Lycoris Recoil

I’m gonna be the guy to come out and say, this was not a very good show. Definitely not worth the super high scores and ratings that the show is getting. I just do not see how it deserves those scores at all. The first part comes down to this being an original show, no source material issues or constraints there. The creators know exactly how many episodes they have to make the show, and therefore need to write a complete show that fits into that time frame. So why does the story feel so unfinished and unsatisfactory.

In the end of the show we have so many unfinished story and character threads. We don’t know the backstory of multiple main characters who had major roles in the show. The organizations who are the major players in the show are never actually detailed or explained, we don’t know where they came from or who they are. The characters have various abilities and superpowers, and yet we never actually get an explanation for why or how or where this abilities come from. I just want answers, I want to walk away from a single cour original show feeling satisfied that I got all the answers that I want, and not left feeling like it isn’t finished. And this feels unfinished.

It also commits a major sin for me, requiring such a massive amount of suspension of disbelief that I just can’t keep it up. Why do some characters have superpowers and other people don’t? How do some of these characters survive multiple death on impact moments, over and over again, with no injuries or repercussions. How is the population of Japan made up of unthinking drones who will believe anything the government tells them, despite watching the contrary themselves. Computers and the abilities of the hackers in the show vary largely in unbelievable moments that exceed believable abilities, and approach the level of AI and quantum computing. I can easily believe something like the main characters get knocked around in fights without issue, that is an age old trope. But when the villain takes dozens of close range shots from a gun that we have seen knock people out in a single hit, when a villain somehow survives a 1000ft fall, that is beyond my ability to believe.

But hey, lets move onto the characters why not. And I think they are actually pretty good. I like the characters and the main two characters got some pretty decent development throughout the show. Though in my opinion, some of their motivations are terrible and nonsensical. Chisato not using lethal rounds because she doesn’t want to kill people, but is fine shooting a “non-lethal” round at somebodies head is reminiscent of Batman not directly killing people with a gun but you know they weren’t surviving to the end of the fight from their injuries. Takina originally wants to just rejoin DA, but eventually grows close to Chisato and wants to stay with her, and has some pretty good growth in the show. Majima’s whole plan is he doesn’t like the DA, and wants to reveal it to everyone, though also he just wants to have a good fight. Honestly I don’t have too many major issues with character growth or the characters in general.

I will also give the show props for some good animation and fight scenes. The whole show looked good, didn’t have too many moments of obviously cheap or low quality animation or visuals. Just in general the show looks good, don’t think it is a masterpiece and won’t be remembered for the visuals. But good enough for a seasonal show.

Wrapping it all up, I just expected more from an A-1 Pictures original anime. They had so much potential to work with. It could have been a really dark anime with terrorists committing major crimes and destruction, and really made its mark as something special. But instead it is a half-finished show that never figured out it’s pacing or story, and spent far too much time on slice-of-life moments between the two main characters. I don’t think it was a very good show. And despite the high reviews and ratings, I highly doubt people will remember it next year outside of being that Yuri bait show with the Joker style villain.