
a review by Yinkawa

a review by Yinkawa
In/Spectre - The Supernatural Mystery Letdown
TL;DR - In/Spectre as an overall anime, both seasons one and two, were an honest letdown. This isn't going to just be some rant about how I dislike the show(s), I want to use this thread/post to help any potential future watchers not get told about the shows "amazing plot", just to be let down as much as I was. The concept behind the show/manga definitely is something interesting, but the series just missed the mark with such the lackluster storyline, and easily forgettable characters.
A more detailed/information based look into my review; In/Spectre is a mix of mystery, and supernatural with some dabbling in romance between the main characters. After watching both seasons, I can confidently say, they were just so far off with it's pacing, story, and characters. For me, at least, it definitely left a lingering taste of bitterness towards it.
Starting off with one of my biggest issues/complaints about the show, and why I think of it so poorly, is the character development. In every good story, there needs to be good character development to keep watchers engaged, and interested in the characters themselves. There needs to be a sort of, feel, to the characters. Something that sparks well with the watchers, such as myself, and I really think In/Spectre disregarded this idea completely. The main characters Kotoko Iwanaga, who I will refer to as "Kotoko", and Kurou Sakuragawa, who I will refer to as "Kurou", throughout the manga, and both seasons, have stayed almost completely the same as when the series started. There isn't a deep dive into them as characters, or to their personality or motivations, which makes it hard to care, or even remember them after a while after watching. After watching the anime, or reading the manga, you'll easily forget their names, because they just aren't doing anything that can leave anything in the viewers heads. For example, we all know and love Mai Sakurajima. Why? Because her character changes so much throughout the entire BGS series. The characters are dynamic, there are certain attributes to the characters that keep you wanting more of them. It's not the case at all for Kotoko or Kurou.
Continuing on with another massive issue with the anime, is it's pacing and narrative. The series progressed at the pace of a fallen acorn, being rolled around by wind speeds at 1km/h. While some people MAY dig this style of content progression, it really does not hook well with people who enjoy a faster paced, more action filled plot. In/Spectre's story feels, empty or small. Low stakes, not enough interesting characters to add spice. It's just too much of a linear progression story over anything else.
I can however, give this anime props for good voice acting, amazing art styling, good music, and clean animations, but all of those pros just cannot cover the cons. Uninteresting characters, unengaging plot, terribly slow pacing, and an overall static storyline.
In/Spectre definitely is a good watch for people who enjoy slower paced shows with little to no change in the story, or characters, but for those who enjoy more action, or a quicker pace in general, should steer clear of this show. They might give mystery enjoyers, or supernatural enjoyers a little belly tickle, this series ultimately falls far from the title of greatness.
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