Deca-Dence

Deca-Dence is set long after humanity was nearly wiped out by mysterious creatures called Gadoll, forcing survivors to live inside Deca-dence, a 3000 meter-high moving fortress. Society inside is split between Gears, who fight outside, and Tankers, who live safe but restricted lives. Natsume is a bright-eyed Tanker who refuses to accept the limits others impose on her and dreams of becoming a Gear. A chance meeting with Kaburagi, a gruff armor repairman who has become cynical about heroism, sets off a chain of events that challenges the status quo and reshapes how people see their roles, without giving away the series' surprises.

Released in 2020, Deca-Dence was created by Hiroshi Seko as an original anime project. The voice cast includes Mei Shibata as Fei, Tomori Kusunoki as Natsume, Katsuyuki Konishi as Kaburagi, plus Eiji Takeuchi and Yoshino Aoyama in supporting roles.

Audience response leaned positive, reflected in a 7.8/10 viewer average. Many praised the show for balancing kinetic action with quieter character moments, for Natsume's optimistic drive and Kaburagi's wounded realism, and for shifting tones that keep you guessing. Recurring themes include class division, the value of work and identity, and what people will risk to protect others, all layered beneath inventive sci-fi trappings.

Among anime fans Deca-Dence sparked active discussion about its worldbuilding and the way it toys with genre expectations, leading to fan art, theory threads, and renewed interest in shows that mix heartfelt character beats with mechanical spectacle. Its aesthetic and pacing made it a frequent topic in 2020 season roundups.

The series didn't collect major international awards, but it found a committed audience and appears on several fans' year-end lists. Its reputation rests more on enthusiastic word-of-mouth and community conversation than on formal accolades.