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: 7.271 (scored by 6041 users)
Ranked: #19912
Popularity: #756
Members: 17,308
Favorites: 45 1 indicates a weighted score
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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
Sequel: Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle 2
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
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kota-chi
66 of 131 people found this review helpful
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2 of 25 episodes seen
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| Overall |
6 |
| Story |
6 |
| Animation |
6 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Character |
6 |
| Enjoyment |
7 |
To put 'Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle' in a nutshell, imagine watching a game of chess between two supposed grandmasters, with the added bonus of being able to hear snippets of the players' thoughts. There is just one catch: you cannot see the chessboard.
Story:
Phi Brain's concept is not out of this world: a genius highschooler taking on a dark organisation by relying on his wit to solve some of the most difficult of puzzles known to man. And the show could have been a hit, if not for the fact it decided that viewers do not need to know how the puzzles were solved. The whole kick of a psychological anime, then, is lost, as viewers simply don't feel the engagement, or the experience of sitting at the edge of your chair trying to glimpse what is going on inside the protagonist's mind.
Sound:
(Bypassing the category of Art, which is really not noteworthy) OP song is apt, ED song is generic, and the soundtrack is nothing amazing to speak of. The factor that adds points to the sound factor is actually the casting of voice actors, which are generally appropriate and convincing.
Character:
Like everything else in this show, the characters are run-of-the-mill: a reluctant hero with a supportive female sidekick and a rival who is always trying to outdo him. While I will not go so far as to state that they are completely one-dimensional, they are predictable enough that interactions quickly become bland.
Enjoyment:
Despite all these mediocre qualities, Phi Brain does provide decent entertainment. The caveat though, is that you have to see it as an average highschool action/game anime and approach it without expectations of seeing Death Note's level of analysis, or Liar Game's level of sheer genius.
Overall:
While this anime obviously flopped when it tries to provide a mental ride for viewers, I have to be fair and say that true psychological masterpieces are rare. For all its merits, Phi Brain is not bad; it just induces you into the familiar state of passive viewership. And if Phi Brain was even trying to be intelligent, there would probably be no greater insult. read more
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moonlightgirl
51 of 109 people found this review helpful
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4 of 25 episodes seen
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| 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
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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
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Both of these Anime involve a dark storyline from the start. While Mirai Nikki doesn't have actual puzzles, the characters have to figure out a kind of mental logic puzzle when it comes to the other players in the death game. As for Phi Brain, while the death games aren't as drastic, the main characters have to solve the puzzles so that they or other people won't die.
both have do or die situations.
both are based on survival games someone has setup for the main character.
both main character have girl beside the like partner.
both have many situations where they have risk their life .
both are mystery anime.
both are aired in fall anime 2011
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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 ClubsThe Fukuyama Jun Fanclub, On Goings Club, Mutirão Brasil - Ver. Spring Season 2012, Odd Eyes Club, Akira Ishida, !~~tsubasalover's Friendships~~!, Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle Fan Club
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