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Bored of typical fantasy plots and cliches? Enjoy the cyberpunk genre? Happen to like clueless men?

Well, Demon Lord 2099 is right up your alley. Jokes aside, this is an incredible show. From the absolutely amazing visuals and art style, to the humor, and the plot's event sequence, this is a winner. I'd argue that there is no way to improve this anime.

First off, the premise is perfect. A demon Lord brought back 500 years after being defeated in a fantasy world, and waking up in the year 2099 where everything is futuristic and neon? Sign me up. It's kind of like an isekai, but better, ... since he already has alliances and a status, and all of the training and combat skills have already been acquired. Similar to an isekai, the MC has to figure out how the world works in this cyperpunk era. We're all too familiar with other animes where the MC has to adjust and learn about this new fantasy world they're in, so Demon Lord 2099 introduces something entirely new, and honestly, watching an immortal demon lord adjust to living in 2099 after being dead for 500 years is one of the most entertaining things I've ever watched.

The comedy is done well in this anime. The jokes are funny, the timing is great, and the relatable nature of a few of them are chef's kiss. The way the characters interact with each other, especially the MC (Villain) with his past acquaintances is amazing. Since it's the future and the era MC knew has passed, all of the hostility towards him is gone and it's so fun watching the former enemies eat udon together. Additionally, this show includes some friendship and a bit of romance, which was really sweet, and didn't take away from the main plot at all.

The actual plot. I'm sure after readying the synopsis, you're wondering if there's an actual plot to this show. The simple answer is yes, there is. And it's more than decent. This isn't just a slice of life comedy where every episode the characters try a new flavor of ice cream, no. There are enemies and foes to be defeated, people to be saved, mysteries to be solved, and quests to be completed. All around, the plot is surprisingly good for not even being advertised or shown in the trailers at all. It's interesting and exciting, and the balance between turning a few tropes upside down and including some of the familiar good ones too is great.

Which brings us to animation and character design. All I can say is that the trailer doesn't do as much justice as it should. The cities, the settings, everything is so good. It perfectly captures the cyberpunk aesthetic. I do have to mention, though, that if you're looking for the usual cyberpunk plot where everything is tech-centered and the world is a dystopian reality, Demon Lord 2099 is a bit different and isn't focused on the nature of humanity in that way (if at all), so please note that. Back to the aesthetic, the character design is incredible, the animation for the fight scenes (yes, there are fight scenes) is good, nothing out of the park but certainly above average.

Is the show all lighthearted with no deeper message or meaning? No! Demon Lord 2099 includes a few philosophical thoughts/quotes, which although could be considered light and simple, have a great meaning and add to the plot, and of course can also be applied to your own life :)

Overall, please give this a watch! I'm shocked that this isn't more popular than it is, especially for being such a new release. This isn't just some show with a recycled and overused format, it's new and genuinely good and worth your time spent watching it. If you'd like to watch something visually stunning, funny, and with a good plot, give this anime a try.

Similarities: I'd say Demon Lord 2099 is a little bit like Veldora from That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, getting dropped into the world of Edgerunners 2077. Definitely not a perfect comparison, but if you've seen these 2 shows already you'll have a slight idea of what 2099 is like.

Hell's Paradise is one of the best anime I have watched so far. Despite it only being one season with 13 eps (so far), the storyline is compelling and incredibly interesting. The plot seems simple at first, however it's anything but. Along the way, multiple obstacles are encountered which make the characters consider their true motivation for risking their lives to receive a pardon and live. But what makes Hell's Paradise different from any other anime? As you watch, the themes and mysteries are entirely new, and you learn about the true nature of the island along with the characters. Along with that, every character ... has their own backstory, which, even though they're all supposed to be competing against each other, makes you root for all of them to win, despite most of them being side characters. Hell's Paradise does an incredible job of combining deeper themes such as personal will to live, what you'd do for your family, and also if someone with blood-soaked history such as Gabimaru's could be redeemable or not. The characters are very likeable, the plot is enticing and unpredictable, the animation and setting is also beautiful. Not to mention, this anime takes place in the Edo period, so it does have historical elements and along with the island setting, is very visually appealing. I would recommend this anime to anyone, regardless of what genre you prefer as Hell's Paradise is really a masterpiece of combining multiple into one, but not to the point that it's overwhelming, it all blends together beautifully. Each character's motivation is understandable, and depending on the viewer, could be relatable, so anyone can watch this and feel connected to the story. Can't wait for season two~