Starting this anime for the first time. I don't know anything about it other than the fact that it's known for its gore. I saw the "school scene" a couple times on YT, like in "bloody anime" compilations, but apparently that's not until episode 9. Along with some other clips I might've seen beforehand, I simply deducted it was a gorey show about monsters. But what really inclined me to watch this was the BRIGHT COLORS (backgrounds) that contrasted the grim tone of the show, something several people seemed to have noted on this platform. While they say it takes a way from the show, I think otherwise. Such beautiful, beautiful settings and backgrounds -- so bright and vivid and really show the beauty of the country of Japan. I especially like the bright, colorful settings with the monsters and gore occuring in its midst. That contrast really impelled me to watch the anime.
SO, ***Episode 1***
Here we go. Lol.
It was fine. The real reason I wanted to write on this forum was simply to say the fight scene was gorgeously executed. I mean, absolutely phenomenal. The monsters in this series looked terrifying, as are their capabilities -- and this was my impression beforehand -- but seeing the primary antagonist of this episode was super eerie. A terrifying looking statue (statues are scary enough) that just HOVERS a few inches over the water, my gosh. And it's MOVEMENTS and the fluid way it coordinates itself in the air. Terrifying. And yeah, the lotus arms to add to the horror. It's speed and reflexes also add to the terror. So great "villain", SUPER fluid/entertaining fight scene. Probably the highlight of the show.
... other details to note, the silent staredown only to be met with a heart-stopping *POUND* ... the strategic nature of Sayu, like when she pretends to be dead in the fog of the water OR when she dove UNDER the hovering statue to reach her sword. I EVEN liked how the blood of the statue would splash onto the screen ("lens"). My issue with this was that the blood would blur across the screen, however the actual water they fought in didn't splash the screen.
I HEAR however that the overall story is not and won't be any good though, and we'll be "left in the dark" regarding these monsters purposes.
Therefore I will say I can't nor can anyone else take anything away from this first episode. We don't know wtf the story is as it just seemed like a bunch of random events.
Why'd the girl stop at the cross-walk before and stare into the horizon? (Very eerie, quiet, and a lot of tension... was it all for no reason?) ... And can this girl sense the monsters? Is that why she knew where to find the statue?
Other side notes, the twins are annoying AF. It can be a common trope in anime but it's such a take-away for me when animes throw in identical twins that say things at the same time or act in unison. Just seems unrealistic. I know the franchise as a whole is fiction, of course, but when the unrealism becomes distracting, I get a bit annoyed. Lol, that's the end of my critiques though. I think. Maybe.
I'm entertained but I'm very confused and do have quite a few other minor qualms.
Uh...
I saw someone note the "lanky" "noodle" limbs of the characters. At one point I actually did notice that. When the "group of four" girls were walking back from gym class, the legs on the twins looked terrifying. I have no other qualms with the animation, though, aside from the way the characters look at times.
My final complaint... a common trope in anime is to pierce/penetrate/stab things with swords -- then to remove the blade from the body -- only to be followed by silence, only for the blood to explode out of the body 5 seconds later. (Commonly seen in scenes with Zoro from One Piece.) You feel me? That's another "unrealistic" qualm I have. And it's gotten cliche at this point as well. To rephrase my issue, by this anime's logic, you can stab someone in the chest with a knife and then remove the knife... the victim will stand there and stare for 6-7 seconds, and only THEN will a river of blood splurge out of their chest. I guess production teams are going for an "effect", but like I said, the whole thing seems cliche.
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So my thoughts were a bit scattered. I wouldn't blame anyone if they didn't feel like reading it. But in essence, these were my primary thoughts during the episode. The things I actually felt the need to share after finishing it. I derived intrigue and entertainment from it, but there's without a doubt things that don't sit right with me (and clearly others). |