Art/Characters: The art style that we see in New Game! is pretty generic when it comes to the basic details. However, the smaller details that the show takes advantage of are what really make this show stand out visually. I am referring to the shimmer in their eyes, the emotion when some characters feel apathy. The hair on each person’s head has a sheen to it that makes it look soft and bouncy. The folds in their clothing really make it feel like the illustrator had great care and wanted to make sure that the clothing would bend and crease as if it were real clothing. The main character, Aoba, really stands out to me for her passion and excitement going into this new job that she only knows a little bit about. She is surrounded by equally energetic and somewhat timid co-workers. While Yun and Hajime are the stereotypical “excited-about-everything” characters, Hifumi takes a while to really get to know Aoba, as she is only really comfortable talking through Instant Messaging. As for Yagami, Her stern yet soft personality on Aoba really showcases her best traits and makes her fit very well with the cast of characters. The relationship between the two of them really makes the finale special.
Music/Sound: Being able to hear and listen to the music and sounds in this show really was a treat. The opening and closing songs really were a highlight that I enjoyed listening to week to week because it was so catchy and the animation of the opening was so cute and so enjoyable, I really struggle to say anything bad though, the sound direction of the episodes seemed to lack a little bit. I felt that there could have been more interesting sounds from within, and I really would have loved to hear more of the in-game music of the game that they are creating. However the background music often would fit the mood quite well and because of this I was getting more invested that I think I was planning on.
Story: Aoba has just graduated high school and got a job as a member of the art team for the game company EagleJump. As she prepares for her first day, she reminisces on her favorite game, Faerie Story which has also been created by EagleJump. When she finally arrives, her boss, Yagami, is the Yagami, as in the person who helped create her favorite game of all time and now she was going to work directly with her! The story follows Aoba as she explores what it is like to have a real job and what it is like to be an adult. From working with co-workers, to falling behind schedule, to even getting her first paycheck. Aoba sure has a lot to learn!
Personal Reflection: The concept of this show really made me excited. If I had even a shred of talent for game design, I would want to have an opportunity like Aoba. Because of this, I was immediately drawn to this show with eager anticipation of what was going to happen next. I feel the way Aoba learns and experiences things with her co-workers and friends really make the shows something special. There isn’t just the run-of-the-mill episodes happening, but they are unique and move the story along in a fantastic way. Thinking back on it now, it is amazing that such a deep and rich anime came from a 4-panel manga. Learning what it’s like to be an adult is not easy. I have lived in the realm of confusion, and to be honest, I still am. But like Aoba, I have people that are able to come alongside me and help me out with whatever I need. I think the reason I loved this show so much is it came at a time in my life that I could really relate to it, and because of that, it was something I would watch each week to take myself out of the confusion that is life. Lastly, I really loved the overarching story that happened through the entire show. There could have easily been just randomized episodes that could have taken place at any time, but instead New Game! embraced having only 12 episodes, and created a full story that was the perfect amount of fun, drama, excitement, and anxiety that I’ll probably watch it again before too long. New Game! is a show that deals strongly with the theme of growing up, but is relatable enough to be embraced by people of all ages. So if you love video games, and have ever wanted to be a designer, check out New Game!
Overall Rating: 8/10
