ACCA:13 is a slow-burn, cerebral, political anime which hones in on the thinking and strategies that surround government decisions. It ponders the notions of rebellion and seeks that type of plot out throughout the course of its narrative. But really that's all it attempts to achieve, political pondering and anti-climax.

Going in to this series I didn't expect a lot of action. I had heard about this anime a long time ago and when it popped up in my recommended anime catalogue I decided to give it a try. The outstanding art style was what initially drew me in, and then the anime's lively opening begged me to stay. The show's ending is also beautiful, with an interesting sketchy art style to accompany its elegant yet rough animation. If you watch the ending all the way through it's a great way to spend the time wondering about the happenings of each episode. You will need to think about what happened if you're invested in the story, but maybe don't theorize too much as it, unfortunately, won't return the intrigue it sets up with satisfying results (or consequences for that matter).

The premise of the show is interesting in its own right, there isn't much political drama in anime as we know it right now (the best of its kind I've seen so far would be Legend of the Galactic Heroes; ACCA:13 does not pose as a direct rival to it, unfortunately). But when I say this show is slow-burn I mean it, whole heartedly. This show is about deliberation first and foremost and unfortunately in later episodes that deliberation comes without the serious stakes as it would in more traditional political dramas. You spend most of the time waiting for someone to make a move like an incredibly cautious board game.

ACCA:13's characters, for the most part, are laissez-faire. Direct actions rarely come, and if they do seem to come it is usually the result of a backseat puppeteer. If I were to name favourites, I'd say Nino is by far the best character. He is the most nuanced and his character decisions are the most motivated out of the entire cast. Mauve is also an incredible character. I only wish we got to see more of her own motivated action and expression of self that wasn't in need of Jean being there. To address Jean though, I think he would have been more compelling if only the story's plot wasn't stringing him along. That probably comes from his characterization though, he's laidback by proxy. Despite that I was in want of more drive from him as the narrative's central character. He was the key to everything going on and as a viewer I really rarely ever felt that way about him. His importance to the plot felt confused for most of the story until about two thirds into the series's course when it turned out nearly everything lied on his shoulders. He doesn't feel like the anime's main character.

Overall, don't expect your watch of ACCA:13 to be thrilling. It's a nice anime to lay back and watch for its sharp art style and delicious looking food stills (I was craving pastries and bread nearly every episode, that's how effective it is). But if you're looking for a political drama that delivers on intriguing set up and satisfying, fulfilling pay-off this anime may disappoint you as it surely disappointed me.