Information:
Other Names: PSO2 The Animation, ファンタシースターオンライン２ ジ アニメーション.
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Writer: Mitsutaka Hirota
Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Music: Takashi Ohmama
Type: TV Series, Game Adaptation
Length: 12 Episodes, 24 min per episode approx
Genres: Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13
Air Dates: 8th January 2016 - 25th March 2016
Alternate Recommendations: "Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?" & "Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation".
(Source: MAL & Wikipedia)
Synopsis:
TV anime adaptation of the online RPG game Phantasy Star Online 2. It will feature an original story that takes place on Earth in the near future. (Source: MAL)
Review:
What usually happens when games are given anime adaptations?
Most get set in the world that the game takes place and will try to turn that
game’s story into the anime’s plot. Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2) does not do
this instead it goes for a Slice of Life approach, where characters play a
game, that game being PSO2 and then try to link the two worlds together. But does
this work? Yes and no.
The first thing that will probably interest you with this anime is its story & setting which take an interesting turn from the usual way this adaptations are handled. The setting is primarily set in high school, because you know if it’s not set in a fantasy world where else could it possibly be set, and follows the story of Itsuki Tachibana a teenage high schooler who is forced into the student council in order to play PSO2 for them, to promote that it doesn't cause bad behaviour/grades. For the reasons he is chosen, it is never explained but moving on eventually he becomes okay at the game after too many episodes, gets better at the game and gains a friend.
The first thing that will probably interest you with this anime is its story & setting which take an interesting turn from the usual way this adaptations are handled. The setting is primarily set in high school, because you know if it’s not set in a fantasy world where else could it possibly be set, and follows the story of Itsuki Tachibana a teenage high schooler who is forced into the student council in order to play PSO2 for them, to promote that it doesn't cause bad behaviour/grades. For the reasons he is chosen, it is never explained but moving on eventually he becomes okay at the game after too many episodes, gets better at the game and gains a friend.
Later he meets a Aika Suzuki the
mysterious transfer student who takes PSO2 too seriously and behaves as if it
was real. From here onwards the “real” story begins, with an interesting idea
but overall becomes a generic Shounen action series that could have become much
more than it was, feeling more like an advertisement for the game, rather than
a TV series. Not to mention the ending sequence which was just boring, similar
to the romance sub-plot element within the plot, that ultimately goes nowhere
after twelve episodes of build-up.
But wait it doesn't end there because you know what
important in any Television Series: Characters. Guess what, it doesn't really
have any characters, well at least not any good ones save for a handful. Starting
with the main cast, there is main character Itsuki, mentioned above, our generic
male lead who is both dense and really good at the game PSO2, despite being a
beginner, sound familiar it should do. Next is the two female leads, first Rina
the main love interest and student council president-senpai, and then finally
there is Suzuki, the mystery student for exhibits very little emotion, yes you
have seen this all before.
The supporting characters are more promising, have a greater
range of personalities though some exceed more than others, even going through
some development that the main cast surely lacked. As for designs of the
characters, there real world appearances were nothing special, having a very
boring look to them, however their designs that set in the game are much appreciated
with a wide range of looks and designs that make them all look more unique,
with exception of Itsuki who still looks as boring in the game as he does in
real life.
Following on from this the art is nothing to outstanding
being very plain and simple, while the animation is decent is fight scenes and
normal interactions, however the monsters (darkers) are done in 3D and oh man,
do they look bad like really bad, to the point where it gets distracting as the
show progresses.
On a final note the soundtrack is nothing special, and is
too be expected of the type of show it is with no tracks that stood out to me,
which can also be said for the opening. However I found ending song to be
catchy and fun to watch, especially with the fun animation that goes alongside
it.
In conclusion, this was a decent attempt on a different type of game adaptation but it still fell flat on its back with all the rest. I can only recommend this too people who want a decent little show that can be fun if you switch off your brain.
Setting/Story: 6.5
Characters: 6.3
Art/Animation: 5.2
Sound: 6.2
Final Verdict: 5.9/10 (Average)
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