What do I like?
First of all, the story. This is not the first anime related to gaming that I have heard of, but what makes it stand out is the very realistic approach it takes to it. You get all the fantasy and adventure that the game has to offer, but you also get the real-life drama and obstacles that a pro-gamer has to go through. I think this very human approach to it is what makes it so good and also relatable. And although there is real conflict and intensity within the story, they manage to lighten the mood enough with the occasional comic relief.
Second, probably the characters. The main character is perfectly likeable and down-to-earth, although he always keeps an aura of mystery about himself, as he did during his 10 years as a pro-gamer. Thus it is difficult to spot his true motivation or his overall game-plan, and I say this after watching more that half of the episodes. There are a lot of side characters, a lot, I feel that none has been intensely developed up to now, although many have something to do with his past as a pro-gamer. So whenever a new one pops up, you feel the plot thicken. I do worry about how they will all tie in by the end and how much actual human development or human relations we will get to see. Even so, it all still feels very interesting.
Last thing I like, the music. Both opening and closing themes seem really good and I enjoy listening to them every time. About the sound, obviously this anime is in Chinese and that might be something quite new for most fans of Japanse anime, it certainly is to me. But with adequate subbing it can be decently followed. I really like the main character's voice, but am not crazy about some of the female voices.
Now, about the art and animation. Well, you will read that it's good. And it is, by what I call "modern standards". I personally really appreciate all scenes related to the game, Glory, those really are impressive. But I have a couple of bones to pick with 1. the character design, too many characters have similar faces lately and it sometimes gets confusing, 2. when showing scenes from the net-café ("real life"), I always have this sensation that some do not look quite right, that they are too similar to what you would see in some computer games, like gunner perspective or simply the animation all of a sudden looks really different. I tend to believe they do this on purpose, maybe because they want to define their own style of animation or maybe because such tricks tie in well with the subject matter, but I don't like it nontheless.
Anyhow, I really enjoy Quan Zhi Gao Shou, I think it's fresh and fun and has a lot to offer and I hope to like it even more by the end. I would also like to mention here that I don't think one has to have much knowledge or interest in actual gaming to enjoy this, maybe just a little curiosity, and that it does show-cast how amazing an experience gaming can be for people who are really into it, an experience which to me seems similar on some level to watching anime.
