The story of No game No life is one of immensely thought out plans, dozens of steps ahead of time which can makes its viewers envious of how well their plans and tactics are thought out. It puts an interesting play on fictional worlds where nothing can be taken, but must be earned through fair play as the god that overlooks the world of play is in fact the god of games himself. I plays out in many suspenseful games that keep you interested not matter how simple the game is, because of the wagers they play, at stake.
Art style is beyond exuberant with its many bright colors and light tones. For those that don't watch much "bright happy" style anime, this art style can be some what off putting at first. However NGNL is anything but a "happy" anime despite what looks make it seem. Animation is kept to a minimum when there is large crowds of people on screen but when emphasizing action scenes they hold nothing back with the sheer about of objects moving on screen at any one time. With shades and tones they use lighting almost too much as the whole anime is bright enough as is without them throwing in gleaming sun beams to cover half a person body. In counter of this though, they use tones and gradients on objects and people in lieu with these lighting effects, immensely well to the point where there's a slightly different sun angle for every sinister expression anyone uses.
Music is off and on to the point where it's only played at major points in the show and most of these are action scenes or explanations. In the action scenes the viewer is most times too enticed on what's happening on screen to notice the music and in explanations they almost remove the scene from the rest of the anime feel as it's always an odd sounding piece that plays. You can most times tell when a large action scene is about to play as tense music moat than often will play in a calming atmosphere where occasionally, is not needed and thus, gives it away to the keen listener. Despite this, the music in major plot points and action scenes give them that gripping feel that keeps the viewer enticed to watch more.
The character play in NGNL is quite par as back stories on the main characters are revealed little chips at a time as the anime plays out but very little to do with their closest companions are revealed is anything at all. If things are revealed, you can bet that they have a major role to play later on in the story. As for character progressions, the main and closest supporting characters don't go through much major development in the 12 episodes this gives you, flagging hopes for a second season. However there are a few that go through quite a bit of it whether it be personal development with their past or making new allies out of old foes.
Overall enjoyment was fairly high as it had plenty of humor and never really sold itself short on it. Even in its times of fan service or action scenes, it always manages to make an amusing situation out of things that are far from new to anime. Even as the games get more ridiculous and fan service filled, NGNL somehow manages to get its viewers to laugh whether it be from its purposeful jokes or at just how ridiculous it makes itself at times. In times of humor, this anime does not take itself seriously at all. Where as anything else is thought out in immense depth.
