Steins;Gate is simply put, one of the-if not the- best pieces if fiction I have ever seen. Here's why.
Steins;Gate is from the outside, a seemingly simple tale of a group of friends who want to achieve time travel. Really, that's it for the first half of the show. In fact, I'll admit that I was only mildly interested throughout the first twelve or so episodes, until a sudden twist changed my opinion in one fell swoop.
What starts out as a relatively quirky, funny story slowly morphs into a resounding mix of science fiction and drama, with thrills and revelations in between. Going in depth,
Story: As I said, the first half of the show is quite slow paced. It serves to establish the world, the characters, their motivations and their interactions. It might seem trivial, but this helps the viewer better connect to the characters on screen, allowing us a sense of attachment. In this, our protagonist, Okabe Rintarou- pardon me, Houhin Kyouma- introduces us to the supporting characters in the show, and thus they go about working on the time machine. There's really nothing more I can add to the first half without spoiling the story, so we'll move on.
It is worth noting, that time travel is done exceedingly well here, and if you're familiar with the concept, you know how hard that can be. There are solid, well defined rules and restrictions, along with certain criteria that keep the concept interesting throughout. Couple that in with the thriller aspects of the story, and you've got a damn fine sci-fi on your hands.
Midway through the story, as I've mentioned, there occurs a sudden twist that changes everything for Okabe. I won't spoil it, but suffice to say, the event pushes him to his psychological limit, and the entire second half is him in a frantic battle against fate itself, all the while being questioned by the choices and sacrifices he has to make. All of this culminates in some of the most emotional final episodes I have ever seen, period, and I can guarantee you that the show will have you hooked well enough to tug at your heart.
Thus, Story: 10/10
Art and Animation: Hmm. This is perhaps one area where Steins;Gate may seem lacking, but to be perfectly honest, all the other factors were so good, I couldn't be bothered to find faults with it. It works well enough to tell the story it's supposed to, and certain moments are very nicely done.
Art: 9/10
Sound: Honestly, Sound is not such a big deal in the show. Average openings and endings, I suppose, and for the most part, all the effects and backgrounds are nicely done. It does excel in certain segments, so you can't exactly fault it.
Sound: 8/10
Characters: Ah yes, this is where Steins;Gate truly shines. You would be hard pressed to find a single character without well defined motivations and flaws in this show. Well, maybe Mayuri, but no one else.
Take Okabe, our lead. Initially, he's quirky, funny, has a penchant for the theatrical, and is a rather fun character to follow. He seems rather childish, with his hysterical laughs, fake codes, imaginary persona, and all. But, as the show progresses, you see another side of him, a side that's mature and thoughtful, pained and panicked, yet almost never giving up. He's not perfect, by any means. There are moments when he falters, when he's gripped by fear, when he makes rash decisions, or when he's just plain nonchalant(first half). And how does he make it through? Because he's supported by the best cast this side of sci-fi anime.
Makise Kurisu is clearly, the foil to Okabe. She's doubtful when he rushes in, collected when he's panicked, and they're mostly at each other's throats with one liners and jokes. But when things go awry, it's her that gives Okabe his strength and will to continue, helping him understand what he needs to do and the importance of said task. She's smart, well developed, and resourceful.
If it seems like those two are set up for a romance, that's because they are. Alongside Mayuri, a girl that Okabe has taken "hostage". I'll be honest, I don't really understand her characters, heck, she was borderline annoying for the most part. But even so, there were genuine moments when I could see she and Okabe cared for for one another, and when it comes to the conclusion of the love triangle, it really does feel like Okabe can go toward Makise or Mayuri.
Other characters include Hashida, Okabe's main tech guy, Faris, a popular girl that works at the same cafe Mayuri works at, Kiryu, a shy girl that's interested in an IBN 5100 computer that Okabe is also looking for, Urushibara, a boy who looks like a girl, and Amane, a girl searching for her father.
All of the above are extremely well developed, with motivations and agendas of their own, and believe me when I say, it's hard to dislike any one of them. Yes, even Mayuri.
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyment: It is a bit of a drag to sit through the first half, wondering when something's going to happen, but the emotional impact you feel in the second half and the resolution to Okabe's problems make it more than worth it.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Overall: A series that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, whether they be interested in science fiction, drama, romance, or even humor. And now, I'm recommending it to you; if you still haven't seen it, then by all of Mayuri's Upas, go watch it right now!
Overall: El-Psy-Congroo
