Reviews

Dec 16, 2024
Beyond the Boundary is a nonsensical attempt at an emotional rollercoaster starring strikingly designed and animated characters that viewers won’t care one lick about. Things are not as they seem Beyond the Boundary, but is this because of a well-written thriller, or an unorganized plot that jumps the shark every episode in the second half? Unfortunately it’s the latter. The central problem lies in the shows struggle to define spirit warriors, their organizations, powers, limitations, and relationship with Yomu (monsters). I typically enjoy anime where the negative emotions of humans manifest in some sort of tangible threat as BTB does with Yomu. This gives shows the ability to explore emotional stakes with visually striking fights…and BTB succeeds in the visually striking part with some of the most inventive fight sequences I’ve seen in a while. Where BTB fails is in those emotional metaphors being unable to strike a chord with its audience. Besides physically fighting the monsters, by the end it’s unclear how any of the main characters grew and overcame the negative emotions they were experiencing. Without real emotional stakes, what we’re left with is a guy with a glasses fetish having an unnecessarily complicated will-they/won’t-they with the new transfer student. So much time is spent playing up the two male characters fetishes for laughs that it obscures any personality that is hinted at later as having existed behind that. The humor falls flat most of the time. The character designs on the other hand are gorgeous and distinct. Each spirit warrior with their own unique fighting style, from fighting with a scarf that flows like a whip, to a tiny pet that dashes in the air on the warrior’s behalf, is choreographed exquisitely in their fight scenes.

I would show fight scenes of this to someone, but I wouldn’t want them to have to sit through the whole show.

Story: 3/10
Characters: 2/10
Animation: 10/10
Design: 9/10
Enjoyment: 5/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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