Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
Source: Multimedia Project (created alongside a card game)
Episode Summary: In Neo Kyoto, one’s place in the world is ruled by the game Build Divide and by the King who sits atop it all, there to grant the wildest wishes of the top players. A mysterious young man named Teruto meets a young woman named Sakura in an alley after she’s attacked by a wandering thug. Teruto seems to have possession of a set of Build Divide cards but has no idea where he got them or why.
Curious, Sakura challenges Teruto to a match, explaining the rules of the game as they play. But fragments of memories remain in Teruto’s mind and he suddenly recalls the true depth of the power he wields in his own two hands. As he defeats Sakura, she decides to put all her faith into his ability to usurp the King. But the King may be prepared for his return.
Impressions: I truly believe that there’s an audience for every anime series out there, and when something isn’t quite vibing with me I like to try to imagine who might be enjoying it. This episode starts off with some pretty decent visual set-building and has an appealing soundtrack, so I imagine if I were a newer anime fan who hadn’t been exposed to very many anime game tie-ins, I might be more able to overlook the fact that the majority of the episode involves the characters literally vocalizing the rules of the associated card game. But as it stands, I’m me and it’s right now, and I feel like I could sense my spirit leaving by body and my eyes glazing over with every new line of dialog.
This will probably sound strange to most, but I actually have some trauma surrounding games and gaming. Any scenario that requires the player to lie or manipulate others, or even bargain with them for resources, causes my anxiety to skyrocket (the person who tried to teach me Catan also decided to play as ruthlessly as they would against their much more experienced friends). I also have what I’ve come to understand is a pretty intense desire to avoid rule-breaking behavior, and I’ve been told that I’m too nice to people. All that to say that I don’t really enjoy series where the point is for one character to game another into oblivion (though I also really love Kakegurui, Kaiji, and similar series, so I suppose there are exceptions to every rule). I think what mostly upsets me is complicated rule-sets and people whose knowledge of those rules allows them an unfair advantage that they, well, take advantage of. It just distances me from the narrative and the characters begin to feel very unsympathetic.
I do know some folks who are nerds for learning rule-sets, who love Magic: The Gathering, and who might just be a little more mentally-free and able to enjoy what this series has to offer. I wish that it had been less laser-focused on jargon and rules, because small parts of the episode were cool. But that’s just how it goes, I suppose.
Pros: As I touched on earlier, the soundtrack for this episode is really great. The musical themes that play over the more intense parts of the battle lend the scenes a very mysterious tone that makes what the characters are doing feel more dangerous and magical as opposed to simply mechanical and without actual consequences.
Cons: Aside from the entire recitation of the rules, the protagonist, Teruto, is just entirely uncharismatic. The series tries to establish him as having a somewhat child-like air; when the street thug ruins his bear-shaped cream bun it’s sort of laughably tragic. And then he just literally kills the guy in retaliation. Yikes! Beyond that, he has really zero personality until he starts getting into the card battle, and then he musters up a really strong evil asshole energy that I didn’t enjoy.
Content Warnings: Murder (bloodless). Fantasy violence.
Would I Watch More? – I’m always on the lookout for anime I can enjoy from genres I’m not normally a fan of, but I don’t think that this will be the card game anime that breaks the long losing streak I have with them.