Steins;Gate is not as good as MAL says it is [Spoilers]

Jul 3, 2024 3:01 AM

#101

ST63LTH

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Nov 2019

5024

I think the series relied heavy on the time travel element; Beyond that it was a series

Interest stacks

Jul 3, 2024 5:50 AM

#102

Spencerio

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Jan 2022

15

I agree that it’s an 8/10 at least personally, but I do believe as well that it’s not unfair to consider it a masterpiece. It’s an excellent entry point to time travel sci-fi. I kinda prefer Donnie Darko/Looper/12 Monkeys/Hyperion and think those and possibly a few others I can’t remember off the top of my head are better within the genre, but in anime terms, I think only Millennium Actress could really be considered better, and that’s not even truly time travel

Jul 3, 2024 6:25 AM

#103

PR4NJ4L

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Mar 2024

10

don't drunk and watch anime

Jul 3, 2024 10:05 AM

#104

rasen_ni_shrimp

Offline

Oct 2022

11

I think Steins;Gate is a really really good show, but yeah I've never understood how it's consistently #2 or 3 on MAL

Jul 3, 2024 6:07 PM

#105

Adnash

Offline

Oct 2013

10344

Good points. I agree with most, if not all of them. While this anime is really fun and well-done, it has many flaws that make you wonder if it's rightfully acclaimed as one of the best anime ever made, when you can notice a similar list of pros and cons in many other shows from the time when Steins;Gate was released.

Many people are too lenient towards shows considered as "masterpieces". Peer pressure leads to hypocritical takes on anime, where one show is thrashed so hard for having a boring first half or for being a slow burn anime, but the other one (anime considered by many as "that classic show") is given a leeway or even gets praised for exactly the same elements.

In short, it is a solid show. Many people scored it high. But does it mean we should pretend to not see its cons? I don't think so.

AdnashJul 3, 2024 6:14 PM

✨Saint Seiya Club🌠

Jul 3, 2024 6:13 PM

#106

Adnash

Offline

Oct 2013

10344

Reply to SpritezUp

Congratulations you’re learning the whole point of a discussion, it’s OPINION vs OPINION. When it comes to discussing a damn show then yeah it prolly is pointless objectively, but it’s fun to argue your side against others and get a proper argument back. Thats my whole point with my original comment. Rather than coming back with a proper argument to the OP, they simply replied “not reading show’s 10/10” which is just a stupid brainless response.

@SpritezUp To be fair, roughly 99% (not to say all) Steins;Gate fans I've ever met acted like loud kids in the kindergarten. Toxic reactions, superiority complex coming from thinking that if a show has references to science then it's surely an elite form of entertainment in every aspect, and discussions beginning and ending with insults and generic responses of "you're too dumb to get it kid, it's peak 10/10 EL PSY CONGROO", lol. They reminded me of those uneducated folks who yell "I LOVE SCIENCE" without really knowing how the branch they are supposedly interested in works or even caring to learn something more about those basic fun facts they read on social media.

✨Saint Seiya Club🌠

Jul 3, 2024 11:38 PM

#107

elderonn

Offline

Feb 2021

949

While I do agree that the show isn’t worthy of a 10/10 rating and a top 10 spot on MAL, I do think that the show is great, at the very least.

It surely is better and more fairly rated than shows such as attack on braincells and wan piss, which are also highly praised but are much more flawed.

Jul 4, 2024 1:08 AM

#108

baukiokun

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Feb 2024

5

One of the poorest animation, but the plot
compensates for it

Jul 4, 2024 6:42 AM

#109

SpikeTheBear

Offline

Jul 2019

8

As someone who rated it a 10/10 and probably wouldnt on a second watch i agree with pretty much all the criticisms. I went to play the vn and how creepy okabe is at times really throws me off. The one thing i disagree with is i kinda like makise. Idk something about her actually trusting okabe when noone else would really stuck with me. I definetly filtered out a lot of bullshit that was present that i barely remember thinking back on the good parts.

Jul 4, 2024 12:25 PM

#110

K-Arlovski

Offline

Dec 2021

239

I mean yeah i kinda agree. After all it's not rated 10, is it? Fundamentally interesting show with a great story and decent characters.
Personally i find the lack of development for most characters expected as Okabe is by far the most relevant character with the most screen time. The show is focused on him and we follow everything more or else through his lense and psyche.

