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Initially wanted to skip this anime until i saw my social media feeds get bombarded with tons of media of this show and eventually caved, and boy i'm happy i did. What an amazing show of story and characters, as well as some really well done CQC action scenes, it's not everyday i actively try to look for shows like Lycoris Recoil, but man i should more often now after watching this.
Story i liked, there were some pretty good themes that the show touched on throughout, the ones that i thought were pretty big were how the show touched on how not everything is black and white, good and bad. Sometimes the people doing the "good" aren't doing the morally good, and sometimes the "bad" guys aren't driven by just evil. Obviously themes like this usually depend on an entirely subjective pov of the viewer, but thats what i enjoyed about the shows themes, which i can vouch they did extremely well with their plot points.
With a mix use of characters and world building they delivered a good presentation and delivery of their ideas of what direction they want the story to go. In other words, i felt like they left enough explanations and clues to the story that my ending theories and thoughts were about what they aimed for.
World building was good, DA and how they operated with the Lycoris was explained pretty thoroughly and straight forward. Their overall goal was clearly defined. Alan institute was to a degree also explore well, taken the "why do it?" of the institute is intentionally supposed to be kept heavily guarded to everyone, viewers included, and crumbs is all we get, i'd say the studio did well at their intended aim for them.
Chisato and Takina's story i loved. Great interactions, rememberable scenes and moments, lots of cute and sweet moments that helped show a development for Takina's character. Chisato's story was interesting enough to keep me hooked, one could argue it was the main story to a degree, which yeh i could see. Her past, and links to Shinji were explored well enough and were easy enough to follow, her views were very clearly shown especially her stances on killing and what not. Throughout the show it's literally a recurring theme of her character that they almost spell out every ep. Besides from that, the ending to her story was a bit wonky, a lot of plot points were aiming for her death but last minute were almost swept all under the rug.
Characters i felt were a solid point of the show. All the characters were fun, unique and enjoyable to watch, each felt like they had meaning in the show and the main cast i felt got a decent development that has made me like them compared to first seeing them. With a combination of great world building and story telling, many characters over the course of the show slowly changed from my initial thoughts of them, whether it be interactions with their surroundings or others, past being shown, ideological views being shown, or even a simple conversation. Characters felt so incredibly expressive in this show that it was hard not to admire how well they can bounce of one another at times.
Character development for either side character or main characters i thought was done correctly. Side characters especially felt amazingly likeable and unique with more development they got. Kurumi for example, the longer she stayed with the gang the more she became more pro-active at helping them both at the Café and as a overwatch, she also became a great duo with Mizuki, both of them had some of the funniest scenes in the show. Kurumi's character at the end became one that would have such a big impact on the story and it's really clear through the course of the show how much her character changed while in the crew. Other characters like Sakura and Fuki, we see as petty and annoying due to their treatment to Chisato and Takina, but as the story continues, shit is shown and boom slowly more about them through their interactions, expressions with others makes your view of their character change, even ever so slightly. Mika and Shinji i think are also two shining examples of decently well developed characters. For example the studio did a great job at slow burning, revealing their pasts and how they link to one another's and Chisato in particular through the course of the show. Mika becomes this mysterious figure head of both LycoReco and Chisato and as the story progress, so does more of his past, likewise Shinji's and therefore Chisato. We start to care more about him, maybe pitty him due to his responsibility for Chisato, his promise to Shinji and the lengths he went and took. Likewise Shinji, either playing a role as a villain or saviour in Chisato's story, the man becomes another mysterious figure to a key point to the story. The three of their characters are tied so heavily to each other and the story, that if ones take a step forward to reveal something, it would end up affecting all three as well.
Chisato and Takina were great MC's imo. They present there characters well, Takina who is stoic and to the point individual that follows rules, however, will improvise or go to extremes when she has her mind set on a goal or when cornered. Chisato, this extremely cheerful, hyper active, social butterfly that can make friends with almost anyone she meets. Both almost contrast each other with polar opposite beliefs and methods. However over the course of the story and as more gets unveiled, we get to see the "what"s and "why"s of their methods and ideological beliefs. We seem Chisato have such a positive effect on the kundere Takina throughout the show and likewise Chisato's past as the show goes on.
