Alternative TitlesEnglish: Phi Brain: Puzzle of God Synonyms: Phi Φ Brain: Kami no Puzzle Japanese: ファイ・ブレイン 神のパズル
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 25
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 2, 2011 to Apr 1, 2012
Duration:
25 min. per episode Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 7.331 (scored by 11366 users)
Ranked: #18542
Popularity: #667
Members: 27,472
Favorites: 81 1 indicates a weighted score
My Info
Popular Tags
No tags found |
SynopsisKaito Daimon would be a completely average high school student except for one thing: he's a 'demon' at solving puzzles. Kaito is so brilliant, in fact, that when he's asked to take some 'special' tests of his unique ability, he immediately suspects that the test itself is a test. Kaito suddenly finds himself caught up in a lethal Philosopher's Puzzle made by the sinister group POG, a murderous maze of trap upon trap, where failing to solve the secret correctly will result in death! Fortunately, Kaito's skills prove up to the first test, both for himself and his childhood friend Nanoha, who is also caught up in the deadly scheme. But now that he has been designated as a Solver, he is pulled into a new life where he must travel the world with other Solvers, attempting to solve the latest deadly riddles left by POG. There's a new conundrum around every corner and each deception could lead to death, but once a riddle has been posed, you can count on Kaito to unfold, unravel and unlock it!
(Source: Sentai Filmworks) |
Related AnimeAdaptation: Phi Brain: Saigo no Puzzle, Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle
Sequel: Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle 2nd Season
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
|
|
InfiniteRufus
25 of 42 people found this review helpful
|
25 of 25 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
5 |
| Story |
5 |
| Animation |
3 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Character |
5 |
| Enjoyment |
6 |
Phi Brain is all about solving puzzles, however if you think that you'll be able to solve puzzles along with the protagonists, then I'll put that hope to rest now, you're not, whilst you'll get the occasional glimpse at the whole puzzle they are for the most part exclusively for the characters.
The character designs are very brash and crude, very much like the show itself, and whilst I am hesitant to call them outright bad they are certainly below average. This is a low budget anime, and so the animation and art is poor, expect to see many off model shots every episode, which are often so bad that they are distracting. Whilst this is the case, the animation level doesn't detract too much from the anime as a whole.
The music is worlds apart from the art, the opening "Brain Diver" is a catchy and energetic song that fits the series well, and the ending, "Hologram" is a pleasant track that grows on you as the series progresses. The soundtrack is also pretty good, which at points makes up for the appalling animation quality. It isn't amazing, but is remarkable considering the budget, and works well to make the action scenes tense.
During the first few episodes you will find yourself hard pressed to like the main characters, as the first few episodes focus on making Kaito look as cool as possible by having him casually solve difficult puzzles and the like, to the point where it feels like they're trying to force it down our throats. Gammon comes across as loud and obnoxious, and Cubic seems like an arrogant child prodigy. However as the series progresses past the first few episodes and onto the main plot, the characters become much more likable. This is because they stop trying to outdo each other in both arrogance and in puzzle solving and start working together against the antagonists of the series, the POG.
The story starts off very simply, the POG will set Kaito a puzzle and he'll proceed to solve it using his Orpheus armband, often with the help of one of the geniuses that Kaito meets during the first few episodes. Fortunately the plot becomes more engrossing before too long which makes the series more interesting and reduces the repetitiveness. Don't expect anything deep or complicated from the main plot of Phi Brain as it's still straightforward and standard shounen, but it's an improvement. The puzzles act as a way for the characters to fight each other, and in later episodes "battle puzzles" are introduced, where the two contestants directly match their wits. This is quite entertaining at times, however, the fact you can't see the puzzle in its entirety is frustrating, as it alienates you from the tactics employed.
Phi Brain improves as it progresses, but it never reaches the level of quality I would have liked, however that does not mean it's bereft of entertainment, and although it doesn't have the gripping battles of wit it was aiming for, it's a simple shounen that you can find fairly enjoyable if you aren't feeling too critical. read more
|
|
moonlightgirl
76 of 139 people found this review helpful
|
4 of 25 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
5 |
| Animation |
4 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
5 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
Phi Brain has one of the widest gaps between an astoundingly moronic premise and a brilliant execution that I've ever seen in an anime series.
The series can be summed up as "basically a less merchandise-driven Yu-Gi-Oh, but instead of HEART OF THE CARDS it's UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS OF PUZZLES". Denouements for each episode are easy to see, especially if you've ever seen any other anime series in your life. The animation is bad by 2011 standards and the character designs are amateurish. By all accounts this show should be awful and a waste of time.
And yet, it is neither, due to its dedication at being hilariously over the top.
