No Game No Life succeeds in animation and escapism. Additionally, the staggering amount of fan service, references to other successful anime, and overused jokes try to make up for the lack of a good plot.
CHARACTERS: they can belong to any other mediocre anime
The two super smart main characters can defeat everyone with their intelligence. This is probably the most universal escapist daydream. Their super brain power reveals itself in games. Other characters are there to get impressed by our heroes or defeated by them. They are usually girls, and they have over-sexualized bodies or cat ears, or both. What they lack in character depth is compensated by fan service. Nevertheless, the anime fails to conceal the lack of any meaningful character development.
STORY: let me sing you the song of my daydreams
No Game adds intelligent shut-ins to a completely new world but fails to develop any kind of interesting plot. The idea of traveling to an alternative universe is not new, but not bad either. The problem lies in execution. No Game is about being smart and defeating everyone. It is being awesome for the sake of awesomeness. The viewer is intended to get impressed and identify with our heroes. Their overpowered brains can overcome any obstacle, which means that there is no serious conflict in the story. From the very beginning you know that the main characters have indestructible plot armor.
ANIMATION: take this eye candy and stop asking for good characters and story
I have nothing but praise for the animation and sound. It succeeds at creating its own atmosphere. Music is also good and catchy.
OVERALL: escapism and fantasies can save the anime industry
No Game No Life is a great success story of an average anime. Although it uses pretty cheap tricks, it can grab the attention of many anime fans.