However my favourite character overall from the show would probably be Majima, maybe cus i like wild card, anti-hero esc themed characters, but how the studio present Majima just hits rights. Due to the shows theme of understanding more then the black and white, that sometimes you can't label everything with good and bad, Majima's character fits perfectly as this morally grey character that really is fighting fire with fire, and especially when associations like DA need to be judged, he becomes this hand of justice for them. We first see him as almost a clear antagonist, planned attacks on civilians as well as illegal firearm trades its hard to argue against his case. But as the good story telling unfolds, as well as equally great world building, and further analysis of his character, we can look at Majima, then look at DA and Alan institute and start to wonder "who is the greater evil? An undercover organisation that is using orphans as hitmen to mass murder any form of threat to the country? Or the million dollar corporation that is recruiting people with an outstanding talent regardless of what they are in hopes of some weird religious 'salvation'? Or the ex terrorist that knows underground links, was practically saved by the corrupted million dollar corporation and wants to show the public a undenying truth about the country they live in, with just some extreme means?" Majima can literally be seen shift from villain to man on a mission in a world full of evil. I'm no writer, but i feel like creating characters with similar ideological mindsets as Majima would need certain requirements especially for their surroundings, but God damn if i'll say they executed imo one of best examples of developing a character deep enough to make me like him more then the main protagonist.
Besides from the ideological stuff, he's also got a genuinely chill character, unpredictable, pro-active, gets shit done.
Visuals were consistently great. The animation and character movement flowed well, action scenes felt amazing choreographed and directed. The show overall had a unique design to it, the Lycoris outfit's and world design felt captivating and a bit futuristic. Character designs also had a decently unique feel to them, each characters design i felt matched their intended character.
Sound was decent, opening and ending were meh imo but the voice acting is honestly another great point for the show. The show has some incredibly expressive voicing acting that really adds to the characters, Anzai Chika literally couldn't have done a better job at making Chisato's already lively personality, even more expressive and cheery.
The ending, i mean i guess all fingers were pointing at Chisato dying but looking at how much this show skyrocketed in popularity i'm guessing A1 decided to take the route that meant they could capitalise further with the franchise instead of ending it at only 13 episodes. I mean i don't blame them, Chisato's death would be such an impact to the story that i don't see how they could give the same feeling in s2 without her. I'd feel like it would be a wasted opportunity to just end the series after 13 eps as well, granted that S2 lives up to the bar that S1 set which only time will tell.
All in all 9/10. Story i loved, it had its twist and overall was interesting with the different ideological points and various themes were done well. Characters like wise, they presented their ideologies well, all of them felt unique and likeable at the end and idk something about character interaction in this show felt so, genuine and human? They've easily sowed the seeds for a S2, even if it meant the ending was a bit wonky, i can understand the studio capitalising off this franchise.
SouthRzVa said: Super safe finale. Not that it would have gone any other way tho. Chisato is too much of a waifu to be killed and Majima was practically immortal before this episode so of course a fall from hundreds of meters to solid concrete would have done nothing to his persona.
And so it concludes. One of the worst anime from this season, writing-wise. Its first couple of episodes were somewhat decent but everything went downhill the moment they explained Chisato's ridiculous dodging bullets ability (Ep.3?) and when they presented Majima with the most bullshit plot armour I have seen in a while. Everything else was just a bonus:
- Yoshimatsu as well as Alan institute never receiving proper context yet we were supposed to take them seriously.
- The second artificial heart asspull.
- Takina becoming a stormtrooper when the plot needed it.
- Majima reaching omnipresent and omnipotent status when he started killing Lycoris... with a car.
- Chisato defeating an entire terrorist group when she was... what? 9, 10 years old?
- Kurumi's absurd hacking abilities.
- That one Lycoris collapsing and dying after receiving a shot... in the arm.
- People, either terrorists or Lilybells, not being able to hit Chisato when the girl was just walking or hanging defenceless from a beam.
- Citizens in this show being practically deaf, braindead or both.
- Chisato stating that she wants to help others yet she let a terrorist go free twice, detonating the whole Enkuuboku incident as result. But of course, that "wasn't part of her job".
- Etc.
But well, given they didn't have the courage to kill neither Chisato nor Majima's characters, a sequel is more than guaranteed at this point. Will its writing be as atrocious as this mess of a first season? Only time will tell...
2/10 - By the way, RIP Sakura's mouth at the beginning of the episode. Like seriously, what the fuck happened with that chin?
glad someone here feels same way as me. Pretty much worst writing of season.
and yeah, sakura's chin is too weird.
Without change,we end up becoming the very person we hate.
I was dead until the moment I met you. I was a powerless corpse pretending to be alive. Living without power, without the ability to change my course, was bound to lead me to a slow death.
well that was all pretty mid but the very last moments of this anime has conveyed to me with no remaining uncertainty to me that the cast would rock in a SOL
Enjoyable ending, I'm glad they kept the seeds of doubt planted in the public, though I'm not sure why Majima set off fireworks instead of a bomb, that seemed like a bit of a copout.
