Some anime watchers have those days where they just want to get away from the real world and would happily jump into an anime without any second thoughts. Just as a “by the way,” Hyperdimension Neptunia is one of those anime where it seems that males do not exist. If there are, they certainly don’t want to show themselves. The show itself has no real over-arching plot, but that’s the point. Now let’s get onto the review. Keep note that due to the formatting this show does, I will be comparing some aspects to the games.
Story (5)- There is only so much you can do trying to put two games into a 12-episode show and when you make everybody friends right from the get-go the conflict between the nations are gone. Even though the first arc was important, I was turned-off by the “fan-service” that is wires acting as tentacles. The second arc isn’t that spectacular either. With my main problems out of the way, let’s get into what I liked about it. The fact that there is no real plot is the main point of the show. To really enjoy this show, you have to just not take it seriously at all. I also found it humorous that goddesses could be little girls as well as do absolutely nothing and get away with it.
Characters (5) - I’ll be frank… I LOVE ALMOST EVERY CHARACTER. None of them are dislikable with the exception of CFW Trick (whom I have nicknamed Lickilicky) and a few others. While the characters are cardboard-cutouts of clichéd personalities, I rather enjoyed them. The four goddesses each represent some trait in people whether they are lazy, hard-working, hot-headed, otaku, etc. The main reason I like them so much is because of the way they act and how each voice actor portrays them (even the English voices for the game is among some of the best I have heard for JRPGs). While the characters are mostly goofy, I found that I also enjoyed the serious sides of the characters towards the end of the series where the “real plot” kicks in.
Sound (7) – The opening and the ending is extremely cute and fits with the show very well. The rest of the soundtrack is entirely forgettable with the exception of one or two during the whole plot with Eden. Another factor of the sound I enjoyed was the voice actors. The voice actors in Neptunia are amazing! I especially enjoyed Rie Tanaka’s (Neptune/Purple Heart) and Kana Hanazawa’s (Plutia/Iris Heart) performances since they portrayed their characters so well. Everyone is great; there is nothing more I can say about it. Since the game was also voiced in English, I will also quickly say something on it: one of the best game dubs I’ve heard in a long time.
Animation (7) – Animation isn’t my forte, but I found the art style almost identical to Date A Live. If you enjoyed Date A Live’s art style, you will most likely enjoyed Hyperdimension Neptunia’s art style as well.
Enjoyment (6) - When an anime adapts a game in which the game is a parody of the video game industry, it loses a charm that the game has. If there is one thing that the anime makes fun of that the game cannot, it is the making fun of censorship that is not subtle (see episode 8). Since I watched this anime as it was being aired I found it is just great to sit down each week and watch something that was completely stupid and nonsensical. I recommend this to any fan of the game, but I would also tell them not to expect too much from it.
