Goblin Slayer (GS from now on) has been the show that I've changed opinion on most this season. After watching episode 9 last night, I came to realize that it's my favorite this season. Here's why:
Story: 8/10. The story is interesting. There's a massive war going on with a Big Bad somewhere in the world, but we aren't a part of it. GS is like being a side quest. Occasionally you hear about progress being made in the war through conversations, but GS isn't about that. I think it's an interesting approach to world-building not seen anywhere else I know of. The characters' motivations are clear. For Goblin Slayer, it's to kill goblins. For the others, it's to have adventures and kick ass. Simple, which is nice. Some small parts of the story become quite confusing and complex but in general it's a simple story.
Art: 7/10. This may be contentious. Let me explain. GS himself is always CGI if he's in armor. I think it was a good choice. He doesn't pop in and out of CGI which can be quite disruptive. The other characters are designed well, it's very easy to distinguish them from each other. They have some cool complexity to their designs. Expect lots of fan service though. Some people say the animation isn't great but frankly I haven't noticed any explicit parts where it's just bad. And it's good when it matters most.
Sound: 9/10. It's good. The OP is awesome, definitely my favorite in recent history. VAs seem good from what I can tell in the sub.
Characters: 10/10. The show makes an excellent choice here. It keeps the main cast to five characters who are always present. Rather than having different ones filter in and out, it can focus on these five. They each have distinct personalities that interact and clash with each other's. It's good for both comedy and drama. There are minor characters who recur, but the main 5 are the ones you'll be focusing on.
Enjoyment: 10/10. Like I said, this show surprised me. I thought it would be all shock and awe with no depth, and would eventually get boring. While there was a bit of a mid-season drag that slowed the pacing, it was ultimately for the best by making the next arc that much more exciting. The world and the characters have a decent amount of depth for how simple their motivations are and the fact that they're basically a side-narrative, but these are both plusses in my eyes.
Overall: 9/10. If the story picks up a bit, I think this show could be a masterpiece. As it stands, it's already outstanding and definitely deserves your attention for at least 6 episodes. I suggest giving it a shot.
