Gilgamesh - Vol. 1: Orphans of the Apocalypse (2003)

Director Masahiko Murata seamlessly incorporates elements of ancient mythology into a futuristic epic of post-apocalyptic chaos in his sci-fi anime GILGAMESH. Sometime during the 21st century, a terrorist act destroys a scientific research facility built over the tomb of the ancient Sumerian king Gilgamesh. Occurring on October 10th, the catastrophic event is dubbed Twin X (for its date, 10-10) and produces an earth-wide electromagnetic imbalance that transforms the sky into an undulating swirl of color known as "the Sheltering Sky." As war, famine, and disease wreak havoc on the weakened planet, two supernatural forces engage in a life-or-death struggle for world domination: Orga, a band of mutant psychics led by a mysterious countess; and Gilgamesh, an army of winged assassins under the charge of the evil scientist who triggered Twin X, Enkidu. Thrust into this calamitous milieu are orphaned brother and sister Kiyoko and Tatsuya, who find themselves torn between the opposing factions in a deadly battle of shifting alliances. Dark and brooding, GILGAMESH unfolds at a suspenseful pace and is rendered in a muted, nearly colorless style of animation that is perfectly suited to its gothic subject matter. This collection introduces the thriller anime with the series' first five episodes.