Flaws exist and some episodes could have been done better but in my opinion it's good enough for a solid 8. I myself gave it a 9 iirc probably due to personal preference in genre. Though to note i was younger and way less critical when i first watched it so who knows.

Jul 4, 2024 1:55 PM

#111

jojokzy

Offline

Mar 2016

14

Steins Gate is a masterpiece. End of story. Wild ride.

Jul 4, 2024 1:56 PM

#112

tetso_was_taken

Offline

Feb 2023

2

Fighting_Spirit said:
This is a very touchy subject on here, so I'm going to do it nice and carefully and break it into sections.

Plot

The plot is the definite best part of the show. It starts really strong. Makise Kurisu is dead, and Okabe has a time machine. After that it becomes a slice of life / almost harem with time traveling text messages mixed in. It becomes a show where Okabe takes requests from several attractive females, it's pretty much a harem at that point. It's very relevant to the story however, as this is a necessary part of the story, and is the cause of the problem in the first place. Episode 12 is where things kick off. We see the payoff of sitting through 10 filler but not really filler episodes. This episode sets the tone for the rest of the series. It becomes a faux-groundhog day scenario. Mayuri dies, he always loses. This isn't the interesting part. We know Mayuri is going to die every time. The interesting part here is Okabe. We slowly see his mind degrade and have an impact on the things he does. An interesting thing that they cut from the anime was that in the VN he considers raping Suzuha because he would just time loop back anyway. The plot gets consistently better until he finally realizes how to keep Mayuri alive. Here's where the show crashes and burns. It actually becomes a harem. Some of the characters get their own lovey-dovey side episode with Okabe. Why? It's necessary for the anime, but they could have not made them all in love with Okabe. On to the final arc, this is the climax. We see everything the show has led up to. We find out who Suzuha is, and why she's there. Okabe realizes that nothing of this will ever happen and decides to go along with it anyway. Okabe shows his undying devotion to a girl he barely knows and decides to almost die because of her. He wins in the end.

Characters

The weak point of the show.

Okabe - Okabe is a good character. He really develops throughout the series. I explained a bit in the plot section so I won't go too deep into it.

Kurisu - A very flat character. She has 4 traits : Tsundere, daddy issues, likes science, and is from America. She doesn't develop throughout the series, and ultimately only warms up to Okabe, and that's it.

Mayuri - What character? She's Okabe's childhood friend and a plot device

Feyris and Ruka - These can be grouped together. They are both there to fill space and make things harder for Okabe. That's their only reason to exist.

Moeka - Serves an actual purpose. Goes to show Okabe that not everyone is nice and people will take advantage of you and what you can provide for their own purposes. She's the second best character in the show.

Suzuha - Another good character. She's a rebel from the future, and comes back to save her world. She's there to assist Okabe in his mission, and isn't explored much as a character.

Final thoughts

The show is good. It's really good. However, it shouldn't be regarded as a masterpiece, and really only get's an 8/10 from me. It has a great story at times, but it's inconsistent, has flat characters, and is very very clearly based off of a VN and has harem elements.

great post! this summarizes my issues with the series perfectly

Jul 4, 2024 4:35 PM

#113

Armio

Offline

Apr 2014

65

if even the most critical of viewers like you give it a high score of 8/10 I think it's current rating is very fair.

Jul 4, 2024 10:43 PM

#114

AwesomeAli2832

Offline

May 2022

474

pretty sure the slice of life aspect is important in the story as they try to solve the mystery of time looping to different world lines and trying to understand the divergence meter and the differences in each world line. If I recall correctly there is no harem, Okabe is more attracted to Kurisu and they often bicker and throw jabs at each other only for each other to warm up and become close until it hits a fever pitch. Also, Mayuri is not useless, they are a central plot important in the 2nd half of the series, how the hell do you mess that up?? This is a whole load of nonsense, the show absolutely excels with its characters along with the story. It’s a great time travel thriller.

Jul 5, 2024 10:33 PM

#115

TruINTP

Offline

Jan 2020

42

Yep you’re 100% correct. Soft-harem anime for sure. Anyone who says otherwise is in denial. It’s still a solid anime, but it could’ve been a lot better if they had really explored the science fiction part of the story.

Jul 6, 2024 8:49 AM

#116

greenfruit

Offline

Nov 2022

14

Didn't read it but I'm sorry/happy for you. And, yes, it does deserve its place.

