Jeoffrey

I'd say director Yuichi Abe (who also served as the action director) either really loves this novel (or maybe just the maid Sylpha) or was just determined to impress. The dynamic, breathtaking, and beautifully choreographed action sequences featuring the maid/swordswoman were incredible. The training scene with Lloyd was jaw-dropping, and episode ten, with the camera circling Sylpha gracefully before a stunningly edited fight scene, was so good I had to watch it a few times. The magical battles were epic too, especially the showdown between Lloyd and the transformed Jade. The visual effects were impressive. It wasn't just the fights that grabbed me; the main character, Lloyd, was intriguing in his own way. Is he mentally unstable? Maybe, but more like someone obsessively in love with magic to the point of self-harm. But he wasn't annoyingly flawed; in fact, in crucial moments, I found him quite likable. His quirky personality felt refreshing. The story was engaging, and I didn’t mind Lloyd turning the first defeated demon into his satanic Paimon. Certain parts of the plot struck the right emotional chords, especially the final arc with the "assassin guild" which worked for me in its serious aspect. What didn’t work for me was the humor — often childish and sometimes downright silly with the chibi animations. It rarely made me laugh and disrupted the overall tone of the show. Another issue is the weird fanservice around Lloyd. Considering he's 10 years old, the maid's unhealthy obsession with him was uncomfortable. One last positive note: despite Lloyd being absurdly overpowered, the final battle made me worry for him at times, thanks to the well-crafted "final boss." Overall, I'd give it a 6.4/10.

A 6/10 rating seems fair for this one. The production values, especially the animation, are at best mediocre. This is particularly evident in the fight scenes, which lack impact, with stiff character movements and unimpressive effects. The biggest problem, though, is the pacing. The story feels sterile and much less engaging than it could be, with too much telling and not enough showing. The leveling system is poorly explained; while it's clear the hero gains new abilities by consuming enemies, the way these abilities are presented feels like a bland list, and during battles, it's hard to tell which skill or combination is being used. The manga handles these aspects much better, offering clearer and more detailed explanations. The anime, on the other hand, often resorts to brief comments. Character development and relationships also suffer. Many characters are complex, and it’s interesting to see how the hero’s harem evolves from basic survival instincts to a mix of biological urges and eventually some romantic feelings. But let’s focus on what Re:Monster does well. Any story where the protagonist isn’t a generic human earns points from me, and starting as a goblin is a unique twist. The main character is likable, engaging, and easy to root for. There are a few other interesting characters, both within and outside his harem. I also enjoy the day-by-day, almost diary-like storytelling approach. The variety of species and the rules governing their evolution are well done, as is the gradual development of the hero’s party and his position in the world. However, I wasn’t thrilled with the later direction of the story, especially the princess transport subplot and the decision to become mercenaries. I would have preferred more focus on building a diverse monster society and interacting with surrounding nations, similar to what Rimuru does. Lastly, the opening song was terrible — one of the worst I’ve heard this season (I skipped it from episode two onward). This show has potential, with several original aspects that make it worth checking out, but for a better experience, I’d recommend the manga, which I’d rate around 7.5/10 based on what I’ve seen.

"Grandpa, they said on TV that Japan has a birth rate problem, and people don't want to start families!" "That's a shame, Grandma. It's time to show everyone true family values!" "You're right, Grandpa. We have grandchildren. We must set an example and show them that true love lasts a lifetime." "Exactly, Grandma, and maybe give them a little push!" "Grandpa, did you hear? Young people are moving away from the countryside!" "That's sad, Grandma. There's nothing better than a peaceful life in the country." "You're right, Grandpa. Who will grow apples if we don't? It's up to us to show everyone the joy of caring for an orchard!" "Good thing we're so spry for our age, Grandma. We need to show the young folks that old people are cool!" "Look, Grandpa, do you see that golden apple over there?" If I took a shot every time they said "jiisama" or "baasama," my Sundays would be pretty wild, and I probably wouldn't make it to old age. I get what the show was trying to tell me — respect the elderly for their wisdom, find a spouse, start a family, move to the countryside, and grow apples! I almost wanted to check our apple trees for golden apples and dreamed of being twenty years younger — but the frost ruined this year's harvest... The problem is, with how much the show pushed these ideas (almost like some agricultural propaganda or a pro-birthrate ad), I couldn't relax and just enjoy it. I love these fateful romances and admire swans for their lifelong partnerships. I even remember the story of Philemon and Baucis, who had a lot in common with our grandma and grandpa. But here, I just couldn't buy into the atmosphere. It felt too forced. Whether it was propaganda or not, I have to say the animation wasn't great. It was just enough to hold together, but no one bothered with details. The focus was on the message, not the form. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this story much. Maybe I saw something that wasn't there, but overall, the series didn't convince me. I'm not planning to start a family, I already respect the elderly, and I'll leave large-scale apple farming to others. I’m happy with just a few apples from my garden for a pie... 4.8/10.