Jeoffrey

I was expecting much more from Mr. Slave than the average plot that every other anime about special academies seems to churn out, mixed with elements reminiscent of Arancar's arc from Bleach... Unfortunately, the not-so-well-done 3DCG animation sticks out like a sore thumb. The studio didn't even bother to mask it as 2D to blend it into the environment as Ishura did so well this year. It's not a pleasant sight, especially during the fight scenes, which lack the impact they should have had. To make matters worse, Chained Soldier falls short even in areas where it should excel, such as the S-M and ecchi elements with Utena yearning for magical girls. This aspect of the anime feels lackluster compared to others that have tackled similar themes, lacking the inventiveness, boldness, and entertainment value. So, the eroticism here is quite mid, the fights are mid (visually below average, action and choreography average at best, effects merely average), and the story follows suit. Are there any redeeming qualities? The characters are fairly decent, including our titular Mr. Slave. However, even with this, the series doesn't earn more than a 5.1/10 from me.

The tale of Rentt Faina, to put it simply, falls under the category of "okay but not great". I do appreciate the storytelling style it employs, gradually unfolding the narrative while showcasing the evolution of the main character and shedding light on the workings of the local hero association. Everything seems to flow naturally and logically, with the protagonist undergoing slow but understandable changes, rooted in clear motivations. This anime isn't bad by any means, and the only aspect that didn't quite resonate with me was the opening, although that's easily skippable. However, the series failed to fully captivate me; it kept my interest on a surface level. Despite presenting several relatively intriguing storylines, it didn't quite sell them to me in a way that left me yearning for more or contemplating them afterward. Similarly, my connection to the main character and most supporting characters remained superficial — they were, as I mentioned, "okay but not great" in my book. Reflecting on what the series lacked, perhaps more action or emotionally resonant storylines could have made a difference. I wished for something more, something that would evoke a deeper emotional response, beyond what I felt during the finale... Unfortunately, that depth was missing for me this time. It's also worth noting that I inevitably compared it a bit to a certain fantasy series, which aired this season on Fridays. This might have influenced my perspective. So, in the end, I'll settle on "only" 6/10.

Die, die, die, and you too, die! If I had a shot for every "shine" from the hero this season, my liver wouldn't make it to spring. What's even more disheartening is that none of those "die" moments carry even half the weight and power as when Frieren ordered Aura to kill herself. But that's not what bothers me, nor the fact that the hero is so ridiculously OP that you don't even fear for him for a second – as Anos Voldigoad or Cid Kagenó have shown, there's still work to be done with that. What also doesn't bother me is the fact that the series is an incredible mishmash of everything possible and impossible. Trying to follow any coherent story amidst all this clutter isn't easy. Fortunately, the main storyline isn't too complicated. This whole thing is a crazy mix of various ideas and twists. On the other hand, it's funny in its own way. Here, you truly don't know what you'll get in the next episode, minute, or second – there's only one rule: if you even think of slightly upsetting the hero, you die! And the hero kills anyone and anything; imagination knows no bounds. I appreciate originality, so I could forgive the below-average animation. But there's something that made this series hell on earth for me. There aren't just one, but two of the most annoying characters I had to endure this season! I'm sorry, but the protagonist's ancestor and the chubby classmate with Hiro Shimono's voice ruined any positive impression and dragged the whole experience down to below-average waters. Almost everyone was dying, but I had to put up with these two until the end. The whole torment seemed to be intended as a comedic element, which killed everything for me, even the desire for a potential next season (where both would likely return). For me, 4/10. Die Danoura Mokomoko, and die Daimon Hanakawa!