Do you ever find yourself putting on anime or a movie to go to sleep to? It's something I regularly do. I call it the "pass out flick." Well, every time I've put on this series as a pass out flick I've gotten sucked in again, and wound up watching at least half of it before getting to sleep. That is the only way this series is a fail; as a pass out flick! I just re watched Stein's Gate for the I don't know how many'th time (something I find myself doing with a VERY select few anime.) After glancing at my profile, it was a surprise to realize I hadn't written a review about it. Maybe it shouldn't be that surprising since I don't write many reviews.
The first few episodes are a little ... well ... slow. In fact I almost didn't watch the series after the first episode or two. WHATEVER YOU DO, don't give up. Stein's Gate develops into an anime worthy of the title masterpiece. As a work of science fiction it is brilliant. Incorporating just enough real world fact (or more often theory) to lend the fantasy credibility, and at the same time circumnavigating the stickier issues with such simple explanations that you just naturally accept the path the story takes. ... ... ...
Additionally, Stein's Gate is so much more than just a great work of science fiction. It's also a masterpiece of drama. Even after re-watching the series so many times there are still scenes that get me teary eyed (again something VERY rare for me in entertainment of any genre not just anime.) Last and certainly not least. The series possesses something all to rare in good anime most particularly anime that is good drama; a happy ending.
I'm sure at least a select few will enjoy this anime as much as I have.
