Animation: B: The Beginning is an original anime produced by the master of CGI vehicles itself, Production I.G. (Ghost in the Shell, Psycho pass, etc.). Their animation style is always top notch and it makes no exception here as the animation is crisp and the action sequences smooth. Full marks for the animation (although the CGI was obvious at some times more than others, but nothing too distracting). The character designs are the same as from Terror in Resonance and samurai champloo, drawn by Nakazawa, Kazuto. In fact, I thought it was a sequel to Terror in Resonance when I saw the trailer since there are characters who are nearly identical to one another. I really like his realistic art style. It especially fits well with this type of show.
Sound: I did not see the original dub but I heard it wasn't good, but since I usually watch english dubbed either way, I can testify that it was very well done. Not a single cringe-worthy performance. The music was subtle for the most part and fit in nicely with the show. Nothing stood out that much. The ending on the other hand (although some call it the opening) was fantastic. I have a soft spot for english songs and I really liked the song and thought that it fit well with the show. Good job Marty Friedman.
Story: This is the biggest weakness of the show. Just copy and paste Terror in Resonance but switch 9 and 12 with 4 and 13, and instead of highly intelligent teenagers, make them genetically enhanced humans. Pretty much Nakazawa, Kazuto took his experience from just animating Terror in Resonance and decided to direct a show with the same premise and plot, which isn't a bad thing in itself, but he wasn't the only director. In comes Yamakawa, Yoshiki who hasn't directed anything amazing, but all of his shows have supernatural fighting elements involved, which clashes with the more set in reality touch of Nakazawa, Kazuto. It seems like they both made their own show and then decided to put them together. It really doesn't fit and it really ruins the overall quality of the show. On one hand you have a mystery thriller and on the other you have "science enhanced" humans who are pretty much a rip off of the ghouls from Tokyo Ghoul riding down vertical buildings on a skateboard. It looked cool but distracted from the more interesting aspect of the show. It sucked even more in the end that there was no reason for the "ghouls" to exist in the first place other than to make the real villain seem more twisted. Additionally, the whole backstory on how the entire "ghoul" project came to be is unrealistically stupid.
Characters: I liked all of the characters, especially on the investigation team, however all of the "ghouls" were massively underdeveloped and while they looked cool, they were all just there for an episode or two and then gone. Even after the twist of the final "ghoul", there was another twist that rendered it completely pointless. The main "ghoul" Koku lacked sorely needed screen time and his entire purpose in the show seemed tacked on. The detective was great and the real villain, while obvious, was still a competent villain.
Enjoyment: I enjoyed the series despite its faults, but this series had so much potential that was just wasted. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it stuck to the investigation teams plot.
Overall: I liked the show, but I can't ignore the storytelling problems. It had potential but there are many unresolved plot points and plot holes. There is a second season coming allegedly, so that might clear a few things up, but I am not holding my breath. It definitely isn't a failure, but it makes me less excited to see A.I.C.O.:Incarnation which is the next of the netflix ONAs.
If you liked Terror in Resonance and Tokyo Ghoul, then give this anime a shot.
I was sure that I would give it a ten when I saw the first episode...but it wasn't to be.
Score: 8=Good and had a lot of great elements, but I wouldn't rewatch it.
