1. We got a lot of info dumps that should’ve been better integrated into actions instead of having narrator explain everything - I feel that part got better later.
2. Way too much action. For the most part this anime felt like Monster of the Week kids show.
Despite those major flaws, I consider it a pretty fun anime, mostly thanks to characters. They are very one-dimensional and simple, but I enjoyed seeing their actions and interactions, even if they were a bit cheesy at times. Their personalities made them very easy to get attached to. And while majority of villains were boring, maniacally cackling nobodies, there still were some nice surprises among them.
Cute characters design, colourful art and casual use of blood splatters helped a lot with comedy and gave Hataraku Saibou a light and relaxed feeling. I really appreciate that even in serious moments this series newer got too dark or edgy, keeping the overall nice atmosphere.
I’d also like to praise music in this anime - and to be exact, good usage of background music to add to some scenes. Many series fail at it, or don’t even attempt, which automatically puts Hataraku Saibou at “above average” level.
One more thing I need to mention is educational value: there is pretty much none. Please stop. The only thing I learned from this anime are english and japanese names of things I knew from middle school biology. I’m all for learning while having fun, but people try to sell it as something very educative, which is an overstatement.
In the end, I’m a bit disappointed, but I don’t regret watching it. It was a fun anime despite its flaws and I’m sure everybody will be happy with a change of pace Hataraku Saibou offers among all the usual settings.
I just wish we got more platelets.
