Many anime have extremely memorable styles that give it a visual punch, but few have achieved it to the level of this show. Without a doubt, “ACCA: 13 Territory Inspection Dept.” is one of the most stylish shows to have come out in recent memory.

A YouTube commenter once noted that the show felt “very textured” visually and that it possessed a strong attention to detail in regard to “sensual things like hair, cigarette smoke, the countless food items, and the like.”

Even if the plot may not necessarily appeal to many if not most audiences, the style that the animators use for this short series is nothing short of amazing and worthy of watching just on its own. That is not to say that “ACCA” is reliant on its strong visuals; the plot stands strong on its own and proves to be an intriguing ride from start to finish. However, had it not been for the captivating visuals present on-screen, this show would have likely not been as effective in giving the atmosphere needed for this type of show.

Firstly, given that recent anime is typically an explosive combination of high-paced action and almost schizophrenic visuals, “ACCA” is an outlier in today’s anime market given its status as not only being extremely slow-paced, but also almost devoid of any action. Because the show is a political thriller, “ACCA” may come across as unappealing for many audiences. In fact, it could be arguable that had it not been for the fact this was animated the way it was, this show would have likely fallen off the radar completely.

Taking place in a fictional kingdom divided into thirteen distinct states, the show focuses on Jean Otis, who is an officer who is in charge of observing and reporting activities back to his agency, the titular ACCA. While the adventures of a government inspector sounds rather unengaging, “ACCA” brings political intrigue into the mix as Otis begins to realize his role in the middle of a national conspiracy that threatens to change the entire country.

Viewers entering this series should not expect any major action sequences. This is a show about political intrigue and maneuvering that is more like “House of Cards” then it is “White House Down.” As a manga adaptation, the show is extremely loyal to its source material, which was a political thriller in its own right. Audiences looking for an intense and high-octane experience will be disappointed.

Even in its most intense moments, “ACCA” carries on its storytelling gracefully. In the kingdom of Dowa which Otis serves, political scheming is a very clean affair. When the end of the series approaches, all questions that the audience may have will be answered thanks to how tightly written the plot is. There are numerous characters that Otis meets throughout his journey, and almost all of them serve a purpose in the grand scheme of things. Aside from several comedy relief characters (which are a hit-and-miss in terms of their effect), “ACCA” never introduces new characters without them being relevant at the end.

On the topic of relevance, “ACCA” also does not attempt to pad its plot in any way. As mentioned before, the story is very tightly written and it is clear that the author of its source material had a clear purpose in mind. As such, there are few moments where the story seems to be dragging along, and even though the pacing is admittedly slow, “ACCA” always moves forward at a consistent pace that gradually builds up to a satisfying and conclusive finale by the time the credits roll.

This show’s plot is also tied heavily with its visual style. As mentioned before, “ACCA” would have likely not have been as effective of a show had it not been for the strong visuals backing it up. Many shows are carried by their strong visuals in order to cover for its weaker storytelling, but “ACCA” instead uses its strong visuals to complement its strong storytelling, which creates a more memorable and atmospheric experience as a whole. It’s a beautiful combination that makes for a stunning end product.

That being said, the show is not flawless. While “ACCA” wraps up cleanly and delivers a satisfying conclusion, it does so in a way that’s almost too clean that almost seems like the result of an extremely fortunate set of circumstances. There are hardly ever any major setbacks in the plot that change the complete context of the plot save for one major twist near the end of the show. “ACCA” should be applauded for how fluid its plot feels with each passing episode. The show flows naturally and once audiences are hooked onto its main premise, it’s easy to lose track of time as each new development becomes more engrossing than the one before it.

It should also be noted that while no character is useless, many of them come across as being somewhat bland. This is not to say that they are terrible characters, but it is to say that there isn’t really a single character in the show that really steals the show with the exception of main protagonist Jean Otis, who is characterized to be a rather reserved and enigmatic individual. It is hard to tell what he’s thinking at times given his lack of strong emotions, which can be quite problematic for some audience members who may not be used to a protagonist like him. “ACCA” is more plot-driven than character-driven, which unfortunately results in a case of somewhat unmemorable characters.

To conclude, “ACCA” is a stunning political thriller that capitalizes on its well-written plot and brilliant visuals. While it arguably falls short in the characterization of its key characters, the show is nonetheless a strong anime that will likely stand up to the test of time. Audiences looking for a slow-paced show with plenty of intrigue and mystery will find this to be an amazing experience.