Anime Squadron Review: First Squad – The Moment of Truth (WWII Occult Thriller)
An honest anime squadron review of First Squad: The Moment of Truth – a short WWII occult thriller with psychic teens and Russian folklore.
Introduction
War, witchcraft, and a lone psychic teenager – that’s the bizarre cocktail served in First Squad: The Moment of Truth. This 2009 Russian-Japanese co-production flies under the radar for most Western fans, but it delivers a unique anime squadron review experience that blends historical warfare with supernatural horror. If you’re tired of predictable shonen teams and want a squad that literally fights ghosts on the Eastern Front, this one deserves a look. In this anime squadron review, we’ll break down the plot, animation, pacing, and whether the 75-minute runtime leaves you satisfied or wanting more.
Let’s face it: the “anime squadron” genre is saturated with magical high school clubs and ragtag rebels. First Squad dares to be different by placing its squad – a group of dead soldiers and a living girl – in the brutal reality of World War II. The result is a short, intense burst of occult action that feels like a lost episode of Hellsing set in Stalingrad.
Plot and Setting: Psychic Warfare on the Eastern Front
The story opens with grainy WWII footage before throwing you into the mind of Nadya, a 14-year-old Russian girl with powerful psychic abilities. The Germans have turned to the occult, summoning the undead knight Von Wolff to break the stalemate. In response, the Soviet Union formed its own supernatural squad – but all members appear to have been executed during a German raid. Nadya is the sole survivor, and she must piece together her forgotten past to reassemble the team’s spirits.
The narrative unfolds alongside Nadya’s memories, which are triggered by head trauma (a classic trope, but it works here). You learn about the squad – a group of dead soldiers from various battles – through fragmented flashbacks. The setting is grim, drenched in mud and snow, with eerie occult symbols carved into ruined buildings. The Germans aren’t just soldiers; they employ necromancers and demonic entities, making this feel like Wolfenstein meets Fate/stay night.
Comparison Table: First Squad vs. Other Occult War Anime
| Aspect | First Squad | Hellsing Ultimate | Jin-Roh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Period | WWII (Russia) | Modern-day (UK) | Alternate 1950s (Japan) |
| Supernatural Element | Psychic powers, necromancy | Vampires, ghouls | No overt magic (alternate history) |
| Squad Focus | 5 dead soldiers + 1 living psychic | Sir Integra’s organization | Counter-Guerrilla Unit |
| Runtime | 75 minutes | 50 minutes per episode | 102 minutes |
| Tone | Grim, occult thriller | Over-the-top gore | Political drama |
Animation Style and Presentation: A Visual Mixture
The animation is a collaboration between Studio 4°C (Japan) and Molot Entertainment (Russia), resulting in a distinct look that blends realistic backgrounds with stylized character designs. The dark color palette – grays, browns, and occasional red blood splatters – fits the war-torn setting. Action sequences are fluid but short, as the source material notes: “a lot of the movie is Nadya trying to figure out what she has forgotten.”
The Blu-ray release offers two versions: a shorter cut (about 60 minutes) and a longer one (75 minutes). The longer version includes interstitial segments where “historians,” “war veterans,” and “psychiatrists” speak in untranslated Russian. These monologues add an arthouse flavor but are completely inaccessible to non-Russian speakers – a major frustration.
Table: Version Comparison on Blu-ray
| Feature | Short Version | Long Version |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | 60 min | 75 min |
| Russian Interstitials | No | Yes (not subtitled) |
| Pacing | Faster, leaner | Slower, some drag |
| Recommended | For casual viewers | For completionists |
Characters and Voice Acting: The Silent Squad
The titular “squad” is more of a concept than a living team. Most members are dead before the movie begins, appearing only in flashbacks or as summoned spirits. This is a double-edged sword: you get a mystery about their past, but little development in the present.
- Nadya – The protagonist, a quiet and determined girl. Her psychic powers are underused due to amnesia. She’s more reactive than proactive.
- Von Wolff – The German necromancer antagonist. He’s a classic villain: menacing, immortal, and vengeful. Screenshot time is limited.
- The Squad (brief appearances): Each member has a distinct weapon and personality (sniper, heavy gunner, swordsman, etc.), but they remain archetypes.
Voice acting is solid in the original Russian dub (English dub is available but less praised). The lack of subtitles for the Russian interludes in the long version is a glaring oversight.
Action and Pacing: Short and Sweet, but Rushed
The movie is undeniably short. Even the extended version clocks in at just 75 minutes. The climax happens “way too fast,” as the source reviewer notes. The action sequences are energetic but few – maybe four or five set pieces. The bulk of the runtime is devoted to Nadya remembering her past, which creates a slow-burn mystery but may disappoint fans expecting constant combat.
Pros and Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique WWII occult premise | Very short runtime (75 min) |
| Beautiful background art | Russian interludes untranslated |
| Cliffhanger leaves room for sequel | Underdeveloped squad members |
| Atmospheric and gritty | Climax feels rushed |
| Female heroine | Head trauma amnesia trope |
Who Should Watch This Anime Squadron?
If you’re a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist (alchemy + war), Hellsing (occult gore), or The Animatrix (short, stylish action), First Squad will scratch an itch. It’s also a must-watch for anyone interested in Russian anime or the rare portrayal of WWII from a supernatural angle. However, if you prefer long, character-driven arcs or extensive team banter, this isn’t for you.
Recommended for:
- Fans of occult history blends
- Viewers who like short movies (under 90 min)
- People curious about Russian-Japanese co-productions
- Those who enjoy strong (though underutilized) female leads
Skip if:
- You need fully subtitled dialogue
- You prefer comedy or slice-of-life elements
- You hate cliffhangers (the movie ends with a setup for a sequel that never came)
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Engaging Curio
First Squad: The Moment of Truth is a fascinating anime squadron review candidate because it tries something bold – combining real WWII history with occult psychics – but falls short of its potential due to pacing and length. The movie is a mood piece: dark, mysterious, and visually striking. The lack of subtitles for the interludes damages the experience, but the core story of Nadya rebuilding her dead squad is compelling enough.
Overall Rating: 6.5/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story | 7/10 |
| Animation | 8/10 |
| Characters | 5/10 |
| Action | 6/10 |
| Replay Value | 4/10 |
You can find the standard Blu-ray on Amazon (affiliate link) or stream it on certain platforms. For more deep dives, check the original review at Nerd Caliber – they captured the same mix of appreciation and criticism.
FAQ – First Squad: The Moment of Truth
Q: Is First Squad based on a true story? A: No, but it draws from real WWII events (the battle of the Eastern Front) and the Nazis’ documented interest in the occult. The characters and psychic powers are fictional.
Q: Does this anime squadron have a sequel? A: The movie ends on a cliffhanger, but no sequel was ever produced. It was intended as the first part of a series, but funding fell through.
Q: How long is the movie, and which version should I watch? A: The long version is 75 minutes; the short version is 60. We recommend the long version for completionists, but skip the untranslated interludes if they frustrate you.
Q: Is the anime squadron review on Nerd Caliber accurate about the Russian monologues? A: Yes. Many community reports confirm that those segments lack English subtitles, making them unwatchable for non-Russian speakers. It’s a significant flaw.