
a review by YoImErin

a review by YoImErin
I came into the show with high expectations, recommended to me by several people, including friends.
I wanted to enjoy it but found myself VERY skeptical at first. I started off with a "ehhh, is it really that good?" attitude in Episode 1 but rediscovered myself absolutely falling in love with it by Episode 2 and 3. Escalating into 4 and 5, I was FULLY HOOKED.
I knew it was amazing and was filled with nothing but joy and intense emotions, feeling with the characters.
It didn't let me down ONCE. It blew the expectations out of the water.
The good things about it? Well where do I begin. (No need to name bad things because I genuinely couldn't think of any)
The comedy and comedic timing are honestly spot on. This part is what I was most skeptical of. However it's mix of pure emotional tension and slice-of-lifey lightheartedness brought a strong sense of realism into every character interaction.
Each character, though they have their own quirk and could establish them every time, are still down to earth and relatable. Mob is an AWESOME main character with a heart-melting struggle and resolve alike.
Reigen started off as odd to me... but only because I didn't realize how deep and realistically, emotionally divided characters could be and I very quickly learned how incorrectly I passed prejudice upon this great and unique character.
Every side character has their own flavor and liven up the world perfectly. From the REAL LADS over in the Body Improvement club, to all the other people who would normally just be left to the sidelines as unimportant oneshots, they all feel so valid and self-aware, like part of the world.
It can be over the top, it can be tear-jerking, it can be heart wrenching but it will always find a way to bring you back and metaphorically tell the viewer to "keep their chin up". The messages they convey do hold quite some weight and can be very relatable to many aspects of life. The show feels like it doesn't take itself too seriously but conveys the proper moods for a roller coaster of whatever you may need, don't get me wrong here, it's not that they don't take themselves seriously.
It's that they know not to push too hard. The writing seems very conforming to that, especially in how well they pace every arc, everything has its place and a time and nothing is overdone, it all stops when its had it's spot light, to let the other parts of the show have their go.
The action is fun as hell to compliment the character interactions, not traditional, even though it seems like it would be. Very well executed in my opinion.
What deserves an equal amount of praise is the execution of the art.
The art direction is obviously to be viewed subjectively, however the production quality is much more than just "through the roof". The unique mashups and switch-ups in terms of art styles to convey varying situations differently is simply awe striking. Incredibly involving and immersive. It MIGHT take some time to get used to, IF you're not used to more open and creative styles that try (and manage) to push boundaries of what fits and it carries the show very well and feels just right for it.
I haven't enjoyed a show or any type of media this much, since my first time viewing of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. And that show has a special place in my heart.
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