Plot Summary:
In a world after death, angels fight for their fate and their future. Yuri, the leader of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, rebels against the god who destined her to have an unreasonable life. On the other hand, Tenshi, the chairperson of the student council for the world after death, battles against the SSS members. SSS members utilize armed weaponry to battle it out against the angels harnessing supernatural powers.
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Age Rating: PG-13 – Teens 13 or older
No. of Episodes: 13 episodes
Story
Plus: Solid work | Awesome & unpredictable plot | Mix of comedy and heart-warming drama |
Minus: Story pace is too fast | TOO SHORT | Wasted resources
First of all, before I start this review, I have to make clear of something. Angel Beats! is a cross media franchise, and it is best enjoyed by watching the anime and read the manga and novel. But since this is an anime review, I’ll just rate its anime version only. I have to admit that the main reason for me to follow this series is because of Maeda Jun. I’m a Key/Maeda fanboy. By the way I also did episode review for the series – link.
When they announced that Angel Beats! would be a 13 episodes series, I was hoping that they don’t repeat what they did to AIR. However, it’s Maeda Jun we’re talking about here, a single season is not enough to cover his plot. and so there goes…
The base of the story is very good and creative, especially with the use of purgatory concept. (Do google for more information about purgatory.) Others such as the characters and storyboarding are done nicely. I love how well the interaction between each episode. And as I mentioned, the main plot itself is great, and I love the drama of this show… it has caught me off guard a few times.. Awesome job done.
BUT, there’s one and only serious drawback of this series is the pacing. You see, they have great baseline such as the characters, story background and more.. they could easily make a 26 episode series with that, even 51 episode if they want to go detailed. Because they have to stuff everything into 13 episodes, they have to short-cut and discard… So, when I watch the series, I always have a kind of feeling – high speed story shift. Imagine a new enemy suddenly become a friend in 20 minutes.
Overall, this series could get higher point, it has all the needed pieces. BUT the story telling of the show, which is one crucial point for an anime, ruined everything… Sadly, I have to rate down it.
Plot – 10, Story details – 9, Story telling – 7.5, Value – 8.5
Points: 35/40
Animation
Studio: P.A. Works
Year: 2010 Spring
Type: Series
Plus: Awesome quality | mind blasting concert scene |
Minus: Minor flaws here and there |
In two words, eye candy, to describe this show’s animation quality.
P.A. Works has done an excellent job on this series. The animation quality is certainly one of the best I’ve ever seen in these few years. The artwork is brilliant especially with the characters and the surrounding environment. They also used a lot of CG in this show. Best of all is the concert scene.. You know.. Angel Beats! isn’t any musical themed anime.. however, their live scene is even better than those series’. Not to mention the level of details of the surrounding and minor objects, and the smoothness of the animation..
But still, there’s some flaws, as I noticed some inconsistencies in several episodes.. It can’t be helped..
Artwork – 9.5, Details – 9, Animation – 9.
Points: 27.5/30
Sound
Opening Theme(s):
- “My Soul, Your Beats!” by Lia (eps 1-3, 5-12)
- “My Soul, Your Beats!” by LiSA (ep 4)
Ending Theme(s):
- “Brave Song” by Tada Aoi (eps 1-9, 11-12)
- “Ichiban no Takaramono” by LiSA (ep 10)
- “Ichiban no Takaramono” by karuta (ep 13)
Insert Theme(s):
- “Crow Song” by Girls Dead Monster (marina) (ep 1)
- “Alchemy” by Girls Dead Monster (marina) (ep 3)
- “My Song” by Girls Dead Monster (marina) (ep 3)
- “Thousand Enemies” by Girls Dead Monster (LiSA) (ep 5)
- “Shine Days” by Girls Dead Monster LiSA (ep 10)
- “Ichiban no Takaramono” by LiSA (ep 10)
- “Ichiban no Takaramono” by karuta (ep 13)
Plus: Impressive theme songs | great composition of BGM | perfect use of BGM
Minus: Nothing obvious
There’s no doubt that the audio work is the best aspect of this series. The opening and ending theme song are great tunes especially the “Brave Song”. What not, there’s more insert theme songs performed by the fiction rock band in the series, Girls Dead Monster. While the soundtrack used throughout the show is simply amazing, plus the timing and the scene = perfect.
As for voice cast, the seiyuu has a great job. Nothing annoys and their voice fits the character. No complains here.
Theme songs – 6/6, Soundtrack – 8/8, Voice cast – 6/6.
Points: 20/20
Personal Rating
I had lots of expectations on this series because the story is by Maeda Jun..
But because of episode length restriction… sigh… Anyway, it still answer part of my expectations and somehow I enjoyed watching each episode.
Putting all those aside, I want to thank Maeda for making this series. The episode that I’ll always remember is the 9th episode… This episode is more than just about Otonashi’s memory and how he died.. It’s the moment he signed his organ donation card and everyone followed his action. Seriously, this anime made me feel ashamed…
We all will die someday, treasure every second of your life and don’t hesitate to give. So I’ve signed up as an organ donor too.
9.5/10
OVERALL POINTS
35 + 27.5 + 20 + 9.5 = 92points
92points, MASTERPIECE anime [24/07/2010]
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i watched also, really nice. unpredictable ending.
Thanks to Maeda Jun, we have stories about miracles, continuity, family & friendship. With Angel beats, we got life. For what the future holds, only time will tell or Maeda ^^
I truly loved this series. It will always have a special place within. The story was a bit too fast paced, it would have been better for them to turn it into a 26 episode season to mesh out the story arcs better.
The ending was a real surprise though >.<!
I wouldnt really agree about the 9.5/10
Angel beats did have some flaws and untold issue but too keep my review short… this simply had to be a 24+ episode series.
I’mg giving 9.5/10 personally because of the quality of the plot… but totally agree with you, they need more episodes for this kind of show.
cool i wanna watch this anime too.. thanks for all the good reviews :D
In Singapore, at the age of 21, you’re automatically signed up to be a donor when you’re dead/presumed dead.
Unless you opt out. i.e silence is consent.
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/legislations.aspx?id=1674
So if the anime didn’t move me too much LOL
I see, it really depends on the audience group.