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Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions may seem just like another cookie cutter isekai at first glance but underneath the surface is a unique work with realistic aspects and beautiful art.

Most Isekais use the same gimmicks, lame mc gets transported or reincarnated into fantasy or game-like world and becomes OP in the span of 20 minutes, gets all the babes for no reason, never loses even when he does lose, and has the personality of a crab. What makes grimgar different is it's focus and pacing.

Although the lead main character is Haruhiro, Grimgar spends it's time fleshing out all of the characters as a group. They don't ... just rush into things in this new world, they're scared, don't know where they are or even who they are. A lot of Isekais have the MC be a bit surprised at first but then just run straight forward with no fear and start their OP life, Grimgar doesn't do that. They have to get to know each other and learn of to cohabite and get along to survive in this new world.

The characters in Grimgar start from the bottom like anyone would if they were just thrown into the wilderness. As they were made "volunteer" knights, they were exposed to new dangers that they had never experienced before, they got hurt, sometimes they failed, they were weak but like anyone who repeats the same task again and again, they improved.

These characters had to learn how to cope with strategy and learn how to trust each other and those outside of their group. They grew close bonds but had their fights as well. The dynamic each character has with each other is much like a family. They learn and they heal and grow closer with outsiders as well. A new character joins the party. Cold and distant from the loss of her old party, the MCs struggle to connect with the others, blaming herself for the death of her old friends. However, in the end, they all accept the new lives that they have and that death is another part of life.

An anime that I did not know how to rate. I recommend if the best experience, just watching the first cour and pretending it ends there because the second half is where Sword Art Online's infamy comes from.

The stuck but not stuck in a video game world concept was fresh to see rather than the reincarnation from Truck-kun or teleported into another world. The art is very nice and just 12 episodes make you like the characters.

The second half is the problem. The ALO arc's antagonist is crazy. He traps one of the main characters in a game basically kidnapping her and the plot of ... the rest of the season is saving her. But this dude is a literal predator, grown ass adult, lusting of this high school child. Yeah, there is a scene that I would rather have forgotten.

The rest of the seasons aren't bad, some are better than others, but they need the context of season 1, part 2 and just to save your time and dignity, you can just stop after the Sword Art Online arc is over. Overall, I give part 1 an 8 and part 2 a 5

This is probably one of my favorite anime movies. Although I haven't read the manga, I still recommend it as I heard that the manga does a better job telling the story. I have a soft spot for stories that deal with these sorts of issues and it just made me happy to see the character development between Shouko and Shouya. The ost is also banging. 10/10 would recommend. Definitely a movie that I can keep rewatching. Loved both sub and dub

It is very nice to see a bully truly change and feel remorse for their actions. Shouko did not have to forgive him ... but she did and that shows how much Shouya has changed since then. This movie deals with attempted suicide for both of the protagonists. It really hits hard for someone who has dealt with that in the past.