Plot: The plot to me can easily be compared to click-bait or a disappointing Amazon purchase. If you were given a general synopsis of the plot, it would come off as an intriguing survival anime. However, the plot doesn’t follow the logical constructions it made for itself. SO A BUNCH OF KIDS FROM JUST ONE CLASS ARE DYING OUT AND NO POLICE FORCE NOTICES OR CARES? PARENTS AREN’T WONDERING WHY THEIR KIDS AND KID’S FRIENDS ARE DYING GREUSOMLY? I stamp BS on that. The next issue was that it tried to fit in 2 King's Games in 12 episodes. There was no balance in between flashback and present-day so for a while, you’re asking "Where are we now?" "Why was this brought up again?" Also, because they tried to fit in two stories in that short airing time, it left a lot of plot holes that some try to answer with “It’s fiction; it doesn’t need logic.” or “Wait till you find out who the King is…” And when the “King” was finally revealed, a bunch of plot holes and impossibilities followed. A lot of the drama was coerced and either should've never happened at all, or easily could’ve been avoided if a little logic was added into the mix.
Art: The art is decent; if it wasn't, I wouldn't watch it (sorry, I'm picky that way). But, nothing's too special about it and I feel like the gory design does more harm to the show than good. The art is one of the main things that form the show's dark tone, and it comes off as a try-hard attempt for an edgy tone.
Sound: Sound doesn't stand out, and I don't exactly hate those kinds of soundtracks. I'd rather it be unnoticeable (hence BACKGROUND music) then it being distinctly terrible (If it's distinctly good, then kudos!!). The main issue I had; the opening. I don't hate the song, and Coldrain’s cool...when used appropriately. Here, it just strengthened the try-hard attempt to get a certain tone.
Characters: It goes without saying that a 12-episode anime filled with 2 classrooms worth of teenagers was going to have s****y characters. A majority of the cast acts as fodder; the anime literally waits until they’re about to die to give them a backstory or personality and expect us to care about someone we just met 5 minutes ago. Sadly, I like the fodder better. You have your average bland-looking main protagonist that all the main girls will still fall for simply cuz “he’s kind”. In this show, the men do most of the investigating and are usually the ones who’re given king orders (usually sexual or violent orders). Other relevant men include the average high schoolers who pointlessly turn homicidal to increase the action. Most of the women were blubbering victims who look to the men (and sometimes other girls) to protect them. The ones who tried (and failed) to progress the plot were also inspired by male crushes or past sexual trauma. The most memorable girl, Natsuko, was branded a villain, she was hypocritical and was never all that menacing, she just flung used condoms and acted like your average high school b****.
