Maybe I'm missing something, but despite some really solid technical chops (the last few episodes are directed so fucking well and the cinematography is gorgeous, that sound design is hilarious too), I unfortunately have to report that for me, NieA Under 7 is a bit of a misfire. That makes me sad, because underneath all of the baffling low moments, there's a real core of something great, especially in a story about how key it is to accept and understand that we cannot expect immigrants to live the exact same lives the way others might, and how that is okay, and should be normal, expected, even. There are moments where that core idea shines through in a really captivating way, but the writing is so inconsistent and, for reasons you already know if you are here, is at times entirely negated by blatant racism.

I genuinely do not know how the writers of this story could have such a beautiful core idea about acceptance, liberation, and freedom not only from tyranny but freedom from one's own self-imposed misery- and then nearly ruin all of it with the inclusion of Chada. I can understand if he doesn't ruin all of that for you, I have friends who can see the beauty int he show despite the ugliness of this character's inclusion, but he really makes it hard, doesn't he? I don't even understand what half of his jokes are meant to convey, other than mean spirited racism. they don't even make logical sense, they're just off putting, unfunny, and instantly make me plead for the next scene to come up. His character is in such stark contrast to this show's themes that it makes me both confused and frustrated. I'm aware this is a TV series from 2000 but it was wrong then, and it's wrong now.

I'm also torn on NieA herself- she has her charming and fun moment,s and there are bits of comedy I do really like with her- and the few dramatic moments she has are really captivating. But she is honestly written so unlike ably at times that I question how much empathy the writers truly have for her character. I can tell that they intended there to be a great deal, particularly at the end, and to be honest some of that does come through. But not all of it. Unfortunately, sometimes she really had me feeling bad for Mayu and her family over her.

That said, it's a good thing that Mayuko is a great character and actually a solid character to lens the story through. Often times when a storya bout marginalization is lensed through a more "normal" character's eyes, the entire perspective of the story is off base and the themes become muddled or lost. Int his case, Mayu isn't on much better footing than NieA- and this was a great choice. She may be frustrated at NieA's lifestyle choices and how much trouble she causes her, but they are both struggling for survival, just in different ways- and making them kindred spirits in this way was a great choice. She is the highlight of the show by far and honestly, this character feels ripped from a completely different show.

So, yeah. overall there is good to be found, but not nearly enough for me to say that this is great, or even really good. It is worth a watch in some sense though, for its technical accomplishments, the nostalgic factor of 2000s anime, and I suppose the "vibes" are quite appealing at time, as well. I'm glad to have seen this, I just wish It was better.