
a review by Ryzex18

a review by Ryzex18
Hello, Lets get straight to it i guess. Spoilers Ahead
My review here won't be one at the top of the list or anything but thats fine by me, all i want is to share my opinion on this show.
Steins; Gate is a masterpiece, there is no doubt to that both personally and in the community. No matter what you hear, it always is praised and I am not here to disagree with that as it is hugely deserved. To be fair, i struggled through the first 6 episodes, getting thrown straight into this world is difficult and it takes a bit before everything is explained and makes sense to a degree. By Episode 6 however, the general gist of the show had caught on and i greatly enjoyed the following use of time travel and some of the greatest characters ever written, with quite a few characters in this show, its amazing that each one of them has a fully fledged personality that makes each one so lovable every episode.
I mean, i can't state just how amazing the characters in this show are, each one is quirky and just brilliantly written, and it blends so well with the story that it is 100% a good chunk of the reason why this show is so amazing.
By Episode 12 i was greatly enjoying the show and it was late but i thought i'd watch one more as i was enjoying the story. Of course this was a bad idea to do at past midnight, Episode 12 completely shatters everything and crushes your heart. Mayuri is flat out killed, one of the two most likable characters is killed in an instant, and you watch slowly as the always smiling and tooting Mayuri hits the ground dead. And then it ends the episode. I was shocked, so much so i immediately knew that the show was about to get so good i smiled, a painful smile but i did. That change of tone showed the start of something great, and you bet i watched the next episode, keeping me up too late but i didn't care, it was too good.
The following episodes all are amazing, you wish with all your heart for a success that never comes and slowly watch the characters you love break down and it seems like a lost cause, but with the great power of time travel, a solution can be found, painfully we watch as character development is undone by going back in time and yet even so the characters are still enjoyable, its painful to watch as Okarin goes back but those around him loses the memory and bonds they had grown, especially Kurisu who multiple times shows a slight affection to Okarin when he finally calls her by her real name, but yet again that is lost too. Its a sad reality, but its all done to save Mayuri's smile, which is a worthy sacrifice. Through all this my love for the characters never stopped growing as they continue to develop even though they are losing it as well. Its a great mix that i can't properly explain but i love.
All of this leads to a final decision which caught me off guard and yet again shatters everything, Mayuri can be saved, but Kurisu must die. A revelation that was always there plain as day if you stopped to think, but of course i wouldn't i was too entranced with learning about Rukako and Faris, or seeing Daru wind up Suzuha, or Mayuri's adorable passion to everyone. Suddenly, the solution was there but it would mean losing Kurisu, a character that was great and made Okarin even better. This revelation was heartbreaking.
The ending, of reaching the Steins; Gate world was great, a twist i longed for it slowly began to doubt. The show had me watching as Okarin failed, to save Kurisu, linking the entire start of the show to now and he was giving up, the same as Okarin i gave up hope, but thankfully there was a light, a future Okarin who had figured it out. With some preparation, Kurisu was saved and they all reached Steins; Gate, happily and i was satisfied.
A masterpiece of a series that had amazing story and characters, it can't be flawed really. I will always love this show, it's a masterpiece in two parts, before episode 12 it is funny, smart and just a joy to watch, after episode 12 it is tense, funny and outright surprising.
Not only that but there IS a second part, a telling of the future Okarin that sent the message. I've already reviewed that series if you want to see, but i'll give you a heads up. I think its even more of a masterpiece.
I hope this review was good, once i start writing i notice when i lose my thought. Some reviews i talk about my opinions and thoughts, others i actually recap the plot. Hopefully both ways convey my points and make someone agree or disagree.
El Psy Congroo
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