Nanatsu no Taizai

The first episode of the series ends on a very high note, hooking you up and making you want to see more. But the series simply does not live up to the hype it builds. With a plot that is simple and generic, character progression that feels rushed and fight scenes that could have been a lot more inspired, Nanatsu no Tanzai feels like a betrayal of what it could have been. It's not bad, and there are some nice and touching moments, but it is simply not good either.

The funny thing about sins is that we all have it. As some part of us, there’s a sin in everyone. It’s simple really because they are natural human instincts. That’s hardly what Nanatsu no Taizai is about though. On the surface, the show seems to talk about the sins in their variety. But really, this series is more about a journey, one that has our heroes find those lost Sins. Like a classic adventure, Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins) crafts the extraordinary portrait of how a journey should be in such a fantasy world.

Let’s get something over with first. This series has the infamous studio known as A-1 Pictures in charge which spells out for some controversy. Known for their other adaptations such as Sword Art Online, Magi, Blue Exorcist, and other related works, they have created some controversy when adapting shounen titles. If you’re thinking adequacy, then you may be right. They are known for butchering up manga material with adaptations such as the latter half of Blue Exorcist and first season of Magi. For Nanatsu no Taizai, the series runs for over 100+ chapters and is still ongoing. The worry may be that the series will be butchered to an extent that will be unsalvageable. While it does suffer a bit of that, the show does shine in its own ways. It’s by no means an earth breaking adaptation yet still has its compelling ideas bought into light.

Taking on account of premise, the show should be fairly straightforward. We have a young girl named Elizabeth, who also happens to be the princess of a kingdom. From the first episode, she meets a young boy named Meliodas happily serving to customers at a tavern. It heads into an outlandish route once we learn his true identity as the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins. From here on and out, the duo remarks on a journey to find the remaining Sins. There’s also some explanations regarding the origins of the series in the beginning so all should be made clearly to the audience. Taking for granted, the show is generic from first glance. The world setting the series takes place in is decorated with fantasy gimmicks. Whether it’s one of those ancient fortresses, dungeons, enchanted forests, or even land of the dead, the series doesn’t try to pull anything new from its hat. However, it’s also important to take notice how much they have influence with the events of the series. The show puts on emphasis on some of the settings such as the enchanted forest and its significance. Even past events connected to some of the setting becomes significant in the overall story development. Similarly, most major characters in the series has holds some significance in their roles. The seven deadly sins are perhaps the most infamous examples as the Holy Knights hunts them in an almost cat-and-mouse like story on occasions.

But when it comes to performance, it’s hard to not take off eyes on our adventurers. Starting with Elizabeth, we can see how gentle she is as a princess yet also brave at heart. Her relationship with the other Sins develops gradually over the course of this show starting with Meliodas. While the two are hardly compatible, there is an innate connection between the two. It also makes us wonder more about them individually as characters. The show makes clever usage of flashbacks to give the Sins some character backgrounds such as with Meliodas, Ban, and King. Unfortunately, the show doesn’t capitalize on all of them and skips some material that are necessary. Still, the characterization is what’s important there and it adapts most of that in its right path except for perhaps Elizabeth. Her character hardly gets any character development and is frustrating to watch. That same also goes for Hawk; the pig who for some reason has the name of a bird despite being incapable of flight. During their journey, they do influence certain outcome of events but the focus on their characters on an individual level is moderate at best. There’s also a decent chemistry between certain characters including the Sins and Holy Knights. Nanatsu no Taizai is about a journey after all and events connecting with characters of the past can influence those in the present and even the future.

Relationships can also be something to keep an eye on. From strong friendship to romance, the series undertakes ways to flesh them out. However, do not expect top tier adaptation coming from A-1 Pictures. Certain parts are left out that could of made specific relationship seem more realistic. At the same time, we can also see how human some of the characters are. This is demonstrated by the emotions characters show ranging from sorrow, to anger, to regret. It extends to not only the Sins but also the Holy Knights. While not as clearly focused as the Sins, some of them do get character background with examples like Gilthunder. The show makes it clear that some of them are antagonists although there are also changes down the road. Despite all this, the show still has a trend for what shounen series does which usually leads up with predictable outcomes.

