Aug 30, 2020
Disclaimers:
- I haven't read the manga nor played the game
- I'm into gender benders
- I've studied martial arts (taekwondo + aikido )
If assessed like a normal anime, yes, its pacing is too fast and skips by what could have been a more in-depth arc, but that's the thing - people being watching this with an expected formula for shoujo animes, so when it doesn't fit the usual setup, they're quick to be disappointed.
There are so many ways to tell a story - if you watch with fresh eyes and with just the intent to have a good time, you'll be able to see the story
...
under a different light.
Contrary to all the negative reviews, this anime has a lot of good points that go over viewers' heads.
#1 the fighting choreography
- I love action anime, so I tend to forgive a lot of scenes that just rely on good musical scoring and sound effects instead of actually investing in the fight's stances and blockings.
With this anime, though, each fight will show you smooth defenses and actual fighting techniques learned from different martial arts. It just isn't as flashy as other shounen anime fights since the camera movement isn't as hardcore, but if you focus on each gesture, you'll have a newfound appreciation for this approach.
#2 the Resourcefulness despite low-budget animation claims
- People were quick to point out the silhouettes for background characters being a poor approach, but if budget constraints really did influence this decision, I actually think this was a smart move.
When it comes to background characters, a lot of newer animes do draw the ensemble individually, however, since they're not the main focus, it's often done poorly or so simple to the point that it looks like a draft.
It's become a joke amongst the anime community wherein background characters often get dull designs in order to fully contrast the lead protagonists who either have wild hairstyles or outfits. While this does the job of making the main characters stand out, it just feels so lazy (not hating on this approach, though. It works for some)
While silhouettes for background characters initially seem like the lazy approach since some anime fans compare it to examples I've listed above, it's actually very fitting with the overall aesthetic this show has to offer - it makes the lead characters stand out in a clean way as compared to multiple plain characters drawn in the background. Why? Because it's like an ode to visual novel stills (the origin of this anime). The background characters resemble sprites that don't have much movement during the scenes they're featured in, and the chosen colors blend well with the surroundings + the characters that are our main concern for that moment. In photography terms, it also doubles as a leading line for our eyes to naturally gravitate towards the protagonists.
#3 The timing is well-placed
- Again, if you jump into this anime expecting a complete story, you'll only be setting yourself up for disappointment. But if you start it with just the intention of being taken on a journey with it, you'll see its strong points.
What supposedly looks rushed and ill-timed, is actually very fitting considering the anime's origins.
Having begun as a game, the cuts for each scene and the timing for the music is reminiscent of cutscenes in video games. From when the opening song starts playing alongside the actual storyline, to the short interview-like portions from the cast - it gives us, the audience, a POV of being reminded about where the story had last ended.
In conclusion, this felt like a great way to introduce people to the game and manga. It could serve as a teaser for those installments, so don't get turned off by the negative comments it's garnered.
If you enjoy the following:
- Subtle reverse harems (nothing too in your face with romance/love interests excessively fighting for the lead)
- A main heroine who isn't "perfect" (not introduced to the audience as someone super pretty, isn't a damsel in distress, isn't always saved, doesn't have huge tits)
- Hot guys, each a different trope
- Gender benders
Then by all means, please give this a shot. I really enjoyed the character designs and the short interactions each character has with each other. To the point where I can say that it seriously moved me to want to pick up the manga and game for more of it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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