Not Recommended
Huge seeds were sown, but what grew were weeds and chaff. This has to be satire or something. There are only 2 conclusions after watching the debut fantasy shows from this season. Either we’re entering a phase of the worst Japanese writers ever, or they’re intentionally trolling us and I didn’t get the joke. I don’t know how they managed to fumble this set-up. A non-stop sequence of bait and switch tactics. In 12 episodes they’ve adapted 1-49 chapters of the manga. From skimming through the manga they did alright job in adaptation. The issues in the writing and general pacing persist in the manga, though I don’tknow about the Light Novel.
You’ll hear from others that this show is shamelessly copying from it’s successful predecessors. You shouldn’t complain about copying, If something is good, reproduce it a million times. What people don’t realise is that even copying, is a skill. Most of the inspiration is subject to a very cruel butchering. The author doesn’t understand what they’re copying. They lack the wisdom nor the understanding to stage the timing or to gauge the level of effect. They race through events, skipping to the climax so there’s no adequate build up for the important moments.
My eyes lit up and I rubbed my hands furiously every time I saw they were so evidently influenced by Overlord. I thought “There’s no way they can ruin this”. By the end of it my face drooped in pure disgust, utterly bewildered at how terribly they executed it. We have the classic, elephant- behind-bamboo-tree disguises, How are we practically omnipotent in an animated fantasy show, but can’t just change facial appearance or even better just wear a full suit of armour or disguise. We put on the most anorexic masks like we’re doing fancy dress party. We walk around in a GOLDEN suit of armour! While we stress about discretion? It’s too much for my brain sadly. I also get a sinking feeling that he’s just too powerful, he knows too much, he is far too mobile all times it’s very overbearing, such that it eliminates all tension.
They pick a handful of these themes but nothing is fleshed out. You take a sip of this resultant rich diabolical soup, you grimace and you’re instantly reminded of true brilliance of its predecessors. The writer didn’t give the plot enough time to blossom, there wasn’t enough careful focus on the themes or characters. If you want incorporate all these elements and characters then you need a great helping of time to prevent your story from paralysing the learned mind. An example is Tower of god, the damned thing is still ongoing but more importantly, for the anime, they needed an entire season for the betrayal phase. How long do you think the betrayal phase was for this show? I’ll be generous and say a single episode. If you’re expecting story, they’ve come empty handed, character development thrown to the wayside.
Continuing on about this short betrayal phase. It’s unfortunately also a huge issue for the believability as a whole.
They also make the stupid decision to skip all the development during the build-up after the betrayal phase. So he’s zero then next episode he’s hero, that’s an inconceivable shift for the viewer. The matters are made worse due to his child-like disposition and the fact that he is young. Children are used as a device in writing because it gives the idea to the reader of development. Just think to sports, like a young football player, people flock to these players because they’re drunk on the idea of the future development. Similarly so a child implies development and growth. Continuing with this they really ought be to be careful in showing and implementing an adequate phase to ensure that the viewers/readers are satisfied. The series of events were like you went to sleep and you’re Bill Gates the next day but with a child’s mind and body. It’s so readily discomforting and ludicrous. They give a reason for this, but how can such a pitiful statement excuse omitting one of the most important stages of these kinds of stories. This also creates an issue where we rarely get to see his ability in a meaningful way. The premise is in the title, this “MUGEN GACHA” doesn’t really define the experience, it seems like a gateway to tell their amalgamation of themes from successful works. Even the basis for the magic system isn’t well explained at all.
From my understanding in terms of revenge, there’s two types of people. People who genuinely enjoy others’ suffering and those who don’t. In a revenge story usually the original person didn’t enjoy others’ suffering but due to the traumatic nature of his betrayal he becomes that kind of person who does. The thing is, this MC, he’s just not that person. I recall vividly the times he tries to sound cruel and callous, it’s a genuine misfit. Not only does his height, his facial disposition, his voice actor betray him, the entire character short-sells him as well. I just don’t believe he has that cruelty to him. Every time he actually tries to enact his revenge or does the crazy-evil-face it just feels fake, pretentious and forced. Farcicality stemming from the stark lack of correlative behaviours, mannerisms or mentality that precludes or predisposes him to it. Outside of the betrayal he’s a little boy who wants to have a lot of friends basically, the betrayal did basically nothing for his character and this is an issue in the writing.
