The art style is very different which makes it interesting. At first it feels crude and like a simple cartoon but once it starts using mixed media and its varities of seemingly random color, it feels refreshing as its totally different from most all anime. I could see a lot of people calling it pretentious, but that's typically an honor, to be so innovative that traditional anime watchers think you're trying too hard. The music was very fitting. Pretentious shows must have pretentious music such as classical orchestral pieces but the OP and ED are just absolutely fantastic. The OP has a happy go lucky vibe to it, just as younger people should look towards their future, and the ED has a more cool, inquisitive feeling that makes you think of introspection and finding yourself.
The series is of many metaphors and takes a lot more thinking than your typical show. Shows that do this typically seem pretentious but in reality they're just trying to break the social norm of anime and prove anime not to be a genre of generic tropes and childish motifs. Tatami Galaxy's themes and setting are very adult so this show shouldn't make sense for a younger audience and should be enjoyed by older/intellectual people. Not saying younger people shouldn't try watching this show, it just probably won't suit them as it's very introspective and symbollic. There's no tsunderes, no fanservice, nothing from the bible of anime tropes that most anime have to follow to have success which makes it very refreshing and unique. Of course it's not the first show to do this and have the themes of hardships and finding your place in the world, but it still manages to feel very unique. I don't think any casual anime watcher should watch this show because you can't just turn off your brain and accept the plot. You have to really dig deep to obtain value from most episodes as it doesn't have comedy to push you through and it's not straightforward. I would highly suggest this show to people who search for depth of meaning in media.