The characters are the best part of the show and so fun to watch (especially the main LycoReco family), so I have high hopes for a second season, maybe a world tour?
If Majima had let himself die as Chisato's "first kill" I think it would've wrapped things up nicely. Maybe a little stain on Chisato's psyche. He tricked Chisato into thinking that there was a bomb, only to set off fireworks, and then what? Seriously, what happened? Nothing changed drastically since the series started, only small changes that hint at the DA's demise but as the studio confirmed that there'll be no 2nd season I just can't seem to care. The only thing that is implied is people waking up to the DA but even then it is only shown as a small sum of people even though there was a scene where someone had a standoff with a Lycoris and another scene where someone had a standoff with a cop, and we're supposed to believe that the DA covered up everything with a simple broadcast saying "it was on purpose". I also think that the fact that the DA literally employs orphans should've been brought up as a reminder to people that the DA as an organization aren't saints, but hey that's just a nitpick. Overall a very eh series, this episode in particular.
Season 1 is over. Hoping now for a Season 2. Anyway here are some of my observations of the series.
The Four Lycoris killed by Majima are the four girls seen in the opening montage at Episode 1.
During the Practice match at Episode, Chisota purposely shoots Sakura by her shoulders, a non-lethal wound in a real gun fight.
While, Takina shoots Fuki a head shot, an obvious kill shot. Clearly showing the two character's difference in shooting practices.
In Episode 8, after Majima’s intrusion at Chisato’s home, Takina instructed Chisato to answer her phone within 3 ring, if not she would do redial and do a 1 ring to tell Chisato that she’s coming.
In Episode 11, after getting Chisato’s phone from the cafe, Takina reverse dial Shinji’s phone that is with Chisato in the old the tower, Chisato got the message. Takina is good at her word.
How old is Kurumi? According to DA that Walnut have been operating more than 30+ years. Baring the need to learn to use a computer and then becoming the number one hacker that would lead 30 years of assassination attempt, that would make her at least 40 years old. Or, did Kurumi inherited the title of Walnut much like Dread Pirate Robert from the Princess’s Bride. Perhaps the original Walnut is Kurumi’s father that is now dead and she just continued the legacy.
Is this a PewDiePie and Marsha Cameo?!
The drawing on the glass in End Credits represented Takina’s ambitious personality but it causes her to crash land instead.
Yes, Takina during her off-time likes to lounge around in her Underwear up to Episode 4.😅
This was an exceptional anime series that I enjoyed watching every weekend for the past 13 weeks. I thought that the ending was great and was relieved that Chisato survived (and Takina too) but it did fall a little flat and I can't quite put a finger as to why I feel that way. Maybe it was the way that it was left open for a sequel, not sure.
I thought that the action and relationship between Chisato and Takina was special. I also liked the way Mika supported Chisato as if she were his daughter which I suppose she was. The other cast members such as Mizuki and Kurumi were entertaining in their own ways, and many of the episodes had great cliffhanger endings that filled me with different emotions, some good and some stressful-type fearing the worst. Superb art style, great animation and storytelling, I give this anime series a 9/10.
A predictable ending with none dies, I feel stupid watching this series, having a good impression of the first 5 episodes but in terms of writing it's going downhill from there.
Well this anime is only enjoyable if you are in a state of head empty no thoughts and love to see a cute girl doing pew pew thing
The final battle between two ends, So Majima ain't no bitch that just squeezes his way to victory and honors a true battle
Mika and Yoshi's scene was surreal the red and orange complement it so good that it makes the scene so brutal, So she still lived till the end hanging by a thread.
Few animes that bring a smile to my face added by this nut job of a show happy it ended on a good note and possible continuation of the story still entertained me even though it wasn't in my mind that the ending would be this positive but this is Chisato we're talking about this crackhead of a girl's smile doesn't wear out I'm gonna miss the OP and ED of this show bangers till the very end.
Definitely my favorite anime of the season, and with this ending, I have high hopes for sequels, I mean there were a lot of potential future plotlines setup this episode. Not to mention, Lycoris Recoil is selling like hotcakes, SO LET'S FUCKING GO!
Majima was honestly a really great antagonist and this man does not fucking die, I really liked his rivalry with Chisato, maybe we'll see him again in a potential future season.
So, did Yoshi put that card inside him, damn lmao. Mika was badass, but pain, the things we do for Chisato. It's definitely for the best that Chisato doesn't know that the reason she's alive is because Yoshi had to die, she most likely wouldn't accept it.
