—Technical
Motoki Tanaka (director):
Commentary: From what I have seen of Mr. Tanaka's works, the adaptation of the Grisaia franchise is easily his best work, though the Azur Lane adaptation wasn't bad either! It's difficult to believe that the same man that totally destroyed any hope of the "Rewrite" anime ever being good, was actually able to make a cohesive and emotionally impactful visual novel adaptation. It may have been more Front Wing's involvement with the project or the addition of the veteran, series composition producer, ※Hideyuki Kurata!
Good Seiyū Work
Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance
One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME
Takahiro Sakurai as Yūji Kazami:
Commentary: Mr. Sakurai is an incredible voice actor, he usually plays the more often than not, "cold-hearted" pretty boy characters. Though, he's really amazing at comedy roles, too! His talents really fit the role of Yūji Kazami, like a glove! Wonderful work!
Hiroko Taguchi as Amane Suō:
Commentary: I have only seen Ms. Taguchi in "Yosuga no Sora" — yet, I was captivated by her performance as Amane Suō. Especially when her backstory comes to light, her character's tenderness and wisdom is really gently conveyed throughout the dialogue! Amazing job!
Ryōko Tanaka as Yumiko Sakaki:
Commentary: I enjoyed Ms. Sakaki's performance in "Little Busters" a lot, but, with that said, I kind of wish I hadn't looked at her discography! She a couple of characters, in both the "Kara no Shōjo" and "Cartagra" visual novels that I really didn't like! Despite that, her characterization of Yumiko Sakaki was really good!
Kaori Mizuhashi as Michiru Matsushima:
Commentary: Ms. Mizuhashi is a really, really, incredibly talented seiyū — I tend to prefer her more mature-sounding roles, but her work on Michiru is still really top-notch! Excellent job!
Ai Shimizu as Sachi Komine:
Commentary: Ms. Shimizu's voice is so frickin' adorable! I initially thought that Sachi would be my favorite based on her downright endearing nature and maid aesthetic! I really loved her as Minawa Andō in "Mahoromatic," too! Incredible!
Tomoe Tamiyasu as Makina Irisu:
Commentary: I only know Ms. Tamiyasu, other than in the Grisaia series, in "Little Busters"! But, her voice is very charming and sweet! Amazing job!
Akane Tomonaga as Kazuki Kazami:
Commentary: I recently watched ChäoS;HEAd, a few months ago, and although I mostly watched it with the English dub, I did sample a little bit of the Japanese audio, too; Ms. Tomonaga has a very sexy-sounding voice! Great job with calculated, yet sensual character of Kazuki Kazami!
Overall, "Grisaia no Meikyū" and "Grisaia no Rakuen" are affected by some of the same pitfalls the other visual novels are faced with, a) too much of a story leads to overwrought exposition, b) too much of a hurried backstory seems like a recipe for gut-churning, tragic pornography, rather a palatable character path, and c) "too many routes leads to none," the conclusion isn't satisfying, because it incorporates too many elements. I thought that the build-up to the "Kazuki is still alive" reveal was too delayed, too, waiting through scene to humdrum scene of nonstop talking, made her inevitable entrance anti-climatic — at most, a good toss-back to the first season! I give both "Grisaia no Meikyū" and "Grisaia no Rakuen" a 3/10!
Ratings:
The Labyrinth of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Meikyū") ★★☆☆☆
The Eden of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Rakuen") ★★☆☆☆
Other Rankings:
The Fruit of Grisaia ("Grisaia no Kajitsu") ★★★★☆
Grisaia: Phantom Trigger ★★★☆☆
