„Scum's Wish“, more like „Friends With Benefits: The Anime“ is about people being each other's replacements for people they cannot have. Which is an interesting premise, that anime as a medium hasn't explored too often yet, I agree. Nonetheless it's also a premise that can be ruined spectacularly with so little effort, and I feel like it's already taking that route.
STORY (5/10):
- up until now, nothing but wasted potential. The majority of episode 1 seemed so very interesting, but I feel my expectations shattering more and more with every new episode :'D What expectations? Well I certainly didn't expect a freaking jizzfest, which by now, it totally is. You may think I'm just oversensitive here, when I'm in fact all for anime showing and exploring sexuality more (and better) than it has until now, really. But guys... When an anime that's partially ABOUT physical intimacy makes me cringe whenever there's physical intimacy...it's doing something terribly wrong. I came here to watch characters cope with all the struggles and emotions that may come with screwing around- NOT to actually watch the characters screw around all the time.
Maybe anime's just really bad with sex scenes in general. Still, this one would definitely be a lot better if it reduced its amount of sex ever so slightly and would use that extra time to...idk, maybe handle its core themes a little better instead. For example by exploring the characters' complex emotions a little more deeply/detailed, but whatever.
CHARACTERS (5/10):
They're scum, hence the title LOL- No I'm not even kidding, they're all kinda slutty and really unlikable most of the time (especially the main girl and the “antagonist“), - Which isn't automatically a bad thing, I even think it's one of the show's strengths.
When a character isn't just unlikable though, but also starts making fucking dumb or utterly selfish decisions...then I don't want to root for them anymore, I'm sorry. For god's sake, I can't even empathize with the redhead anymore, they managed to ruin the one gay character within just 1-2 episodes. Basically just shortly after I'd even figured out she's gay, so at least I didn't have enough time to hope for a proper character arc in the first place. Joke's on you!
Anyway, onwards to the other (attention-) whores: … Do I even care enough at this point? Dear Kuzu no Honkai, if you want to make me care, you have to show me something more than characters being hopelessly infatuated with one another like, 24/7. Don't they like, do or think about anything else? If so, then show me. If not, they're the most unrealistic and unlikable bunch of twats I've seen in anime :'D I guess we'll just have to wait and see. And hope for lots, LOTS of character-development.
ART (8/10):
I like it, very much so. I think it's pulling off that novel-y style with the written words and floating images really well. Then there's this lack of outlines, which may look a little weird at first, but I find it very pretty and refreshing :) So luckily, however dumb the story might still get, the art is and will always be beautiful.
SOUND (7/10):
It's funny how the opening's the one thing that made me come back after I had initially dropped the show. That's how insanely good it is...!!! I love that song, I love the visuals … so pretty. Why can't the show be more like its OP :') The background music and sound in general are alright as well. Oh, except the kissing sounds. They're horrible.
ENJOYMENT (4/10) ---> OVERALL (5,8/10):
I want to enjoy this show, I really do. Not least because its themes are so relatable and common (to a certain extent). But instead of teaching me stuff, I feel like Kuzu no Honkai is doing NOT A THING the way I'd EVER do it.
So no, I can't get anything from this show (yet), wake me up when I care. Though I can't bring myself to rate it too low either, it's not that bad... Let's just hope it gets more...insightful, meaningful, deeper, whatever. Just make it better! And let's hope the plot isn't actually that predictable as it seems (cos it seems awfully predictable).
