At what cost would you take to protect your dream of peacefully living with someone? What if that dream were impossible? There have been shows with a yandere as a deuteragonist, most notably Future Diary, but this is the first one I've seen with the yandere as the protagonist. And with it comes a psychological angle that few anime can match.
The mainstream audience just doesn't get it. This isn't an easy watch. It plays with the idea that immoral actions aren't done for the sake of being immoral. The characters truly believe that what they are doing is just, and feel that the social system they've tried to adhere to has failed them. It goes into the calculated logic and thinking behind every move. You're not supposed to like Satou. This show doesn't try to influence you one way or another; it just presents everything at face value. Even if you hate Satou the character, and are adamant that no one is above the law, the show makes you respect her thought process and internalization, as well as the psychological conditions of most of the supporting characters. And that's what matters.
The sugary moments, juxtaposed with reality, are a work of art. As it's a cat-and-mouse thriller with one continuous story, I won't go into much of the details, but each episode left me wanting more and more. The cinematography during the flashbacks and internal monologues was fantastic. As everything is presented, it's up to the viewer to decide whether to root for certain characters, given their past and present actions.
I'd say it'd get more hype if it weren't on Amazon only. A North American physical disc release isn't on the horizon, either, probably due to the subject matter. The mainstream would never accept this as a critically acclaimed show, but not only was this my pick for 2018 anime of the year, it's one of the best shows I've ever seen.
