I'm used to anime with longer and more episodes, and this is definitely something I can see a theme of in this one. It feels like major plot points and events (such as the Panda Doctor leaving the city with Bisco, or the big robot turning out to be controlled by the bad guy and AT THE SAME TIME having Bisco inside of it) are incredibly undermined, and it only gives the viewer subtle clues as to exactly what is happening or how things are going.
I do like myself a little bit of mystery and having to think after a little, but given the extreme over-the-top feel that this anime gives off, maybe it doesn't quite fit. I really loved those elements in Psycho-Pass, where the characters get clues but then make a deduction by themselves in the end and effectively explaining it for the viewers that didn't pick up on it. I feel like this anime is missing that.
Other than that, I quite love the opening and ending. The fantasy-ish theme is there, and the animation of it just amazes me. The same cannot be said for the anime though, the animation is lacklustre in some places and often uses 3D models which look like something made in Windows Movie Maker.
The characters are go through a lot of development that seems natural and is just barely far-fetched enough to still feel familiar but also distant. In the world they live in, it might as well make sense, but it feels a bit over-the-top a lot of the times. Just like this anime itself!
The stakes keep increasing, the risk factor keeps getting higher, and in the end I had to take a break from watching the last 3 episodes because I had just gotten a bit mentally tired, and had to process it.
This kind of goes back to what I mentioned earlier, where this anime only has 12 episodes and has to fit a lot more in, compare that to Psycho-Pass with 22 which can obviously fit a lot more story and worldbuilding, as well as pacing it a bit better.
The underlying issues of this anime are because of three things:
1. The pacing
2. The medium-budget animation and 3D models
3. The over-the-top (and seemingly rushed) adaptation of the source material writing, which expects the watcher to pay attention to detail and not giving it much attention themselves.
Now, thing is, all of these three issues could most likely be solved by giving the anime more episodes and content to build on, more time to think about things, and more budget as well as freedom. It feels like it's true potential isn't reached.
Well, it's whatever. The anime is already out now, can't fix that.
I honestly would recommend you to watch this anime, but I would also recommend you to rewatch it one or two times to fully understand what's going on.
If you're not into that, try to pay attention and keep your eyes on the details, it's going to be worth it in the end. Or don't, and don't watch it.
