Re:Monster

Beginning with an a gory start, this anime introduces a character type that still tickles my interest. Although they were mainly used to set the stage here, I appreciate their presence. (I've got a soft spot for yandere types.)
It really sets the tone for this anime's willingness to push boundaries right from the get-go. Kinda like how Tensura took its own spin on isekai life as a slime, with its iconic slime protagonist, Rimuru Tempest.

First thing that grabbed me was how it portrays its waifus. They're not just present for the main character's ego boost or to stir up some jealousy drama. The power ... dynamics, strength, and relationships all evolve over time, and it's understandable why the girls would fall for him... Stockholm Syndrome. Which is pretty refreshing to see.

As for the storyline; it's clear it's been well thought out. As at Episode 3, there's been none of that random event mess that leaves you scratching your head.
The animation is decent too in terms of consistency. Not mind-blowing, a bit average; Definitely a generous 6 or 7 out of 10 by today's anime standards.
And the humor? Oh, it's there, and it's clever sometimes. Fits right in with what the characters are going through.

Now, let's talk about the flaws because there are quite a few:
Some of the costume and weapon colors are just too bright. Recently, some shows have gone overboard with toning down colors, but here's the case where it's almost too vivid sometimes. Color and vibrancy work well to make hair and eyes stand out, and that was clearly well done here. But I'd rather have the costumes focus more on detail than a flashy choice of colors in this case, it steals from the character's individual design and can get a bit distracting.
The scaling can get a bit weird too, with characters either seeming too tall or shorter than they actually should be.
Also, sometimes the anime skips over actions to keep things moving. And it happens a lot. It's not a deal-breaker though, 'cause the story flows pretty smoothly overall. But it's noticeable given how often skips happen here.

Now here's a very important topic... our main character.
He's pretty likable, but doesn't stand out enough. He's calm, charismatic and quite aggressive when the situation calls for it. In my opinion he's well on his way to becoming a harem king for his rizz and boldness. I still can't forget this iconic line, "Dryad-san... itadakimasu."
If you know, you know.... Libidoooo!!!! Classic, man!

So, in conclusion, this anime reminded me why I used to love harem anime. An anime can pursue the harem dream without getting too cringe and distracting, if it has decent storytelling and relationship dynamics. A good lesson in storytelling, I'd say.
It's not on the level of Tensura, in my opinion. But without a doubt it's incredibly entertaining, and I say it's worth a shot if you love isekai. I'm giving it a rating of 7 for the experience so far, might change it depending on how the story unfolds from here on.

The perfect way to describe this anime is "outdated."

From the plot, the characters, the animation, and even the opening song, it feels like they belong in the early or mid-2010s.

"Re:Monster" is supposedly "different" from your average isekai anime because the MC didn't reincarnate as a noble knight, a hero, or any high-ranking caste, but instead as a goblin. Sure, it's not the most unique, because some characters in different anime reincarnated into something more bizarre like a pig, a sword, and a vending machine, but still, it elevated itself in terms of uniqueness compared to your average isekai.But is it, though...?

Apparently not. The MC only ... looks and acts like a goblin only in the first and the first quarter of the second episode. And this is me being generous because even in the first episode, he already isn't acting like a "goblin". He can talk, he has common sense, and then in the next few minutes, he already evolved into something that just looks like a green elf. And if you think that the goblin in this anime is like the one in "Tensura," where goblins are a civilized race of monsters, then you are wrong. The goblin here is still depicted as a loather and pillager, savages that also kidnap female humans that later will have non-consensual "in and out" action performed on them. It's similar to the very goblin depicted in "Goblin Slayer," just taller, more good-looking, and there's a female goblin as well, which makes the kidnapping thing unnecessary. But all of this doesn't really matter because this whole ordeal is forgotten in the second episode when the MC becomes the leader of the goblins, and he forbids this practice.

Every sense of uniqueness is gone in the second episode because it develops just like any anime with an OP MC. The MC gets "cheat", he becomes powerful, and gets a lot of women.

The characters in this anime feel bland and plain both in personality and design. Sure, they're good-looking to some extent, but still too bland as a set of characters. In fact, most of the female characters introduced in the beginning only have "I fall in love with the MC" as their characters. Imagine a group of women getting kidnapped from human civilization by goblins, then somehow the leader of those goblins is being nice to them, and then the group of women falls so hard for the MC to the point that none of them mind being his side woman, despite the fact that the MC is literally THE LEADER OF MONSTERS THAT KIDNAPPED THEM.

The animation is also outdated. It feels like it should be airing in 2013 or 2014, but TV Tokyo forgot to air it until 2024 and then added it to the spring 2024 roster as if the schedule hadn't bloated enough.

So the only selling point of this anime is a decent amount of fan service. There are sex scenes, though not really vulgar, and some nudity is shown.

This is also the kind of anime where everything bad barely happens so you can enjoy it with a peaceful heart because the MC will slay everything that tries to hurt his girls because, again, seeing anime girls get killed sucks.

Overall, if you have too much time to spare, you may or may not give this show a try.

Ah, Re: Monster—a tale that teeters on the precipice of intrigue, tantalizing viewers with the promise of a unique twist on the tired trope of reincarnation.

Picture this: a human soul, reborn amidst the chaos of a fantastical world, not as a noble knight or a valiant hero, but as a lowly goblin. A refreshing departure from the norm, wouldn't you say? But alas, dear viewer, our protagonist's journey takes an unexpected turn as he discovers that consuming just about anything grants him unimaginable powers. Talk about a fortuitous turn of events!

And so, armed with his newfound abilities, our goblin-turned-overlord embarks on a conquest of epic ... proportions, amassing a loyal goblin army and a harem to sleep with faster than you can say "OP protagonist."

Now, for those seeking a testosterone-fueled power trip, this anime may hold some appeal. After all, who wouldn't relish the opportunity to vanquish foes and win maidens' hearts with nary a care in the world? But for those with a discerning palate, the taste of disappointment may linger like a bitter aftertaste.

But fear not, intrepid viewers, for amidst the rubble of shattered expectations lies a glimmer of hope. Whispers in the wind speak of a narrative crescendo, promising untold revelations and climactic showdowns that may yet redeem the series in the eyes of its audience.

So, to watch or not to watch? That, my friends, is the question. While Re: Monster may stumble in its execution, it offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world brimming with potential—a world where the line between hero and villain blurs and where the greatest battles are fought not with swords but with the power of choice.

As for me, I shall remain ever vigilant, for in anime, the journey is often as captivating as the destination.
4/10