10/10
They cooked up a fine storm.
1 March 2024
Decide to write this, to give my own perspective, versus the other review caling it almost trash... Ever since I got the notification by Netflix that this series was coming, I had been looking forward to it. I went in blind, and really liked what I saw, contrary to many recent anime series. From the second episode onwards it just clicked for me. This is a feel-good adventure, that is very recognisable for everyone that ever played a tabletop fantasy rpg. Bumbling hero player-characters that have occasional great moments but are altogether very entertaining to watch. Interesting twists on trope-filled dungeons (like the animated armors and the mimics), the way traps work, and a great use of monsters. The lore of the series also really works, from its magic/mana system to the dungeon ecosystem, and honestly, I'd love a game set in this universe. Kuddos to the Mangaka who wrote the series, but knowing she loves Baldurs Gate (among other) so much, I should have guessed. The cooking is straight out of the Monster Hunter games and I'm here for that! And in the later episodes, the funny dungeon slice-of-life is also accompanied by actual combat, darker turns, *gasp* blood, death and personal stakes, just like any real and good rpg campaign. Characters start out very jokey and flat, but halfway season 1, once the tone is set, personal growth is shown and other parts to their personalities are revealed, if slowly. It honestly reminds me of older shows like the OG Full Metal Alchemist anime, with a dash of Chobits, that took their time to build the world, before jumping into full gear. Best reference? The original Last Airbender animation series. No filler/recap that takes up half an episode so far either. There's been glimpses and foreshadowing that the series will get much deeper and possibly darker too, but I love it, so far. I hope this won't get cancelled, truly. A very fun adventure, much like the end credits spell out: a party!
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