Definitely a Trigger Show
Last week I discussed how I finally found a Trigger show that I really enjoyed in Space Patrol Luluco. When I originally watched that series as it was airing I hadn’t gotten around to Kiznaiver yet and was pretty excited. Unfortunately, this was yet another Trigger show that didn’t do much for me.
The plot of this anime is about creating an ideal world where humanity perfectly understands each other and blah, blah, blah. How this is to be achieved is by doing this experiment with a group of 7 (technically) kids who are originally code named as the seven deadly sins. All of these kids are linked together so that they share each other’s pain. This eventually even includes emotional pain too.
Have I sold you on this one? Well that initial concept is pretty interesting but ultimately this ends up being a pretty boring melodrama. For those of you who are familiar with a show called Kokoro Connect, then you’ll know that Kiznaiver shares some similarities with some aspects of this prior title. I would just recommend Kokoro Connect over this, even without the final four OVA’s that would still be a better experience over this.
Furthermore, Kiznaiver feels like a bit of a rehash of older Gainax works but not in a good way. The ending is especially dull and derivative. I don’t want you guys to get the impression that I hated this show but I definitely didn’t love it. Parts of the show were fun and, as I mention, the initial concept is interesting. By the end, that just kind of gets abandoned and like many Trigger shows it just becomes so unfocused. I would say this isn’t as bad as Little Witch Academia but no where near the quality of say Kill la Kill.
The thing I probably liked the most about Kiznaiver is its opening theme, “LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME” by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES. You can actually listen to that song on Spotify but I’ll also link the video for that below here.
What did you think of Kiznaiver? Let me know in the comments bellow and if you agree with my alternate viewing recommendations. If you like the work I’m doing here than hit the button below to give me a couple bucks to keep at this. As always, thanks for reading and I hope to see you back here at Jon Spencer Reviews again soon!
Yeah, I definitely liked this show more for its soundtrack and aesthetically pleasing style than its story. Characters were alright, even if a little bland. But I totally agree with you there—if you only get one emotion-swapping teen melodrama, make Kokoro Connect the one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kokoro Connect is just so good! Happy to see people agreeing with that 🙂
LikeLike
I dropped this fairly early, and agree. I dropped this for similar reasons. When you say not as bad as little witch academia do you mean from a quality standpoint or a how focused the show is standpoint? I’m interested because I heard little witch was quite good and thought about watching it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you want my full thoughts on Little Witch I suggest reading my Anime ABC’s review which I’ll link here for you (it is also linked in the article): https://jonspencerreviews.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/anime-abcs-l-is-for-little-witch-academia/
I’m primarily talking from a focus standpoint. Kiznaiver had a better through line then Little Witch did. Quality wise Kiznaiver looks a bit better tbh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh ok. Thanks I’ll check it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good, hope you enjoy the read 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kokoro Connect definitely did wayyy better than Kiznaiver, and there was a lot more connection (pardon the pun) despite the characters not having linked emotions/bonds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, you get what I was getting at, and no need to apologize, pus are great! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was nice to make the abstract become physical, but I guess the saying “what’s essential is invisible to the eye” holds even more true!
Unfortunate for Kiznaiver~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh well, Trigger had a good run with Luluco for me at least. I just have to resign to the fact that a majority of their work isn’t for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you in that I love the opening song, think the concept initially is really interesting, but the overall anime just isn’t all that great because the narrative kind of doesn’t go anywhere with its interesting concept and ends up being teen melodrama. While it isn’t horrible, it isn’t anywhere near as interesting as it could have been.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite honestly…? That plot really seems very interesting to me. But then again I do always trust your judgement, and the fact that I still have to watch a ton of anime anyway, I will at least for now, not add it to my to watch list 😊 As always though fun review (that blah, blah,blah totally cracked me up 😂😂).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that it sounds really interesting on paper but it decides to give up on the core idea in favor of becoming about two characters in particular. Again, it’s not like this show is terrible, I just had a lot of issues with it that seem to be a running theme with Trigger shows.
I included the blah, blah, blah part because the plot doesn’t really matter XD It’s a character drama and everything is just a means to an end here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I understand 😊 But it really was a funny line, which is why I enjoyed it 😀
Well, I’m pretty much convinced to not check it out at this point! As I said, I always trust your judgement 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your faith in my opinion and am glad you enjoyed the read 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The idea that understanding other people would lead to a happy world is terribly naive…
I gave this show a chance to justify its stance, but I felt this show was kinda boring for the most part. It wasn’t especially painful to watch, but I didn’t really enjoy it much either…
In fact, I barely remember it outside of the OP, so maybe my perspective’s kinda useless.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was pretty forgettable. I don’t mind the idea of an ideal where perfect understanding leads to a utopian society but the show totally abandons that plot to become solely about 2 characters in particular.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe the best way to deliver themes is through the use of a narrow scope. As a character guy it could have worked if done right…
If the plot didn’t lose all credibility because the external conflict was dependent on the main characters. Characters should internalize the conflict, so why did they think it was a good idea for the conflict to externalize itself entirely in two characters? It really kills the societal appeal, if you know what I mean…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear ya.
LikeLiked by 1 person