It's true that many things end of being fairly standard as far as fights and relationships go but by the last episode it's very clear that the betrayals and deaths that have piled up have formed a world that is unlike any in any fiction ever made. No joke.
The story is admittedly quite slow but after the first 4 episodes there's enough madness to keep you interested and as the show creeps to its conclusion it's easy to doubt that there will be much of a spectacular ending to the show, after all most anime don't venture very far from conventional story telling. However, death is very much a big part of the show, don't let the personalities of the characters fool you. If they seem too carefree it's due to their mafioso outlook towards the world.
The combat covers every conceivable outcome, from thrilling second to second brawls to 10 second borefests. But you might wonder why I score this show so high and that's due to its UNPREDICTABILITY. The best fights aren't always between the predictable characters and some built up fight end up very standard mainly due to how animal fighting styles differ or are so similar between the combatants.
Admittedly, it's pretty safe to assume that the smaller the animal is that the fighter's animal is based on, the more dangerous the fighter, but again UNPREDICTABLE. Even if it feels standard at first, just enjoy the cheesiness and wonder about every possible way the show could go, because you will almost certainly be wrong.
The characters aren't deep but it's obvious that this show is starting from the ground and building the characters up. The ost is just all around enjoyable with its guitar riffs and very much above average OP and ED. Art wise I never so anything bad, sure it could be better but as far as an adaptation goes, it was no more and no less than 100% accurate.
I pray for a second season to unfurl some time in the future, but honestly the ending of this makes me wonder whether a sequel could surpass the hype that this first season was able to create.
