Aug 15, 2015
I almost feel like I need to start this review by disclosing that Sora, the main character, is undeniably and awesomely OP. If this bothers you, the anime likely bother you. BUT, if you enjoy letting his OPness flow through your veins as you watch this fast-paced anime, then you'll enjoy the hell out of No Game No Life.
The story is one of the strong points of NGNL. If I had to compare it to anything, I'd say NGNL is like the love-child of Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo? and Death Note. A weird combo, I know, but I think it plays
...
out beautifully. There's a complex and almost psychological element to each game Sora plays, but everything is watered down and made bright and fun by classic anime cliches and humor. Some may be offended I even dared to compare NGNL to Death Note, but the way in which the MCs execute plans with hidden components and steps thought out so far ahead it makes your head spin are too similar to deny. On the other hand, I'm sure everyone agrees the concept is very to MGIKKSDY... bored OP characters entering a new world, "dangerous" anime girls being made fun of, crazy fan-service, it's all the same, except NGNL actually makes you think.
The art fits great with the plot. Nice and eye-catching. If anything, it's a clear indicator to how the creators intended to sell NGNL: as the crowd pleaser of all crowd pleasers. I honestly didn't pay much attention to the music, but I'm pretty certain it all set up a good ambiance for the plot.
The biggest problem with NGNL is with characters. Sora is little more than the crowd pleaser he was made to be. He's stereotypically egotistical, invariably intelligent and yet impossibly immature. The female characters are a joke. It's actually a bit similar to SAO where supposedly serious and hardcore girls turn into puddles at the feet of the great MALE MC, who teases then into useless tsunderes. It's actually kind of sad, but this is more of a criticism of anime as a whole, not of NGNL in particular, which merely capitalizes upon it. After years of watching shit like this, I'm almost immune, but I know it'll bother a lot of people. Just don't expect any character development; most of them exist solely to advance the plot or make cheap jokes.
All that said, I still loved the show. I guess some of the cliches of anime are cliches for a reason; people love them. They didn't take away from the anime anymore than they did for well-loved animes like SAO. I hope this gets more recognition and I would recommend this for newcomers, those who are in anime slumps, and experienced anime watchers trying to pull themselves together after depressing/intense/horrific animes. NGNL is a solid 12 episodes of enjoyment, and has actually made my top 10. (Don't let all the patronizing reviewers riding their high horses prevent you from giving it a try).
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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