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It’s easy to go in not expecting much. This is your run of the mill isekai.

However, as a “feel-good” anime, this is one of if not the best. It’s not without its holes. There’s a few plot points that get forgotten along the way. Perhaps it was rushed, or lost its focus, but the running theme of world peace and happiness continues to evolve.

Every character is lovable, and every chapter is closed in a satisfying way. My only complaint is the lack of time we get for the many fun lovable characters which I chalk up to the story being crammed into 12 ... episodes.

All in all, it’s a fun, colorful adventure that doesn’t try to do anything new, but ends up feeling nuanced in an era of anime that all try to stay exciting with twists and dramatics.

This isn’t the kind of anime that will blow you away. Not immediately at least. And definitely not in the way you’re used to. In fact there may be quite a few times where you ask yourself “why is this even an anime?”. The show seems to preface that the good part is already over. We’re watching what happens after the climax of a heroes journey.

Why should such a story exist? When you ask yourself what it could be about in the first episodes, it’s either a story of self discovery or another half baked enemy that need be taken down.

What made my ... doubts and distaste disappear over the course of a few episodes was the way this anime perfectly demonstrates time, loss, relationships, getting older, and many other little things that you only ask yourself in fleeting moments. Appreciation for the time you’re encompassing, lamenting on the past. If you had thousands of years to live, would everything seem trivial? What’s the point to finding meaning in everything?

Sousou no Frieren is a peaceful show about life, and the many questions and experiences we give little thought to over the course of it. The visuals aren’t anything insanely complex, but there are some very scenic backgrounds, intense displays, and interesting designs that do make an appearance. The music and direction of the show take on a very nostalgic tone, that inspire thoughts of adventure a la The Hobbit series.

But what makes this anime shine is just how tightly woven together the whole package presents itself as. The small details of the world and its characters are impactful, and give meaning to the dialogue and history of the adventure Frieren has been on and the journey she’s made thus far. As you learn more about the characters and the meaning of their adventure, so too does our MC, an elf who has given little thought to the impact of years that span multiple lives whilst still being only a fraction of hers.

Wholesome, thought provoking, exciting moments, reminiscent of mushishi. 10/10.

Gamers! is bad. It's a complicated mess that takes you nowhere at all. It's a train that takes you across the country only to drop you off where you started.
That being said, I still somewhat enjoyed Gamers!

Now, where to start. I guess the humor. Not too awful. I had a giggle here and there, but as with most comedies, the jokes get repetitive and start drawing away from the actual story we're supposed to be getting. Nothing ever goes anywhere. Sure, progress is made in some relationships between characters, but its very minor pushes. one step forward, one step back. Gamers! just feels ... like one of those scooby doo chase moments, where everyone's just running around in circles. Nothing is ever really resolved. My big issue with the anime, or should I say, another issue with this "game" anime is that there's just excessive speak of games. There actually isn't any games to be found. Hell, the game we see most is a flash mobile game...

The characters do not help the story either. It's ironic that dating sims are spoken of as much as they are considering our MC is reminiscent of the MCs in dating sims. Nothing redeemable about him whatsoever, but everyone flocks to him, because again, he's the main character. Worse than this though is the ongoing gag that you get sick of the first time you see it, the misunderstandings. It wasn't fun 2 times in, it wasn't fun 30 times in. Communication isn't present between these characters, which is funny (more irony) when in real relationships, you'd consider communication to be incredibly important. It's as if the show wants to irritate you, because some of the characters will fully share your stress and you think to yourself "why won't you just say something". It's a nightmare.

I have nothing to say about the sound/music. The OP was nice, I suppose. The art style wasn't really anything out there either, there were some character designs that I just viewed as really average, but with a speck of flair. Characters like Aguri and Tasuko. They weren't anything remarkable, but they gave a bit more personality (not to say there's much unique) to their characters. This was easy to notice when looking at Keita. Makes you appreciate the small things, but then maybe that's a flaw.

Now with all the trash talk spoken, how come I enjoyed it? Well, the main reasons are the ridiculous misunderstandings and the cliche cute moments. This is the rise and fall of the anime really, since these same things are what can make the anime such a turn off. The misunderstandings were fun to watch, albeit irritating, but only really bothered me when I realized they were complete comedic relief and filler. They'd be left unresolved and forgotten. A joy for a moment and then disappointing. I liked some of the chaos, but I was ultimately left dissatisfied.