Anyway, I am just happy to see Chisato and Takina having fun again. That's one way to end a season, aloha. 9/10
Perfect way to end this tbh. Majima turned out to be fun character, Chisato lived without asspull where nobody dies (tho one could argue that 2nd heart was a bit too convinient) and both action and comedy were really high quality. Overall this last arc was great imo. Especially scenes with angry Takina were powerful.
Mika's leg instantly made me think of twist from my favourite VN:
It could be considered a huge success for Alan organization, no wonder Majima instead of setting a real bomb, he chose fireworks as a cover for the fight with Chisato.
Great action animations, good OP/ED and appreciate them using lots of references.
Great episode to end off an amazing series! Multiple plot twists, deep concepts, and more of the character interactions that this show does best! Overall, amazing!
SouthRzVa said: Super safe finale. Not that it would have gone any other way tho. Chisato is too much of a waifu to be killed and Majima was practically immortal before this episode so of course a fall from hundreds of meters to solid concrete would have done nothing to his persona.
And so it concludes. One of the worst anime from this season, writing-wise. Its first couple of episodes were somewhat decent but everything went downhill the moment they explained Chisato's ridiculous dodging bullets ability (Ep.3?) and when they presented Majima with the most bullshit plot armour I have seen in a while. Everything else was just a bonus:
- Yoshimatsu as well as Alan institute never receiving proper context yet we were supposed to take them seriously.
- The second artificial heart asspull.
- Takina becoming a stormtrooper when the plot needed it.
- Majima reaching omnipresent and omnipotent status when he started killing Lycoris... with a car.
- Chisato defeating an entire terrorist group when she was... what? 9, 10 years old?
- Kurumi's absurd hacking abilities.
- That one Lycoris collapsing and dying after receiving a shot... in the arm.
- People, either terrorists or Lilybells, not being able to hit Chisato when the girl was just walking or hanging defenceless from a beam.
- Citizens in this show being practically deaf, braindead or both.
- Chisato stating that she wants to help others yet she let a terrorist go free twice, detonating the whole Enkuuboku incident as result. But of course, that "wasn't part of her job".
- Etc.
But well, given they didn't have the courage to kill neither Chisato nor Majima's characters, a sequel is more than guaranteed at this point. Will its writing be as atrocious as this mess of a first season? Only time will tell...
2/10 - By the way, RIP Sakura's mouth at the beginning of the episode. Like seriously, what the fuck happened with that chin?
Lol glad someone sees past the yuri nonsense, there are legit people saying 'people who may have wanted a darker story should have go see other anime and this was about cute girls'. Yeah lol i forgot this anime had an action tag rather than slice of life if i really wanted to see cute girls. The plot is so retarded it makes me wanna cringe, especially with the pro-censorship virtue signaling, but hey, to each its own. And the cute girl part does nothing for me, the plot armour is thicker than most of the girls in this show.
The only thing I wanted is that Chisato could live a full life and I am very grateful that it was so, nothing more to say.
Say what you want but for me it is a worthy ending and I wish I had a sequel just to continue enjoying a great woman like chisato.
I didn't quite get what was up with the heart part.
My understanding:
That 2nd 'special' heart was meant for chisato, but yoshi implanted it in himself, mika shot yoshi so they could extract the heart and give it to chisato.
I absolutely loved this anime. Each and every character was interesting; even the extras had their own story. We see this through Chisato's philosophy of not killing, and it shows much depth in every character she interacts with. Now, my favorite character of all however wasn't Takina or Chisato, but Majima. He reminds me of senator armstrong: good at fighting, smart, and run by logic that is almost correct. He was just so badass. Slight spoilers, but the way the ending is set up would totally allow for a season 2. And if a 2nd season comes out, I would love to see Majima and our two main characters team up. Maybe also get to learn more about the Lilybells and that one blonde kid. Overall, this show was amazing, and I think this has become one of my favorite animes.
Was a pretty good show! I had a good time watching and for a show like this that's all that matters! No need to keyboard warrior the exact analytics of storytelling and explain to everyone how that one time in that one episode the direction wasn't masterfully written to dissuade the viewers only to reveal a bombastic ending! No, it was just fine and that's what it needed to be! Fun characters, fun little story, and a satisfying anime experience! Definitely my second favorite of the season, but it's not easy to top Made In Abyss S2!
Story itself wasn't anything special in my opinion but damn did the good action scenes and especially Chisato's cheerful and endearing personality carry this show.