Today I reviewed the season’s other trapped-in-a-fantasy-world show! Grimgar was great, in the end – the show had a wide variety of tiny issues, but none that could really substantially detract from the things it did well. It was lovely to see a show that actually treated one of these worlds as a living space, and treated the things people do there as actions with consequences. From what I’ve heard, a great deal of Grimgar’s merits came down to the excellence of its director, so I’m very eager to see whatever he does next. A great show is one thing, but a show that introduces me to a new artist to follow is even better.
You can check out my full review over at ANN!
I think I’m beginning to understand why you appreciate Grimgar more than Rakugo Shinjuu. Grimgar’s characters are very honest projections of ourselves in a setting that we often take for granted. We’re spoiled in RPGs with all of the save points and potions and magics spells – but Grimgar tells us that any misstep could cost the life of a party member. And there are no phoenix downs here – only the weight and guilt of regret.
And I believe Grimgar capitalized on this insight to create a compelling character piece that breathes life into its world, allowing us to relate quite closely with the inner monologue of Haruhiro.
Rakugo Shinjuu tends to be a self-composed piece, like a pristine porcelain figure that you can look at but not touch. It’s characters feel real, but like you said, I can’t connect with them, probably because I’ve never experienced a tragedy that could even compare to theirs. Certainly it’s there – the tragedy and the drama – but it feels very assuming of me to associate myself with any given character in the show just like that.
And so Grimgar becomes a very personal montage that is highly relatable to. I still ranked Rakugo Shinjuu as the best anime for me last season, but I’ll admit – this was one damn fine show.
Great write up by the way! And thanks for making me watch it per your advice!
Glad you ended up enjoying the show! And yeah, that sounds like a fine analysis of the core emotional distinctions that make the two shows feel so different.