If you skipped Deca-Dence because it looked like another Attack on Titan copy, it deserves a second look. The 2020 original anime from studio NUT starts with a familiar setup of humans fighting giant monsters, then quickly turns into something much stranger and more original. Here is what you need to know about its finale, episode 12.
What Is Deca-Dence About?
Humanity has been pushed close to extinction by monstrous creatures called the Gadoll. The survivors live inside Deca-Dence, an enormous moving fortress that protects them from attack. Inside, society is split into two groups:
- Gears: warriors who go out to fight the Gadoll.
- Tankers: ordinary residents who keep the fortress running.
Natsume, a cheerful Tanker girl who lost her arm and her father to the Gadoll, dreams of becoming a Gear. Kaburagi, a gruff armour-maintenance worker, has secrets of his own. When their paths cross, both begin to question the world they live in.
The Big Twist (Mild Spoilers)
Early in the series, Deca-Dence reveals that its world is not what it seems. The show switches art styles to tell two stories at once, and the truth about the Gears, the Gadoll and the system controlling Deca-Dence becomes the heart of the plot. Without giving everything away, the series becomes a story about freedom, purpose and breaking out of a system that treats people as disposable.
What to Expect in Episode 12
The finale brings Natsume and Kaburagi’s story to a head as they face their toughest battle yet to save Deca-Dence and the people inside it. It ties up the season’s major conflicts and delivers the emotional payoff of the pair’s unusual partnership.
Release Date
Episode 12, the final episode of the series, aired in Japan on 23 September 2020.
Where to Watch
Deca-Dence was originally streamed by Funimation and Hulu with Japanese audio and English subtitles. Since Funimation’s catalogue moved to Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll is the most likely place to find it in many regions, though availability varies by country.
Is It Worth Watching?
Yes. With only 12 episodes, Deca-Dence is easy to finish in a weekend, and its blend of action, satire and heart makes it one of the more memorable original anime of 2020.
