Megami "Isekai Tensei Nani ni Naritai desu ka" Ore "Yuusha no Rokkotsu de"

The rating is way off - this is a unique comedy that's highly imaginative with multiple visual styles that will both impress and amuse you!

What Is It?: A parody of every isekai you've ever seen, with a dash of variety show humor, slapstick, and "straight-man, funny-man" elements. It also has an unusual animation style that I came to be impressed by, blending "hand-drawn animation", paper dolls, claymation, live action, and other styles I don't know how to describe. (I thought I'd hate that, but by the end of the first episode, I got used to it, and by episode 5, I was looking ... forward to seeing the next one!) You'll experience unexpected surprises in each episode courtesy of the protagonist's ludicrous reincarnation choices and the different, supporting animation styles. I haven't seen anything this creative in the last couple of years, and I highly recommend it as a palate cleanser.

Watch If: You have at least some experience with, and preferably fondness for, isekai; you won't be offended by people making fun of the isekai genre; you are looking for a comedy; you want to experience something off the beaten track.

Skip If: You haven't seen many isekai or don't like the genre; you dislike mixed animation styles; you're looking for a show you binge-watch; you don't find absurdity amusing.

This is a hand-crafted Mixed Media project involving the use of various western and japanese art styles, claymation, live action, paper-mache, paper cutout and various stop-motion animation. Because of this, and because the artstyles are often deliberately ugly for exaggeration and ridiculousness, I understand why the anime community wouldn't particularly enjoy it when they came for. Well. Anime. That being said, I love the characters, the stories are fun, and I enjoyed expanding my understanding of art and watching what is obviously passion project by a dedicated team.

So, if you're looking for a standard isekai or traditional japanese anime, this is not for ... you. If you're a bit tired of everything feeling a bit repetitive and love goofy nonsensical humour, give this a go as a palate refresher for sure.

The honest truth is that I watch this anime despite it being silly and naive, featuring two extremely clichéd characters and highly questionable humor. Because that's not where this production shines; rather, it plays with the premise of isekai, currently exploited to exhaustion by the industry. After all, we have an anime about a person reincarnated as a vending machine. Compared to that, the scenarios explored here don't even sound so absurd.

I think the highlight, and what keeps me watching this anime, is the art direction. Each universe visited is produced with a very unique and daring style that truly leaves a mark on the ... viewer. The story may be a slapstick comedy without much substance, at least initially, although at times the absurdist humor really works and creates completely unexpected and funny situations; but the reality is that the plot is little more than a skeleton, an excuse for the experimental moments it provides.

Because of this, I can't recommend this series without reservations. It's definitely not for everyone. Actually, I dare say it's not for most. If you're looking for something that will grab your attention with engaging characters, this isn't for you. If you want an elaborate plot and a rich, detailed power system, this isn't for you. Now, if you just want a lighthearted distraction to brighten your day a little, a unique visual experience or an isekai with absurdist humor, welcome, you've found your very specific pot of gold.

This anime is fun, if you approach it honestly for what it is.