station!
Every Station is Fascinating
What did you think? We've introduced you to some surprising facts about Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress. Each station has its own unique character, and the story unfolds accordingly. While Yatsushiro Station was disappointing, it was originally a very impressive station. The members of the Kotetsujo, who have been at the mercy of Bima's schemes, find their goal and move forward. Will we ever see a world without Kabane?