I’ve heard the phrase, “cardboard cutouts”, while people will blanket this term on most of the characters actually it’s just not the case. There was a wealth of promise in these characters, it’s so sad it mostly went to shame. I particularly mention the antagonists, which sadly I ended up rooting for, more than the MC. The antagonists feel real, their dialogue was the most fun I had during the show, some were actually funny, there were some routines that started to lift my spirit. A few had their time to shine but others which should have at least matched that brightness were snuffed out far too quickly. The greatest problem however lies within the main cast, him and his crew are absolutely abominable. They’re pseudo one-dimensional, that phrase I initially mentioned fits them perfectly. They don’t show enough individuality and when they do it’s so disjointed, lacking charisma and authenticity. The chemistry between them could barely boil raindrop, their routines and conversation are so uninspired and boring. You’ll barely ever perceive their convictions beyond wanting to sleep with the MC or adjacent sensibilities. Revenge is a very personal thing it’s hard to get even your best friend to care about it if it never directly affected them, how about a whole company of people? Yeah it doesn’t make sense why they care and there’s just not enough effort put in to convince them as well as us the audience that they do. The MC is whatever the author wants at the time, It lacks continuity, the adequate behavioural patterns, consistency and does the story no justice.
Character dynamics display massively wasted potential, for example, if you remember ‘Alpha’ from ‘Eminence in the Shadow’;
She’s basically the first member of the MC’s syndicate, she becomes the head girl both in strength and in the hierarchy.
They have a character try to emulate her here yet all it does is further bolster your love for Alpha. That dynamic between Alpha and the rest of the girls exhibits that writer’s brilliance, they respect her, showing great deference to her. They might be jealous of her position even so they would never pull anything stupid to spite her, this show has the illusion of that kind of hierarchy but then betrays it immediately in action. You can never walk past someone you respect without their permission, it’s fundamental non-verbal behaviour. The rule is broken upon the first time we witness this character dynamic. This mediocrity extends to moments were the writer is trying to get the characters to be quirky or comedic, rather than producing relatability with positive emotions, it ruins the immersion. Their outbursts and timing in dialogue always seems to fervently halt any attachment the viewer tries to have. They steal each other’s light.
As for the art and animation, do not let anyone tell you that this is bad. In fact, if they were adapting my favourite LN or manga I’d be overjoyed. There’s obviously a very close resemblance to Dan-Machi’s style, as this is from the same studio they were very resourceful. Their efforts bore fruit, It’s very easy on the eyes. Animation was fluid and clean throughout, they did a great job with the material. My greatest critique lies in the source, especially with the character design. The antagonists’ designs less so than the main cast. In particular, outfits for the main females very much betrayed their hierarchy/order. I compare it to Albedo from Overlord, she wears a full dress gown down to her toes yes, it’s revealing in a few areas for fan service purposes but other than that the design projects her position. Hell, when she goes into battle she wears a full suit of armour, making it extremely immersive. The Albedo-like version in this show has a short maid dress, It’s so off-putting you don’t have the idea that she’s in charge, which is in complete juxtaposition to Albedo, let’s not even begin to mention what she fights the battles in.
There were a few interesting things along the way..
- City of Wolves being named after an a peculiar City in Africa.
- A character with a familiar name from OPM (which aired simultaneously this season)
- The soundtrack trying their absolute best to evoke the kind atmosphere, Overlord produced in tense moments.
- A great deal of gore.
Final Rankings.
Animation – 8 – No complaints here.
Sound – 8 – Their efforts were far too evident. CoTE, Arifureta Composer
Story/Plot – 2 – Non-existent story, Poorly paced plot, Themes pauperized.
Characters – 3 – While antagonists were decent, main characters failed on almost every level
Enjoyment – 4 – The production really fought for the viewer’s attention but the substance betrayed
25/50 – I don’t get the joke.
Here’s an idea, just go and rewatch Eminence, Redo and Overlord you’ll have infinitely better time than watching this wretched amalgamation of them.
Hope this helps.