Jul 7, 2024 8:08 AM

#117

DayRivia

Offline

Aug 2022

533

You must be heartless. SG is at least 9.9 / 10

Jul 7, 2024 8:12 AM

#118

DayRivia

Offline

Aug 2022

533

literallyeurope said:
steins gate and re zero aren't as good as Mal says they are, they're better

This guy knows greatness. Both top 5 animes.

Jul 8, 2024 9:36 AM

#119

ik3da

Offline

May 2024

1

I take issue with the title. MAL doesn't say anything. It's the viewers that made a determination. So, you'd be the odd one out here. S;G is 10/10, and that's coming from someone who prefers the VN to the adaptation.

Also this is not harem.

Jul 10, 2024 11:43 PM

#120

Gwennyn

Offline

Mar 2022

296

based on his list, when he does bother to rate anything he rates it incredibly low. when he says 8/10 it means 13/10.

also really?? eminence in shadow an 8? the amount of shows you rated below that is actually cardinal sin

Jul 11, 2024 10:43 AM

#121

ARY1436749

Offline

Dec 2021

3

Bullshit . If u talk about time travel and all other paradoxes and theories related to it I think stiens gate takes the prize the biggest reason I love it is because of the chuunibyo element that they have integrated into the protagonist which gives u unshakable faith in him .
Arisu was the best thing that could happen to the story and akabe himself

Jul 12, 2024 5:33 AM

#122

Merra_

Offline

Sep 2023

128

It seems you're referring more to the visual novel than the anime...so this should have been posted in its forum. Besides if you've read the original story it's easier for you to get the point of certain characters or whatever. So yeah, that's my excuse for why you believe Steins Gate is great and I don't. The anime is terribly underwhelming.

And since we're reviewing here I'll just talk about why I think so. I mean there's the first 11 or so episodes that just exist as a test of patience. My only option while watching them was to do it alongside an activity, such as washing dishes, and yet there were times I felt sleepy while doing so! Then there's the plot and the absolute foolishness of the characters. So he knows it's problematic to let others use the time machine but he just...lets them anyways. All the characters just seem to exist for existing sake. All the explanations were surface-level...I mean up till now, I can't understand just what Moeka and CERN's purpose was, or why Mayuri had to die, which was meant to be the pivotal plot of the series. They just seem to...exist. Everybody else is just for comedic value.

The only reason I gave Steins Gate whatever score I gave it, which is somewhere above a 6 is because I ignored all logic while watching it. So Mayuri is going to die, okay. You've come back from the future to stop it, okay. It never works, okay. Yet every time you tell everybody else to go just like that while you futilely search for Mayuri. Well wow such an MC. I mean we're supposed to feel for Okabe but it just seemed so ridiculous how he never decided he might need someone's help with this... everything was just so convenient.

Then there's the silly Terminator like mini-plot of World War 3 taking place because of Red-hair's paper. And that's only because of the mini plot of her disagreeing with her father. Said mini plot deserved some resolution, didn't it? Ruka's transgender feelings deserved some resolution too. I couldn't get the point of those or basically anything in the series. Maybe the underlying message was one's feelings towards turning back time? Which is so sparsely related throughout the series that i didn't think of it until now. I mean he goes back to save Mayuri all the time, but I was too busy trying to figure out why he was so dumb and kept doing the same thing over and over, as well as why exactly he needed to save Mayuri in the first place that I didn't realize that maybe the Steins were the Gates we made along the way.

Anyways yh you read the vn, I haven't. Steins Gate anime is horrible and is more or less a 6.5. Maybe I should go in for a rewatch or smth. Of course you don't have to take me seriously... I'm aware most people here probably have more experience with anime than I.

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Robert A. Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land)

Jul 14, 2024 2:55 PM

#123

uzay99

Offline

May 2022

34

stop the cap lil homie

Jul 24, 2024 12:25 AM

#124

greasy_rhys

Offline

Mar 2019

28

Fighting_Spirit said:
This is a very touchy subject on here, so I'm going to do it nice and carefully and break it into sections.

