Reviews

The Eternal Aseria is a nostalgic, if somewhat generic OVA from the mid-2000s, notable only for being an isekai which predates the craze that would come later. The story is formulaic but entertaining, with your typical 'transported to another world, surrounded by girls who are obsessed with you' trope being the main narrative tentpole of the show. While the fights are fun, and the world is passingly entertaining, it's easy to guess what happens next at any given moment, which leads to a lack of dramatic tension. It also ends rather abruptly, and feels as though this OVA is nothing more than an advertisement for the game it's based on. The art is the strongest aspect of this anime, but that's not saying much. It excels in some respects, but falls dreadfully behind in many others. The art direction really shines here, with fun character designs, architecture, arms and armor throughout. Even the backgrounds feel fantastic and immersive. Perhaps it's because the era is so nostalgic for me, but I thought it stood out in that respect. However, all the other aspects of the art betray a limited time and budget. Animation shortcuts, bizarre panning shots, and weird cuts all come together to make this anime feel distinctly cheap, despite its engaging art direction. The sound is generally unremarkable, meeting all basic standards of quality. Same goes for the characters, who fulfill their various archetypes, from the quiet, reserved blue-haired waifu, to the hyper loli, to the deadly tan assassin girl. They're all pretty unremarkable, but not intolerably bland. In short, they serve their purpose. Overall, The Eternal Aseria is a short mid-2000s OVA with not much to set it apart from the crowd. If you have a particular interest in mid-2000s anime, like I do, or if you have a thing for isekai, then there might be something here for you, even if it just proves to be a somewhat palatable way to pass an hour or so.