Standing on its feet, the show marks its spot for a fantasy series clearly evidenced by its colorful background. The artwork is well adapted from the manga to illustrate a diverse range of characteristics you would find in any shounen series. Mountain ranges, enchanted forests, and crude dungeons are all fantastically illustrated. The character designs also has variety to give each of them a unique look. Whether it’s Diane’s titanic figure, Ban’s delinquent face, or Gilthunder’s cold expressions, the show is able to create a concrete degree with the variety. I also give praise to the battle scenes as effort can be seen with most of the fights. A few parts will be expected to be left out while the pacing can feel oddball at times. Nonetheless, the show has a good way to balance out its action. Finally, you may be raising your eyebrows on occasions with the fan service. While the show isn’t in the ecchi territory, it does have parts when Meliodas plays with Elizabeth’s skirt like some kid at the candy store or when she is almost completely naked (for legitimate reasons) on more than one occasion.

Get ready to put on your headphones. Anyone familiar with Hiroyuki Sawano’s work will easily recognize his music style. While it seems generic at first, the soundtrack is clearly and impeccably crafted with strong precision. It coordinates with action scenes well that some of the battles feel like miniature movies. OST also has a decent balance when it comes to comedy and drama. However when it comes to voice adaptations, there are mixed thoughts. Characters such as Meliodas and Elizabeth sound dull and stereotypical. On the other hand, characters like Diane and Ban has a better fit to their personalities. When it comes to voice mannerisms, it’s important to see how their roles fit with the story. Some clearly has what it takes while others falls off short. Similarly, the OP and ED theme songs fits with the show’s gimmicks but is generic to the core when it comes to rhythm.

As a 2 cour show, it’s easy to say that adapting this series to perfection is an impossible mission. What this show did accomplish though is drawing out the shounen gimmicks to its core. The colorful cast of characters unites a variety of personalities in a classic adventurous journey. And during that journey, we see the challenges our adventurers endears and the obstacles they face. It’s not a complex show really when it comes to the story in the end. Also be aware that this season apparently leaves off some hints for adaptations in the future. With the artwork and soundtrack clearly made to the point and a reasonable premise, it’s all part of this said machine.

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“Seven Deadly Sins: Lion’s sin of pride, Serpent’s sin of envy, Boar’s sin of gluttony, Goat’s sin of lust, Grizzly’s sin of sloth, Fox’s sin of greed and Dragon’s sin of wrath.”

Action without reason or thought is just a testosterone-trip; complete with flashy powers and fights that drag on for way too long. So, it’s interesting to see an anime that suffers from these clichés and more – but also utilizes them to their fullest extent, giving rhyme and reason to them, and making the show a whole lot more fun and meaningful than was expected.

[STORY]
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The core plot is simply the adventures (and misadventures) of an unlikely team as they traverse the land, looking for other members of a mysterious group known as the "Seven Deadly Sins”. While traveling, the ‘team’ comes across other past members, gets into fights with various characters, help people out, chat, joke and just generally try to have fun and do what is just while working towards completing their ultimate objective of reuniting all seven and reclaiming the land. The series has a great grasp on balancing the humor, the drama, and the action. One never seems to overpower the other.

The soul of this show though, is divided into two aspects: the fights, and the character development (which often ties into the aforementioned aspect). Most of the main characters (and many of the side characters and antagonists) get their time to shine and be developed. Character dialogue, actions and interactions, as well as fantastic backstories for many of the characters really flesh things out and add a sense of purpose and reason to the story.

Also, things don’t always end up being what they appear to be, and there are many points in the series where completely unexpected things happen that really help make the series more refreshing and less repetitive. But, some parts of the plot are a bit convoluted. Nothing that should detriment the experience, but things can sometimes seem a bit… off.

