Let's begin with one of the tools this show loved to use,flashbacks.Flashbacks are a good way to introduce to the viewers character backstory and is an easy tool to utilize.It seems almost impossible to misuse these assets but Fairy Gone managed to achieve this incredible feat.How does Fairy Gone achieve this?Simple,just slap flashbacks whenever you want,even if the timing is absolutely terrible.One example of this would be when a flashback of Maryla being depicted as a "cursed child" appeared even though all that happened in the present is the train being attacked while Maryla is unconscious(Note:She was just chilling on the train before that).The flashbacks have absolutely no link to the present events and feels extremely random.This is why you would barely understand this anime,the presentation of information are mostly flashbacks that feel extremely random.
Moreover,the name dropping is just obnoxious.Even right now,I only remember a few names.This show has very lackluster characters that can't be remembered on top of the big cast,making it difficult for any viewer to remember who is who.
In particular,I have a big issue with Dorothea.This governmental organisation is supposed to be an organization which investigates and suppresses fairy-related crimes.But how can you expect this useless group which is inferior to the criminals to uphold justice.Dorothea has constantly failed in this series with Bitter Sweet tricking the group, losing to Liscar and so on.This is especially infuriating when Free who is part of the "main group" is an experienced veteran.Are we supposed to believe that Free is an experienced veteran when he got his ass kicked and stood no chance against Liscar who is also an experienced veteran?Come on,they should be around the same level,Free should at least put up a significant resistance.
You might be asking,"But Free put up a resistance against Liscar in the final episode,surely that is a plus to the story?"Absolutely no.It makes no sense that Free can suddenly stand a chance against Liscar when in between the two fights,Free has undergone zero training and preparation.This is another example of how this show does not know what it is doing.
Next,let's talk about characters.They are bad,really bad.Maryla wants to find Veronica,but since the story is geared towards the political tensions for the most part,this motivation of Maryla is vastly ignored and I even forgotten that she actually had a goal.On top of that,Maryla felt like she had no place in the story, as she does not have a stake in the overarching plot and this is supposed to be our main girl.Free also does not have much of an established motivation.Pretty much the whole squad is conscripted at this point and it makes us root for the villains because our protagonists are incompetent buffoons who does not have any motivation at all.This does not mean that the villains are good.The villains have solid motivations but were not explored fully by the show despite the show hinting to us that these are deep characters,maybe the second season can salvage this?I really hope so.
Finally,it's time to dive deep into the story.Wait,what is the main theme of this show?No idea,the synopsis says one thing but the show depicts a bunch of them.Without a main theme,this show lacks focus and perpetuates the problems in its characters.This is a show desperately tries to do everything but failed at everything.The writers obviously could not handle so much content and clearly needed to just focus on one specific theme.
On a side note,the art direction is alright,reminds me of the upcoming Fire Emblem Three Houses game.The soundtrack is actually really amazing,I actually feel extremely sad as this trainwreck of a show really does not deserve this god of a soundtrack.
All in all,this show is bad,really bad.It obviously had an amazing concept but the execution and subsequently abandoning of this very concept is what has solidified this show's place as a classic example of how not to write a story.
