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The worst entry in the Konosuba franchise besides the specials. The biggest issue with this prequel to the main story is the lack of chemistry with Megumin and everyone else. She doesn't have Kazuma to keep her in check so her ego goes wild without being held accountable. What makes the main line story work is how all the characters are self centered stooges but their shittyness cancels each other out as they end up tripping over each other as they fail upwards. This show has none of that. Honestly Megumin was best girl from the main series but here she just comes across as ... mean most of the time as she gets none of the karmic retribution the main story loves to deliver in droves. Its not a bad anime but based on the peaks this franchise has reached, this is one of its valleys.

If you like Konosuba then you can watch this but it wont change your mind about anything related to this franchise regardless of where you stand.

My actual score would be closer to 6.5/10.

P.S. Kazuma narrating was one of the highlights of the show.

Maybe its just the shounen formula but I feel like this story is missing that page-turner spice. Like, I don't know how many more absolutely deplorable people I can handle being redeemed with the most basic sob story. Like as a made up example; "I'm a serial killer who hates woman because in preschool a girl who I was playing house with divorced me". The main character collecting friends like pokemon is kind of a staple of shounen I guess. You can really see all of the influences on this story which isn't a bad thing but it would be nice if there was something ... that couldn't be traced back to some of the most popular franchises of the last 2 decades.
The style is great but the story is a little lackluster and predictable.
If you really want more harry potter and one punch man then this is definitely for you.

As a weeb of Russian descent I would've loved nothing more then to have put this anime in my top ten list and rub it into the face of every weeb I'll meet. But sadly, I can't do that.

On one hand Studio 4C did an incredible job with animation and sound design and honestly saved this movie from being a complete disaster. Where First Squad falls short is story wise.

If this wasn't a movie I feel like First Squad would've had a chance to be pretty good. The story utilizes a lot of strong story elements that in themselves can carry any story but ... in this case were rushed because of limited run time and didn't really let any of the potential shine through. They add magic and superpowers which under normal circumstances would make me so happy I'd spontaneously combust. But they don't establish any rules for the power system or how things work or function. It uses clichés like a wizard and a prophecy to start off the story but doesn't deliver in a memorable way that would make the viewer care ab. Visually the characters all look and sound great both in Russian, English or Japanese, whatever you want to watch. But story wise almost nothing is given to grow the main cast. Almost no character development is given to any of the characters except for a relatively shallow flashback. Characters are one dimensional and forgettable even though they are supposed to be a driving force for the plot.

In conclusion this anime had a lot of potential and failed to flesh it out because of its short run time. If your looking for thoughts on whether or not you should watch this movie then hear me out. I feel like its below average. But its really not a waste of time.

P.S. I didn't know how to fit this info into the review but there is a version of this film with short interviews that are slotted in throughout the movie between cuts that basically have people retelling the story that this movie is based on. It does shine a new light on this story if it's somehow inspired by real events.