Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou: Prologue

Spoiler Free TLDR; Most fans will enjoy this, but the potential it had was wasted so badly that I'd argue it added nothing and was not needed; very cookie-cutter/uninspired. Not only that, initially the way to view this was not worth the effort nor money due to it being at an event. It's now available on streaming platforms and due to that fact, I will have a score that will reflect that.
Day 1 score Lowest 01/10 (Lowest acknowledges lack of availability and what-if's/wasted-potential,) Highest 05/10 (Highest ignores availability and what-if's/wasted-potential)
Present Day Lowest 03/10 (Acknowledges what-if's/wasted-potential,) Highest 05/10 (Ignores what-if's/wasted-potential)







... Spoiler Free Review:
Every time Arifureta has a chance to add something, it almost always has something negative to it with how its handled, especially so with the "extras." Those being "Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou Recap," "Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou Specials," and the exact thing I'm reviewing "Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou: Prologue." The thing that all three of them have in common is that they have an abundant amount of content that. IS. NOT. NEEDED. I assume the "Recap" was made for more time to produce the anime, fair enough it's much easier to reuse assets, but as you may have guessed/remembered the necessity for the viewer to watch this recap was so minor that most viewers laughed at it's existence. The "Specials," while adding content I thought was actually interesting comparatively, also reused assets just for recap scenes. In my opinion, these "Specials" were worse, since to get them legally, you had to have the Blu-ray release of S1 and I'm sure the marketing team had pushed the idea that you "had to get this to see this GREAT content." So you might be wondering how do these problems apply to "Prologue. . ."

Before I resume bashing this I need to make this clear, the idea to show what happened to the class right before and right after the summoning(?) is a good idea. However, what they chose to do with the idea is so cookie cutter, so uninspired that I honestly didn't notice immediately when the audio went out for my T.V. because it was going down just like how I envisioned it. So I ask, in the way this was done, was this really needed? Didn't we all have an understanding of went down well enough while watching S1? What does this add? I gained NOTHING from watching this, because it did NOTHING with the idea. Again our understanding from S1 was so similar to what actually happened in this episode that it honestly was a waste of our time. I wouldn't be so mad about it if it wasn't how it was first presented.

"Initially screened at the Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou -Live & Act- event on January 19, 2020" is what MAL says. Now I don't have any info about it but I think we can agree that their was some sort of entry fee and that's where we can compare the extra's to one another again, money & availability.

I already explained that you needed to have the Blu-ray for the specials so that's at the bare minimum, 45 bucks and that's current day. Luckily availability is easy for it, order online or local store.
Recap, I have no info on so I'll just assume it was aired on cable so cheaper but harder to find now.
Until this happened, "It was later released via streaming platforms on March 19, 2020" (MAL,) the only way to have seen the Prolouge was to go to an event on 01/19/2020. So while the price might be cheaper than the specials theirs no way availability is easier. So imagine being a Arifureta super fan, hearing theirs extra content, going to the event because of the extra content, and seeing this. Them getting ripped off would be so great that it may have turned some super fans, to just average fans and you don't want that. Sure this doesn't apply to everyone who went because their must've been other events going on to make people decide to come but I'm still mad for the people who went just for the anime screening. Why? Well because I'm the type of person to go, just for that prologue, that's right I'm the fucking idiot who does this. This part of the review is meant to represent the minority of people who are as dumb as I. Now read the tldr for my closing statement

FORESHADOWING YOU DIDN"T EXPECT

This special episode is a must-watch for fans of the series, especially those who were left with questions after season 1. It lives up to its title as a "Prologue" by providing answers to lingering mysteries from the first season. While it doesn't attempt to be overly grand or expansive, it does exactly what it promises – it resolves unanswered questions in a concise and focused manner. This direct approach is a refreshing change of pace and a satisfying experience for viewers seeking closure.

To maximize the impact of the prologue, it is best watched after completing season 2. This ... timing ensures that all the events and character developments are fresh in the viewer's mind, enhancing their understanding of the answers provided. Watching it in this order allows for a more immersive and cohesive viewing experience.

The art style in the prologue is nothing short of exceptional, earning a perfect rating of "10/10." The level of detail in the design of the "god" character, which is faithful to the source material from the light novel, is commendable. The studio's effort in bringing the world and characters to life with such precision is praiseworthy. This attention to detail adds depth and richness to the visual aspect of the show, making it even more engaging for the audience.

In summary, "Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou: Prologue" offers a well-executed resolution to season 1's lingering questions. It's recommended to watch it after season 2 to fully appreciate the connections and revelations. The exceptional art style and the overall rating of 9.5/10 make it a highly recommended addition to the series for fans seeking a deeper understanding of the story and world.