I'll go quick on the plot, as my main focus will be unfolding the underlying message of this brightful anime.
The end.
The first episode hooked me instantly, because of how absurd it is to be happy that the world is ending, and also because I know too well how burn out feels.
The next few episodes have some ups and downs, with some anime clichés here and there, like the dull past of Shizuka. But oh well, you gotta take the time to introduce the characters and do some world building I guess.
The last 3 episodes at Akira's hometown felt a bit forced at times, mostly with the villains being overly caricatural. But, going past that annoying part, they actually serve a purpose (more on that later).
I went into this anime just expecting some dumb adventures of a guy enjoying his life during the apocalypse but, to my surprise, some underlying messages really resonated with me.
Right off the bat, the most chocking thing is the contrast between the zombie apocalypse currently taking place, and how everything is being depicted so brightly and colorfully.
Obviously, it fits Akira's change of perspective about life. And, to me, that's the main takeaway message here: whatever life throws at you, there IS a way to get back on your feet and thrive nonetheless. It all boils down to looking at the situations differently, and making (sometimes, bold) choices.
Akira's first big change in life in that matter isn't due to his own volition of course, since the apocalypse decided for him. But that was the shock he needed, as we all need one sometimes. From then on, he is his own man, making choices towards what really holds meaning in his eyes.
Meaning. Purpose. That's the other point this anime makes: you need to have some purpose in life to enjoy it. And you gotta think carefully: what is it that REALLY matters to you to feel fulfilled? Grinding? Nah, I'd pass.
You really see in the first episode how a few life choices can really crush all sense of meaning and purpose, making you feel like you're barely surviving and don't have a choice anymore.
And the anime doesn't make the mistake of showing us some dumb YOLO character, as in being wildly selfish and self-centered: Akira show how chasing your own happiness IS compatible with showing empathy and giving back to others.
This sounds a bit too "positive thinking" uh? I'm not into that so don't worry, and neither is this anime: you can see how quickly Akira goes back to his old self when running into his old boss. That's actually a very meaningful lesson here: on the path to change, you are eventually gonna hit some lows here and there. You're not gonna magically be happily ever after, no more pain, stuff like that. Shit happens, you may still suffer and fail. The point is to look at it differently, think and adapt, instead of just feeling sorry for yourself and blaming the circumstances endlessly.
Also, about the "villains" from the last 3 episodes that I mentioned earlier as serving a purpose: they very clumsily show how much one can take a wrong turn in life from sheer lack of trying, lack of empathy, or from the fear to fail. They are extremely caricatural, but I see them as serving a twofold purpose. One, showing how not asking yourself the right questions can make your life turn for the worst. Two, seeing how they and Akira are extreme opposite, it's a nice reminder for ourselves that we are allowed to fail, the point being trying to bounce back.
All in all, this anime really shows how it feels like to burn out :
1/ being crushed
2/ being cut from the source of burn out, and starting to burn through life mindlessly like you've figured it all out
3/ relapsing
4/ getting back on your feet, but this time while assessing your true values
It really is an anime full of hope that I recommend warmly. And even if you don't care much for the underlying ideas, it's still a very fun anime, full of colors, full of life, with high quality animation.
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