TLDR: the anime is average, but will most likely get better.
Allow me to quickly pointing out the worst and the best:
WORST:
If you think the male lead in most harem shows are the shallowest, lack personality and are mildly infuriating, think again. Baam, the lead of this show, is one of the hollowest and most unbearable main characters across all genres, and especially so given the dark-fantasy-action setting of his universe. As a character whose existence hinges only on Rachel, another mysterious figure with little screen time and information revealed, Baam is as weak of a main character as you can possibly imagine.
Despite knowing that such a blank canvas of 0 appealing personality leaves plenty of room for character growth and development in the future, I struggle to enjoy anything whenever he's on screen, so much so that my immediate frustration outweighs my anticipation for fruitful outcome. There is simply too much unknown for new audiences to empathize with the cast and there is too little time to resolve them in a satisfying way.
BEST:
Now that the flaws are out of the way, I have nothing but praise for the consistent art. It is truly refreshing to see something unique, deviating from the generic style yet aesthetically pleasing. I especially enjoy the simple yet dynamic animation for liquid and other particles, which is able to mask some of the arguably lackluster fights. Great care was put into the different environments of the Tower, ranging from a grassy field outdoors to various combat arenas, while feeling coherent at the same time.
In terms of plot progression, the pacing is surprisingly natural. Despite the slow start overall, nothing felt rushed or forced. Although Baam's halt in terms of development may well be a byproduct of this, I would still prefer the way it is right now. It is certainly building up towards something better.
In contrast to Baam, the side characters are interesting and well pronounced. Instead of the common "main character making friends along the way" archetype, we are immediately introduced to a large amount of side characters. Thankfully, the execution was well enough to justify for other risks. They are memorable with unique designs, and are given sufficient time to showcase their reactions and interactions. Better (or worse) yet, all of them (individually) are way more interesting than Baam himself. Although most of their backstories and motivations have yet to be revealed, their diverse personalities are more intriguing even at face value, not to mention those with compelling reasons to climb the Tower. Needless to say, this makes for a conflicting viewing experience when you care for everyone but the main character.
Verdict:
Unfortunately, scoring 10/10 in terms of potential does not change the fact that the start to Tower of God is (necessarily and reasonably) slow, resulting in an average overall rating within the given small scope for anime-only viewers. I believe this is the type of show which is better at bringing attention to its source material, than it is at constructing a satisfying story in a limited time frame in regular anime pacing. That being said, I was so disheartened by the shallowness of Baam that I can't bring myself to sit through more of him in the Webtoon. I sincerely hope the buildup is worth it.
