People who feel bored of the same kind of anime
If you like deep characterization and plot
Not recommended for: People who like their animes in the “typical style”
People who dislike a slow plot
In the beginning I felt this series had a similar feel to Digimon. It was quite childish but at the same time dark. However, this defiantly wasn’t aimed at children. The many speeches about “quantum physics” would defiantly leave them baffled and confused. There are also some scenes that they’d just not understand or would become very disturbed by what they’re seeing. I think the art and character designs was purposely done this way to reflect the innocence of its main characters as they are all twelve years old.
As you know, or might have guessed, this series is about time travel. I have watched time travelling documentaries before and know for a fact the theories of time travel in this anime are actually what scientist believe would happen if you went in the future or past. However, it is greatly stretched to the point it becomes completely confusing. This anime, although sci-fi, is defiantly also fantasy. And I feel trying to make the time travelling seem so real didn’t work when you had monsters and people with magical powers going around. But perhaps this is just the creator showing off his knowledge of time travel.
I admit a lot of the time this anime is very, very confusing. I’m still confused about many things and I’m a disappointed these things were never explained.
But, despite all that, I loved it!
It’s been a while since I could sit down and really enjoy an anime this much. It was very refreshing and its good characterization made me care about the characters which meant certain scenes caused me to shed a few sad tears and a few happy ones. The characters are defiantly one of the highlights of this series. Every one of them is unique in personality and design. However, the secondary main character becomes extremely annoying after a while. Yu (pronounced “you” in English which becomes confusing after a while) is a winy, emo kid that you want to slap repeatedly. There’s just some things he shouldn’t have thrown tantrums over and I don’t know why the makers of this made someone who you should love as annoying as this. He is probably the main reason I’d not give this anime full marks. He is alright at times but whenever Karasu appears he becomes annoying again. Really, why did he hate him so much? I know he was jealous but…(slight spoilers coming up but this is said in the first episode) Karasu is him so it’s a bit weird how much he hated himself.
The rest of the characters who you are meant to like, you do. I loved Atori the best and thought the voice actor played him well in English with some hilarious lines that sound like the translators were having a laugh by putting them in.
The main protagonist is also likeable and her reactions to things are often realistic. But I really don’t understand her “powers”. There should have been a deeper meaning for the reasons she had them.
The animation in this anime can’t exactly be described as “absolutely beautiful”, but it’s beautiful in the sense it’s different. With realistic movements combined with a Hollywood type soundtrack I felt like I was watching a movie that was a cross between a western and Japanese cartoon. Some of the actions of the characters are also very typical of western cartoons and you never see “sweatdrops” or “anime falls”. Sometimes it looks great. And other times it can look weird (like weird teeth movements that makes one of the characters look like Peter off Family Guy). The CGI is also overused and a bit off putting. And at first some obviously computer shots were beautiful, until the same kind of shot was used more than five times.
Also, the soundtrack is amazing but very repetitive. The first few episodes of this anime also become quite repetitive with “character comes to kill the main characters but doesn’t” or “Yuu becomes depressed”.
OK, enough complaining from me. I am a little too critical at times. Trust me; this anime is defiantly one of the best I’ve ever seen!
Despite some faults in plot it keeps your intention to the point where you can’t stop watching it. It’s time travelling is different from any other time travelling films or series I’ve watched so far and fans of this type of genre will love it. It’s also done in a way it just seems like one big movie instead of a bunch of episodes.
With a fantastic plot (although a little confusing), great characters (regardless of Yu), great animation (although not completely anime like) this is a very enjoyable watch. If you like deep characterization and plot, and can overlook faults easily, I highly recommend giving this anime a go.
