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This film is good, even though I would only describe a handful of things about it as being actually good. What I mean by that is a lot of it is either amazing or terrible and the flip flopping it does of quality is quite dramatic.

It doesn’t do this a lot. In fact most of the time it just stays fantastic. The world building really sucks you in and does a great job of showing you lots in the little time that it has to work with without it feeling like a mindless exposition dump. It's not perfect and some of the characters are ... kind of bland and a lot of silly nonsense happens, but the whole story does a good job of wrapping itself up in an emotionally satisfying conclusion.

The animation is fantastic as well. You can clearly tell that there was a lot of time and effort that went into designing and animating these characters and the world they inhabit. The cinematography is great and some scenes are truly stunning.

At least most of it is that way because sometimes the animation sucks. For example one of the big action scenes that takes place in the second episode is just lazily. I don't know if they just ran out of time and money here but it just straight up has no background in some shots. I thought I was watching a different show for a couple seconds. There's an unfortunate amount of clashing CG here and there throughout the film as well and it just makes you kind of sad because again I must reiterate that a lot of the film’s animation is really quite breathtaking.

It's always really tragic to watch things like this, where you could see the potential and the beauty underneath getting overshadowed by its all too noticeable blemishes. I don't think these things ruin it enough to make it unwatchable, but I really wish they weren't there.

This show is a good fun time. It's got fun wacky characters that do fun wacky things and have a fun wacky time. The humor is enough to give me a chuckle here and there and it's occasionally wholesome nature gives you that nice warm feeling that every slice of life should.

Just dont think about it too hard. Just sit back and have fun. Enjoy the tsundere doing tsundere things. Don’t think about the bullying, and the sadism, and the fact that senpai probably gets off on it. Don't think about that because the more you do, the more disturbing it becomes. In fact ... you may eventually find yourself not having fun.

Instead, you may find yourself spiraling into an empty desolate void as you become consumed by despair as the true deranged terror of the human mind presents itself. You may find yourself asking “What kind of unspeakable horrors must happen to a person for them to construct such a monument to mankind's corruption?” or “What kind of loving god would allow something like this to exist?”. Then as these thoughts consume you, you come to the shocking realization that the void is staring back at you. It has been this whole time. You look on helplessly as it claws at your heart, forcing you to confront your own twisted hedonistic depravity. As much as you try to deny it, to turn from it, to run, you can't escape as that little part of your soul screams out “Yes I like it GIVE ME MORE!”. You feel nauseated as you drown in the shame and disgust. Why? Because you're watching it. You're watching the whole thing. You created this icon of sin. There is no god. You have been abandoned by him.

So don’t do that!

Just turn your brain off and enjoy. Look, Nagatoro just did the octopus arm thingy!!
See?

Fun.

“You see, all we can do is move forward.”

Despite its chaotic and absurdist nature, Sonny Boy is far more approachable than it may seem. That is because at its core it is a familiar coming of age story that depicts the typical feelings and emotions of adolescence. This show does a great job of making you empathize with this cast. As a result, although the specifics of what's going on may be muddled and unclear, the emotional journey they go on is not.

You feel the confusion as you watch them get ripped from their comfort zone and thrust into a new wild world they cannot ... fully understand. You feel the anxiety of being overwhelmed, of just wanting things to stop changing and go back to the way they were, to go home. But they can't. They’re trapped in this new reality with its strange unfamiliar rules and hierarchies. You feel their regret as they ponder all of the past choices they've made that led them to where they are now. The dread of feeling so small and meaningless in the face of infinite possibilities.

You feel the hope as they step forward, guided by a sense of purpose that, despite all the chaos and absurdities, shows them the way.

The emotional impact this show carries wouldn't be the same without its drop dead gorgeous imagery. Feelings of loneliness are emphasized by a striking use of minimalism, which itself is often contrasted with dramatic and vivid splashes of colors or detail. This gives you a sense of beauty and possibility in spite of the bleakness and monotony. The animation itself is flawless and characters move with such consistent natural fluidity as to totally entrance you. Truly some of the best visuals animation has to offer.

My major critique is that I felt a bit underwhelmed towards the ending. I felt like the drama of the story was building up to more than what was delivered leaving certain character arcs feeling only half finished. Despite that I do feel there is a lot of depth to this show that can be explored and appreciated making it an easy recommendation from me.