Lastly, the ending is a bit lackluster, but still thrilling to watch. And, the way it ends leaves it open to the possibility of a new season.

[ART]
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Art in ‘Nanatsu no Taizai’ is of an extremely high quality. Action scenes flow well and character designs, facial expressions, backgrounds, etc. are above par. The greatest thing about it though is that the quality is maintained throughout the series.

[SOUND]
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The music in the series is more quality over quantity. There are many pieces that are repeatedly used, but they all fit the times and scenes in which they are used and didn’t become annoying.

All four of the openings and endings are great and add to the series, rather than being something that most people would skip.

Voice acting is also of a high quality. No lines felt hammy, forced or otherwise grated on the ears.

[CHARACTER]
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This is where this show absolutely excels – for most of the characters. A majority of them have unique personalities. They fear things, love things and hate things. They cry, they laugh and they have morals, hopes and dreams. The series does a great job of building most of the characters up and making it feel like these are living, breathing people.

The main female character, Elizabeth, has a decent amount of development. But, regrettably, the main male character, Meliodas, does not. He really doesn’t seem to change over the series, and remains – for the most part – an enigma. There is a backstory given to him that helps shine a little light on who he was and currently is, but so many things remain unclear concerning his character that it can be hard to attach yourself to him as the show progresses.

The secondary characters though - who I won’t name or give details for, as finding out who they are and what they are like is a part of the series’ enjoyment – are the most well developed in the entire series. There’s a great possibility of you coming to love a character you previously hated or vice-versa.

[ENJOYMENT]
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There are a lot of flaws. But even with those flaws, this was still an immensely enjoyable series. It had great fights with meaning to them, great humor, great characters, and some really powerful stories. I was pleasantly surprised with the anime and don’t regret the time I spent on it.

[OVERALL]
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This is a fantastic action-adventure anime, and a “sin” that I will gladly partake in again soon.

~FINAL SCORES~
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Story: 8
Art: 9
Sound: 8
Character: 9
Enjoyment: 9
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OVERALL: 9

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I just wrote a long ass review on this series, and I accidentally drop my laptap and it shut off before I even submitted it. -_- sigh, I'll make this one shorter then. if this review felt lacking, its probably because I'm kinda burn out, after putting so much effort in the previous Nanatsu no Taizai review. So let's begin for a second time now.

In late 2013, I read about 23 chapters of the manga and I wasn't impress, don't know if I was not in a good mood or not. fast forward in 2015, and the anime came, I wasn't excited at all, until..... lets start with the review. ;)

Story:7/10. The story revolves around Meliodas and Elizabeth who both goal is to gather the seven deadly sins, although initially there goal for gathering the seven deadly sins is different, in the end their reason for wanting to gather them intertwined with each other. The story follows them as they gather the sins and also clearing their names on false lies about them. while also in combat with the holy nights. The story follows the normal shounen formula but it does tweak it up a little to make this series not be named as just another generic shounen anime.

Art:8/10.Art looks good, I didn't really have any problem.

Sound:8/10. Sawano is the one that compose this, should I say anything else?

Characters:8/10. The characters are the strongest aspect of this series, The author did a great job in giving flash backs to the characters, each characters have different personality, which makes the series have interesting drama. the characters have depth imo. The author took his time to develop the characters and to give them good flashback stories. we get to know who they were and what were there reason. these characters are the type that would make any series enjoyable even if the story is complete rubbish, that's how much I enjoy these characters.

Enjoyment:8/10. I enjoy this series a lot. great action, drama, romance and suspense. it had everything.

overall:8/10. Overall this series is very good. the anime has completely change my opinion on this series. I think its time to go back to the manga now. ;) anyways thank for reading! sorry if my review felt kinda lacking, I put so much effort in writing the previous one, and to see it go to waste really demoralized me.

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