Plot

The plot is the definite best part of the show. It starts really strong. Makise Kurisu is dead, and Okabe has a time machine. After that it becomes a slice of life / almost harem with time traveling text messages mixed in. It becomes a show where Okabe takes requests from several attractive females, it's pretty much a harem at that point. It's very relevant to the story however, as this is a necessary part of the story, and is the cause of the problem in the first place. Episode 12 is where things kick off. We see the payoff of sitting through 10 filler but not really filler episodes. This episode sets the tone for the rest of the series. It becomes a faux-groundhog day scenario. Mayuri dies, he always loses. This isn't the interesting part. We know Mayuri is going to die every time. The interesting part here is Okabe. We slowly see his mind degrade and have an impact on the things he does. An interesting thing that they cut from the anime was that in the VN he considers raping Suzuha because he would just time loop back anyway. The plot gets consistently better until he finally realizes how to keep Mayuri alive. Here's where the show crashes and burns. It actually becomes a harem. Some of the characters get their own lovey-dovey side episode with Okabe. Why? It's necessary for the anime, but they could have not made them all in love with Okabe. On to the final arc, this is the climax. We see everything the show has led up to. We find out who Suzuha is, and why she's there. Okabe realizes that nothing of this will ever happen and decides to go along with it anyway. Okabe shows his undying devotion to a girl he barely knows and decides to almost die because of her. He wins in the end.

Characters

The weak point of the show.

Okabe - Okabe is a good character. He really develops throughout the series. I explained a bit in the plot section so I won't go too deep into it.

Kurisu - A very flat character. She has 4 traits : Tsundere, daddy issues, likes science, and is from America. She doesn't develop throughout the series, and ultimately only warms up to Okabe, and that's it.

Mayuri - What character? She's Okabe's childhood friend and a plot device

Feyris and Ruka - These can be grouped together. They are both there to fill space and make things harder for Okabe. That's their only reason to exist.

Moeka - Serves an actual purpose. Goes to show Okabe that not everyone is nice and people will take advantage of you and what you can provide for their own purposes. She's the second best character in the show.

Suzuha - Another good character. She's a rebel from the future, and comes back to save her world. She's there to assist Okabe in his mission, and isn't explored much as a character.

Final thoughts

The show is good. It's really good. However, it shouldn't be regarded as a masterpiece, and really only get's an 8/10 from me. It has a great story at times, but it's inconsistent, has flat characters, and is very very clearly based off of a VN and has harem elements.

actually just get a life.

Aug 4, 2024 9:53 PM

#125

NomadGhost

Offline

Feb 2018

1

Okabe takes quite a long time to change the past, and he spends a lot of that time with Kurisu. It could've taken him literal years in his mind. The visual novel hints that it did. If that is the case, then he would've known Kurisu for years. I would call that a far cry from "girl he barely knows".

Aug 6, 2024 5:12 AM

#126

Profat

Offline

Dec 2023

37

You know what they say about opinions, everyone has one. I, too, have some shows that I rate lower than the majority of the people. Guess what? That's ok. It's impossible for anything to have unanimous appeal. If nothing else, you should be worried if the most popular list completely aligned with your own ratings.

Aug 8, 2024 2:48 PM

#127

Eliachilles

Offline

Apr 2021

2

I had to watch it in 1.5 speed and still suffered it was terrible there's way too many amazing anime to waste time on this

Aug 14, 2024 1:06 PM

#128

dixoncider8142

Offline

Aug 2020

1094

Eh I agree to a certain extent that the characters aren't the best in anime, some characters I did find annoying and kind of forgettable. Also, yes, the first 11 episodes aren't too entertaining to watch but the first 11 episodes is literally the buildup to what happens in the second half. This is the only anime that I've seen so far where the time traveling aspect makes sense and has a lot of depth to it, I'm pretty sure that's one of the reasons why people like the show too much, not trying to sound like a nerd or anything, just pointing out the obvious.

Aug 14, 2024 1:09 PM

#129

dixoncider8142

Offline

Aug 2020

1094

Reply to Vendfarm

I think Steins;Gate is excellent. I wake up everyday and say, “Steins;Gate is so good” this must be the choice of Steins;Gate. El Psy Kongrooooooooooooooooooo.

@Vendfarm I am mad scientist it's so cool!!!! sonofvabich

Aug 17, 2024 11:54 AM

#130

leev

Offline

Jul 2019

570

Now that you mention it, you're right about some of them being flat based on your description. Absolutely wasn't bothered by it though.

leevAug 17, 2024 11:57 AM

Dec 14, 9:15 AM

#131

Boiledcabbage

Offline

Nov 2019

2

the characters cannot develop if a dude in a lab coat keeps resetting the time, the cast basically spend 25-30 days with each other(except okabe's mind) and the development is appropriate for ppl spending that amount of time with each other. it is expected

BoiledcabbageDec 14, 9:38 AM

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Steins;Gate is not as good as MAL says it is [Spoilers]

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