Apr 14, 2020
"We have so many degenerates here. Incredible, you know?"
- Intern-kun, 2019
You can see from my profile picture that I am probably a fan of Azur Lane, which I admit I am. As such, I will not be pulling any punches in criticisng its anime nor hesitate to give credit where credit is due.
I had a lot of apprehensions about this when it was first announced. My favourite mobile game being adapted into an anime, but who were these people I had never heard of before? Bibury? Not trying to offend, but who?
Throughout the series so far, I'm afraid nothing was able to dispel
...
these doubts. Here's my reasoning for it all.
Story - 4
Azur Lane is unlike other mobile game adaptations such as Fate/Grand Order in that it has no real story to follow - in the game, the story/lore that is given is out of chronological order and I'd personally have found it more of a pain to understand than Game of Thrones if they had made the anime the same way. That is also where my problem comes in. They didn’t have to take it out of order. They could’ve chosen one event to focus on, and used its plot. I wouldn’t have been disappointed with that. I don’t think anyone else would’ve been, either. Ink Stained Steel Sakura? Hell yes, it sets up the whole IJN betrayal wonderfully (and it means more screen time for best daughter Nagato). I just can’t understand why they didn’t take the easier and safer route.
Art - 3
Well, what can I say? Have I been pampered by the original artists of these beautiful shipgirls? Absolutely. Am I disappointed by the art because of this? No, not exactly. Rather, I'm severely disappointed by the lack of consistency. “Oh, but the art in the visual looks good" but if you actually watch, you'll notice the art slowly degrades. At some points, the faces of the characters will resemble those of the stick people that you drew in kindergarten and the lack of effort made in attempting to keep the art at a reasonable standard is visible.
Sound - 8
May'n, May'n, May'n... I've joked oh so many times about how the OP has become the best thing about the anime, and I think it's safe to say that it's no longer a joke. Kano's done a cute ending that I do also enjoy. Beautiful reflection of the peace that everyone ultimately wishes to reach. Voice acting is on point, I reckon. Forgettable OST, but that’s okay, the game has much, much better anyway.
Character - 3
Not really impressive. "Main character" a.k.a. edgy carrier girl is dull. There's about two things you can say about her: she doesn't like fighting but she does it anyway because she was "born" to do it. Oh, sorry, that's only one thing. Other characters besides Javelin, Laffey, Ayanami and Belfast are, frankly, poorly fleshed out due to the massive and unjustified focus on Little Miss Edgyprise. They aren't given enough time to develop. They cannot use their personalities from the game due to the lack of a shikikan (Commander), whom girls such as Akagi rely on A LOT for identity. Outside of main character interactions, it's pretty lacking.
Enjoyment - 6
"how the hell can you rate other stuff so low but enjoyment so high"
Because I'm a degenerate and love it when Belfast gets assertive. Yes, this rating is pretty biased because I actually play the game. It'd probably be somewhere around a 4 if I didn't. Why not a 1, you ask? There's some heartwarming scenes that I enjoyed. That’s all.
Overall - 4
Yeah, well. Not as good as I'd prayed for it to be, but what can I expect when the CEO of the publisher decides to hire someone out of nowhere just because they liked an obscure series done by them? Barely passable story, unnecessary fan service (often of girls resembling minors, keep in mind), inconsistent art, mediocre characters outside of the main girls, variable enjoyment. At least the sound is good, thank heavens for that.
You don't have to take my word for this. Look to your own tastes. Art thou a lover of anthropomorphised naval vessels? Search no further. This anime will serve you degeneracy incarnate, and lots of it. Do you want action? I guess you can find some here. Are you in dire need of a new banger from the voice of characters such as Sheryl Nome (i.e. May’n)? Well, then... uh, go to YouTube.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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