![]() I can't help but wonder if the visual novel is any better at portraying the story. why is this here? Where is it trying to go? Why is it taking so long? The resulting story is something I would struggle to summarize to curious fans.It's a shame the plot direction is such a mess, because eventually, it comes to an exciting and satisfying conclusion with Yuji and the core villain. ![]() But the entire time, I just kept thinking. These types of elements will shock some viewers, and interest others. A handful of arcs last multiple episodes, without much relevance to the main plot: one big arc was a recollection of a "bus accident" that left a class of students stranded in the forest for days, playing out as a horror story akin to "Lord of the Flies." Sex isn't ignored in the show: an early episode shows one of the girls masterbating to Yuji's clothing for a significant amount of time, and another reference shows Yuji was "sexually active" before the age of 14, thanks in part to his mentor. frankly, "Grisaia" is a mess as an story. By comparison, Yuji is a one-man army, like a James Bond in a movie with several "Bond girls." That confusing lack of focus, mixing moments of light comedy, sexy fanservice, and incredibly dark and violent subject matter, as well as over-the-top story conclusions. all the while, the girls are mostly just background objects, fawning over Yuji after learning the truth about him, but unable to really do anything. In the sequel film and series, the plot focuses heavily on Yuji and his own past, as well as his mission to take down a major enemy. But ultimately, this is Yuji's story, secretly a trained mercanary planted at the school for a reason. The first season (13 episodes) takes it's sweet time to explore, and eventually resolve, whatever disorders or fears each girl has. There isn't really any fantasy element in play: it's best to imagine this as complex spy-thrller, given the pasts, accquaintances, skills and personalities of the cast. ![]() At first, it seems like a show entirely focused on the girls, each cute and with distinct hair colors, growing into the protagonist's personal romantic harem as he saves each of them. Who are these girls, and why are they here? The story abstract of "Grisaia" is a bit misleading. The school seems designed to keep them locked in, or perhaps to keep danger locked out. unique, each with some strange social quirk. Yuji Kazami is a mysterious transfer student, enrolling in the even more mysterious Mihama Academy, an all-girls' school that only has five students. Based on a sprawling series of visual novels, the first season of "The Fruit of Grisaia" opens as a mystery-psychological-romance. But a lack of focus or direction with the story betrays that ambition, making me feel wanting at the end, as well as slightly confused about what exactly I watched. Depending on your preferences for dark storylines, you might be won over. It IS incredibly ambitious, and that in itself makes it worth investigating. When taken as a whole, "The Fruit of Grisaia" series isn't particularly good. As expected, the "poor-man's" version of anything is bound to require some compromise on the viewer. Alternatively, "The Fruit of Grisaia" was released by Sentai Filmworks on DVD and Bluray, in sets that can be found at a standard price less than 1/3 Aniplex's rate, and when on sale, even cheaper. ![]() But in America, the episodes are released by Aniplex USA, requiring a premium penny should anyone want to own that show. "Bakemonogatari" is most certainly the more famous of the two series, with ongoing anime adaptations spanning over 10 years. Both (if greatly summarizing the premise) are about a male protagonist meeting a series of young women with a variety of psychological or supernatural problems, in need of a seemingly non-urgent but complicated and tense rescue. Both like to use an extreme wide-angle (2.39:1) for stylistic purposes. Genre: Action, Philosophy, Erotic, Romance, Mystery, ThrillerÄisclaimer: This review covers "The Fruit of Grisaia," as well as it's sequel double-length episode/film "The Labyrinth of Grisaia," and finale series "The Eden of Grisaia."When "The Fruit of Grisaia" was being broadcast in 2014, an easy way to describe it was "the poor-man's alternative to 'Bakemonogatari.'" Indeed, the two series share the same distinctive character designer, Akio Watanabe. Review of The Fruit of Grisaia, The Labyrinth of Grisaia, The Eden of Grisaia "2DAniCritic" Review: The Fruit of Grisaia, The Labyrinth of Grisaia, The Eden of Grisaia Review Score: 2.86 / 5.00
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