If you happen to find this anime in 2021 or later, I beg of you to play the game instead. As a devoted fan of the otome game (now on switch), I was very disappointed in this adaption. I know things are undeniably going to have to be cut to make one cohesive plotline when it comes to making otome anime, but there were just so many things left out or butchered that would've greatly helped the plot and showcase to anime-onlys the depth of the characters to let the story really shine. ~Spoiler Free~
Story: 5
As it is nearly the same story as the
...
game, obviously that is good and unique. Being a steampunk English romance about a girl that can't touch those she loves is obviously very compelling. However there were fights omitted I'm sure due to budget, deeper world-building plot lines skimmed over for times sake, and one character's last scene was drastically changed to give a better "feel good" send off. There were also bigger mystery reveals just randomly dropped like it was common knowledge or placed at the beginning of an episode like it wasn't the single biggest turning point for the main character, thereby butchering a big chunk of the overall story. There was also a big moment for the pairing they chose to cover, however instead of showing it properly cut it down to just be an image for the ending. I couldn't believe they did that, it's one of the biggest moments in the whole game. Overall just messy, underwhelming, and nowhere as good as it could have been but I guess it gets the job done.
Art: 3
Sometimes, it's pretty. Other times they look like slender man. Opening and ending obviously showed a lack of budget, again proven by the poor cgi that reveals itself later on. There was also a scene where a character falls and it's supposed to be all scary that they could be dying, but the animation is so poor it looks like they cut around their body and literally just click and dragged the drawing down the screen. I couldn't believe that was left in and accepted as is. To their credit, I did keep replaying it because I couldn't stop laughing at the sight of it.
Sound: 6
No complaints with sound quality, though the song choices and OST were reallyyyy lacking, especially compared to the soundtrack of the game which is so unapologetically itself and memorable. Voice acting was great, but that was expected as they're the same seiyuus as the game. So, it was fine.
Character: 2
This is the part that really grinds my gears. Due to their need to try and show a little bit of each character but only having 12 episodes (+ OVA), you're just left wanting more. I feel they could've absolutely gone more in depth especially with Van Helsing, Saint Germain, Frankenstein, and the Queen. But the worst part I think, was how Cardia's development got practically halved compared to the game. She has basically no personality here besides being nice and sad. She feels like your run of the mill otome main character when in game she is meant to just be a clean slate of a person, slowly learning to smile and figure out who she is as an individual. In game, she often has moments of strength, self-sacrificing, and humor. She even learns how to be selfish and calls Lupin a troublemaker, (something this cardboard cut out of Cardia would never do), showing their bond and understanding. But even here where they pushed aside everything else for their relationship, it feels forced and immediate with no build or clear show of their feelings or how we got from point A to point B. It all just makes no sense to me on the decisions while putting this show together because as any dating sim gamer would know, the romance is all about the characters and their slow building bonds.
Enjoyment & Overall: 3
Of course I was able to somewhat get through this anime with sheer nostalgia of the love I have for the source material, so I can't say I absolutely hated it. But I'm just disappointed because anime is really for seeing the works you love come to life before your eyes, and I was left wanting to go back to one of my saves just so I can hear the OST and read the story properly. And to be fair that's probably why this was made, to draw an even bigger crowd to buying the game. But I think it more so hurt than helped, and was a waste of everyone's time. What's the point of adapting a story if you'll only give/be able to give it low quality visuals and music as well as cut down the story that made it so special in the first place?
So again, I'd strongly recommend if you happen to find this show somehow and come by this review, I vehemently suggest you skip and instead go for the game. Otomes just really aren't built for half-hearted anime adaptions, as the Code: Realize anime proves once again.
May 23, 2021
Code:Realize - Sousei no Himegimi
(Anime)
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If you happen to find this anime in 2021 or later, I beg of you to play the game instead. As a devoted fan of the otome game (now on switch), I was very disappointed in this adaption. I know things are undeniably going to have to be cut to make one cohesive plotline when it comes to making otome anime, but there were just so many things left out or butchered that would've greatly helped the plot and showcase to anime-onlys the depth of the characters to let the story really shine. ~Spoiler Free~
Story: 5 As it is nearly the same story as the ... 
Dec 29, 2020
Grancrest Senki
(Anime)
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Just writing a quick review because a lot of the ones I'm seeing are honestly bs. Yes, the premise is nothing we haven't seen before, however I don't believe a show should get docked just for being what it is. Essentially, if you like JRPGs or D&D, you will like this, especially if 18+.
Three canon romances, strong female characters that literally drive the show, gore, good animation and ost, sex/kissing/fanservice, world building, and an MC that isn't emotionally constipated or scared of killing. What more do you really want? Only nitpicks I had: Two times I noticed audio issues, a moment where a character's ... |