Take, for example, a flashback in the first episode wherein a certain person implores the main character to solve unsolveable puzzles and ease their pain. Or the moment, also in the first episode, where the female lead asks about what to do, to which the main character replies "Isn't it obvious? It's PUZZLE TIME!" as a salsa tune kicks in. While Yu-Gi-Oh had moments of shining brilliance such as this, they were mere glimmers amidst the sea of generic shounen merchandise glut and couldn't bring up the show. With Phi Brain, these moments ARE the sea, and just when you think the well has run dry, an unnecessary character revelation or an inappropriate phrase pops up and gives you such a giddy whiplash that you're sold all over again.
And the show is currently only four episodes in! Should it continue this trajectory for the remainder of its 25 episode run, it may end up as one of the better offerings from the Fall 2011 season.
People who complain that the puzzles are mostly solved off-screen are missing the point. The show really isn't about the puzzles, and they're given the focus that they get so that the viewer can solve it him/herself and feel like they, too, can be the GOD OF PUZZLES and not focus too much on how things like sudoku and the rush hour puzzle are presented as brain-busting puzzles that only the most brilliant of minds could ever hope to solve.
Other factors that work in this show's favor are Jun Fukuyama, who is hamming up his role so much that he probably wore a curly tail and snout to recording sessions, and the opening theme song, which is the aural equivalent of a plastic army figurine melting in a microwave.
The viewing experience of Phi Brain is akin to watching a three-legged dog energetically hobble its way down the street, trying to dodge passersby and obstacles, in order to reach a fire hydrant to piss on. You have much better things to spend your time on than watch this dog. Your brain deserves to be devoted to much better. And yet you stare transfixed at this dog, from the second you first notice it to the moment the last drip falls, and you finally know true beauty and contentment. read more
Recommendations
|
|
The main characters love puzzles and are challenged by different people in an episodic fashion. In both series, the protagonist receives an ancient artifact that in a way takes over their mind and solves the puzzle for them (not so much in Kami no Puzzle as the artifact awakens the boy's true power, whereas Yugi actually becomes possessed by the spirit). In both series, the characters risk their lives in solving puzzles. It also has a mention of Egypt and pyramids and how the puzzles began there, which is another factor present in both. I would also recommend YGO Duel Monsters (original Japanese of course) as it has the theme of protagonists being lured into some shady competition against their will. But all in all, this first YGO series is more similar to Kami no Puzzle (and also focuses on various games, unlike Duel Monsters which focuses on just that), though certainly has a much darker and creepier atmosphere.
puzzles, gold relic that helps the main characters in the things they are doing. they both have something that that isn't relay crazy popular irl but its the bigest thing in there worlds, yu-gi-oh is duel monsters and in Phi Brain its puzzles and in bother there is the king of the the things. Also in each of them the main is genius related to what the thing is.
Both animes are about solving different types of puzzles and playing different games, unlike other game animes that are concentrated only on the one game. Both protagonists are obsessed with games and puzzles. + mentions of egypt
If you like game/ puzzle/ strategies animes, this may do the job
In both anime the protagonist has to play various kinds of games to save his life or the life of his friends. They both also use antiquities with mystical powers, and are highschool students.
|
|
|
The summary of the show greatly reminds me of the storyline for Spiral.
The both series share the same kind of intenseness and both the main characters are cool and level-headed (plus quite good-looking!) males who will constantly get into lethally dangerous situations from which they survive only by thinking.
Both series deals with power of the brain to solve puzzles throughout the series.
The main protagonist in both series are highly intelligent and cunning of what they do. The main female protagonist with them acts as an aid for them in various situations throughout the series. It is also hinted that she has a slight crush on him.
Both series also takes place at a school life setting dealing with the various mysteries that are presented in each episode. There is comedy, drama, and some emotions as well.
All about using you're brain and figuring things out.
|
Opening Theme"Brain Diver" by May'n
Ending Theme"Hologram" (ホログラム) by Natsumi Kiyoura
Fansubbing Groups
Which fansubbers do you like the best? Click + to approve of their subs for this show. Click - if you don't think they did such a great job.
Related ClubsAkira Ishida, Scrumdiddlyumptious Food in Anime, ♛☠♥ We Love Anime ♥☠♛, Anime Revolution ♡, Odd Eyes Club, Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle Fan Club, The Fukuyama Jun Fanclub, On Goings Club, Mutirão Brasil - Ver. Summer Season 2012, Split Personality Fan Club, World of Animes (W.O.A.), !~~tsubasalover's Friendships~~!
Recently Watched By|
44 minutes ago |
56 minutes ago |
1 hour ago |
1 hour ago |
2 hours ago | |
2 hours ago |
2 hours ago |
2 hours ago |
3 hours ago |
3 hours ago |
|
|
