No Game No Life is an interesting anime, making good use of its short, twelve-episode span. The plot is engaging, light-hearted, and most importantly, fun. The two protagonists, Sora and Shiro, are likable and their personalities ground the fantastic elements of the show while propelling the plot forward at a stable and captivating pace. Some scenes are punctuated with awkwardness, normally in reference to the sibling duo, but the show subverts these complaints with its buoyant attitude toward its characters and themes.
No Game No Life is a vibrant anime, and it uses this effect to its own advantage, taking serious and problematic themes from the
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real world, and portraying them in and through the effervescent world and personalities that populate the show. Unrecognized potential, social frustrations and anxiety, loneliness, helplessness, and an inability to find one’s place in the real world are all at play in the show, but each dilemma is faced with an air of sincere levity, almost a tongue-in-cheek passivity. The show seems to at once understand these feelings, while also providing the perspective of maturity, acknowledging that sometimes these emotions can only exist in the vacuum that humans create for themselves.
Joining these overarching themes are the institutions of governments, politics, and war; the great powers that be, affecting each individuals’ lives, normally without their consent. The twist of the show is that Sora and Shiro have been transported to a magical world where everything is decided by games, even citizenship and country borders. By relegating these stressful, sometimes morbid, affairs into the modest and innocent format of games, the show is able to handle mature thematic ideas with an innocuous and child-like humor. Political struggles lose their dire edge when they are decided by a game of love tag, and rather than detracting from the experience, the show is able to relay these messages in more simplistic and subtle ways through the unimposing game structure. Simply put, the plot constrains complex ideas within easy-to-digest games, without every being overbearing; these aspects of the show exist, but it is easy enough to miss them amidst the audacious colors and excitable dialogue.
All of the characters in No Game No Life do a fine job of establishing their pre-defined roles, but Shiro and Sora steal the show, their chemistry and talents imparting a huge part of the entertainment the show provides. Both Shiro and Sora are capable protagonists alone, but together they thrive. Sora is endearingly arrogant and brash, able to back most of his claims and gambles with his well-devised plans and gaming expertise. Shiro is humble and reserved, acting as an immense font of intelligence necessary to brace Sora’s elaborate schemes. Alone, it is obvious that neither of the siblings would be capable of the success that they achieve through their symbiosis, and watching them interact is a pleasant experience. It was a nice change of pace to see the two characters fully comprehend and accept their predicament and place in the new world, instead of trying to return to a reality they clearly had no part in. My only minor gripe is that more time was spent establishing their characters as opposed to developing them, but with only twelve episodes, the show could only do so much.
The art style is as refreshing as the cheery plot, providing a peaceful and colorful ambience throughout the show. At some points, the artistic direction can be a bit glaring, with it looking like somebody smeared blue and pink cotton candy all over the screen, but the vivid colors were a welcome change of pace from the drab, dreary worlds of other anime, for the most part, at least. The lines were sharp and the character models were both emotive and expressive of each characters’ personality; this is also noticeable in the non-imanity races. Speaking of the non-imanity races, of which there are fifteen, it would have been nice to see more of them, but considering there are more races than episodes, it is a forgivable omission.
The soundtrack was as pleasant as the visual spectacle presented in each episode, matching the color and mood the show presented. The opening song hovered between the light atmosphere and serious subject matter that the show tackled, blending nicely with the artistic and thematic direction.
Of the few complaints I do have, the most notable would be the more ecchi elements at play. I have nothing against ecchi in and of itself, but when a show sports an eleven-year-old girl, I would prefer it if her clothes remained on. It isn’t an issue that is large enough to subtract from the show’s overall appeal and score, but it didn’t leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling either. Aside from that, the show’s only real downside is its length, as I feel that if it had more time it could have expanded on the characters, games, and lore.
No Game No Life was a welcome surprise, easily worth watching. When the only major complaint I can level against an anime is that it wasn’t long enough, it becomes easy to recommend. I wouldn’t say that the story or characters are deep, and I didn’t walk away from the show with a new appreciation for anime, but then that was never the goal in the first place. No Game No Life is fun and entertaining. What more does it need to be?
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Apr 1, 2015
No Game No Life
(Anime)
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No Game No Life is an interesting anime, making good use of its short, twelve-episode span. The plot is engaging, light-hearted, and most importantly, fun. The two protagonists, Sora and Shiro, are likable and their personalities ground the fantastic elements of the show while propelling the plot forward at a stable and captivating pace. Some scenes are punctuated with awkwardness, normally in reference to the sibling duo, but the show subverts these complaints with its buoyant attitude toward its characters and themes.
No Game No Life is a vibrant anime, and it uses this effect to its own advantage, taking serious and problematic themes from the ... 
Mar 31, 2015
Akame ga Kill!
(Anime)
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Akame Ga Kill tried. I guess that’s noble in its own right, but in this case it just wasn’t enough. Sadly, Akame will only be receiving a participation badge in the race for best anime. It wasn’t a terrible ride, though there were definitely bumps along the way, but in the end I expected more from this series. I wouldn’t unwatch Akame Ga Kill, but it is certainly disappointing in the fact that the show had a fair amount of potential, which it unceremoniously squanders.
*Very Slight Spoilers May Follow* Akame Ga Kill had promise. The promise of a mature storyline, interesting characters, and a healthy ... |
