For anyone who has yet to watch the show and is contemplating whether to give it a shot, I personally think the decision is quite simple; stop reading this review and go on ahead and start streaming it!
However, if you’re still hesitant to plunge right in, let's talk a little about it. And as for those who have already watched LycoReco, I welcome you back from what I’d like to think has been an amazing journey.
This year’s summer anime season could be summed up into two categories: The Season of the Sequels, and The Season of Streamer Jail.
When you have such a great stack of anime to watch from, whether it be the sequels (The Devil is a Part-Timer, Overlord, Made in Abyss), new must-watch anime ruined by streaming services (Uncle From Another World, Summertime Rendering, etc), or even gems like Call of the Night, it is natural to glance over what might seem like a generic shoujo anime.
This summer season has been a little strange in that the culmination of production delays and streamer jail lockups has made the community ready to leave the summer behind and welcome an objectively blockbuster Fall Anime season.
Despite these external forces weighing down the enjoyment of the summer season, LycoReco was strangely immune to the negativity surrounding it. It was one of the few exceptions of summer anime that the community actually looked forward to week-in and week-out.
But why?
Admittedly, the synopsis for the anime is obscure and generic, but if you look past this you will find that it does not do the show justice. LycoReco is simply much more than what it seems, for the show’s source material is firstly original, which not only provides the viewers a breath of fresh air but also adds suspense and excitement. The motivations of some villains can be a little convoluted at times, but it does not diminish the fact that we are kept on the edge of our seats with this level of anticipation. If anything, it is because of this and rightfully so that we often see the show trending on social media on a weekly basis.
The visuals and animation are simply stunning, with the action sequences all throughout this anime impeccably choreographed. At least… that’s my opinion. Regarding this aspect of the anime, you simply have to experience it yourself and determine whether or not it is to your liking as art is understandably subjective.
Despite everything that has been discussed so far, it is the characters where the show’s strength really lies. It's been a while since an anime has captured my full attention every episode, and LycoReco seems to continuously push the envelope in terms of engagement and entertainment due to its relationship-building between characters. It's not only the way the show creates a natural chemistry between the cast, but the way it makes you as the viewer actually connect with them on a personal level that adds to the overall experience.
There is something about our main characters Chisato and Takina (ignoring the fact that they are teen assassins), that is something authentic and real about them. The trials and tribulations they go through are gripping, and the development especially for the latter is truly remarkable. Over the course of this show, you can’t help but find them endearing and want to root for them all of the way.
Credit has to go to the entire staff at A-1 Pictures for creating such a lovely piece of work. This anime was just short of a masterpiece from beginning to end and I hope more studios continue to explore the idea of using original material. The potential is there for the taking and LycoReco is a prime example of how such a story, even in an environment where the odds seem stacked against it, can thrive with the right execution.