The cliche moments and cuteness are kind of similar. This anime kind of has some identity issues sometimes. It's funny and stupid and then there's a sweet moment, or something really cute that happens and you can't help, but hope that particular relationship route works. Then we're back to comedy and the scene is forgotten as with everything.

So I give this anime rank: Diet Soda *Because like diet soda for me. Its pleasant for a second and then you're left with the aftertaste.

And that's only if you don't watch episode 12, which is basically a DLC- err OVA. It kills the ending of episode 11 and leaves an even worse aftertaste. So pass on it unless you're desperate for more, somehow.
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To summarize nice and neat, what made this anime enjoyable?
•The rare cute moments, the few laughs this anime managed to get out of me, the chaotic plot if you're into that and for me personally, Aguri. I won't lie. I fought through for that, she's adorable.

What makes this anime disappointing?
•Everything feels like filler, the misunderstandings aren't funny after awhile; they're painful, the show ends on an OVA, nothing about how any situation is handled is ever satisfying since you feel as though nothing is ever clarified and these characters have 5 second attention spans. The worst offense I can name is how this anime has a few things going for it, but so many inconsistencies, cliches and lack of identity that it's just another anime we'll eventually forget.

This will be my first review so forgive me if I completely butcher this.



STORY:10/10
Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi or in English; Erased, is a very interesting anime. It's like a roller coaster that's themed in a cave. There are twists and turns, and at some point a huge drop. You spend the rest of the time in the cave wondering where the next drop will be, but then the roller coaster leaves the cave and hits the next drop... But you saw it coming since it was no longer hidden by the cave. That's a very complicated metaphor way to put it. A really bad ... one, but I'm sure you get what I mean.

It has you thinking this, and then it gives you that. Then when you were expecting that, it actually gives you this. One way to wrap up this anime nice and tightly would be to describe it as bittersweet. So many moments that made me feel many different things. This anime truly is a masterpiece. A masterpiece that wasn't such a masterpiece. It's hard to put into words.

I'm gonna call this *SPOILERS* but I'm not so sure. Read at your own risk.
The whole anime I describe as bittersweet because it takes the route just short of best. You're thinking "Please let this happen" and then your left with, "well I guess that works too." This carries on throughout the entire anime.

*spoiler ish end

The anime was also something different from what I normally see. It makes you sad, happy, angry. It was a really "feely" anime I thoroughly enjoyed despite not enjoying anime like that really in the first place. Maybe it's just me. It didn't take the route you think it would on most parts. Even if it would've made the anime better. It took it's own route that might've even made the story not as fulfilling. It had a Steins:Gate feel to it and that's the best I can describe it.

As for everything else,


Art: 8/10
I really did like the style and art of the anime, but it wasn't anything mind blowing. It fit with the anime and really did match the feeling of it all, but it wasn't necessarily unique. It did have it's moments though. Like lips, or eyes lol.

Sound: 9/10
Nothing too AMAZING about the audio of this anime. There was actually a lack of sound, but I'd say that was perfect for the type of anime it is. Though, there also was a lot of sound. A lot of moments where ambience kicked in and really set the mood. Not to mention the amazing OP. I suggest you watch it. I highly suggest you watch it every single time. Or at least through episodes 9-12. (Adds to the mood)

Characters: 10/10
They weren't all that unique, that developed, or the greatest characters I've seen, but they fit into this anime like the last piece in a puzzle. The way the characters played into the anime was amazing. You get to see them in the light of Satoru the MC since we're following him through this experience and with such an incredible mc the side characters rise as well.

Enjoyment: 10/10
Enjoyment isn't the best way to put it, but I definitely loved this anime. It was a nice change of pace from the usual anime I watch and the ones being released now. I watched the whole series in a afternoon and it really made me regret putting it off for as long as I did. It's one I'd suggest to anyone.

Overall: 10/10
It's not terribly unique or anything, and it doesn't always do what you like, but that doesn't stop it from being remarkable. Looking back at my review it seems really vague so I'll say it now. This anime is definitely worth watching. It's the type of anime that really makes you think. It touches upon a lot of real problems that we overlook daily, and one's we may not even see as a problem. For me especially, it made me question my introverted, solitary ways and values... Anyways, it's a feels road trip I'm really glad I took. Give it a chance if you have the spare time.


Anime Score: An afternoon with vanilla ice-cream