Steins;Gate anime review

STEINS;GATE

(WARNING: There will be spoilers in this review.)

When you think about it, Mayuuri is actually a pretty relatable character. I mean, we all head that period where we were obsessed with those toy vending machines. 

So, I've got to admit something. I've never seen a perfect anime. Let alone, a time travel story without plot holes. So, when my friends wouldn't stop recommending a little show called Steins;Gate to me (Yes, there has to be a semi-colon), I was hesitant, and my expectations were considerably low. So, lo and behold, consider my shock when it turned out to be one of the best shows I've ever seen. It's not perfect, but strengths throw the flaws off a freaking cliff, hit them with a car, and pushes them in front of a mutha-!@#$ing bullet train. The story follows a self-proclaimed mad scientist, Okabe Rintarou, or as he prefers to call himself, HOUNIN KYOUMA (which must be shouted out like a retard) as he and his "lab crew" unlock the secrets of time travel. Now, the plot doesn't really heat up until about episode 12, and to be fair, it's really more of a sci-fi slice of life show with some  mystery elements. During those first couple of episodes, the show relies mostly on its characters, but it moves slower than a dead snail in molasses. But in episode 12, the show's genre completely changes into a frantic thriller with some sci-fi elements. The only time the show really didn't snap for me was in about episodes 18-21 or so, where it feels more like  a harem, where Okabe gets his one on one time with each of the 4 female supporting characters. However, even then, the show seems to keep pulling an endless amount of twists and turns from it's seemingly bottomless bag of surprises. Sometimes, it will even keep you emotionally engaged in scenes (See: Azusa's episode). Another thing the show has going for it, is the time travel. Not only is the element used to great effect, but it does its best to steer clear of plot holes (get it, plot holes?), and even uses some real world science such as SERN, John Titor, and stuff about texting a phone that's attached to a microwave. 

Okabe, despite being an ass, and sometimes even a dick, is a surprisingly likable protagonist. He's flawed, but he has a lot of like. Sort of like a tsundere. Or, I guess he techinically is one. While Mayuuri plays a huge role in the show's intense second act, I never really warmed up to her. I liked her as a character, but I was never completely emotionally attached to her. Sadly, for me, Daru is one of the show's most relatable characters. He's somewhat of a lady's man trapped in a fat guy's body. The rest of the supporting cast are memorable characters, like the humanized Nyan Cat, Azusa, the creepy ass Moeka, and Ruka. The less said about her, the better. However, the best character in the show, the one that you really have no choice but to like, is Kurisu. She's like a cross between Sarah Conner and Sam Rockwell's character from Pacific Rim. She has a badass attitude, is likable, and has an intense dedication to SCIENCE! 

The soundtrack for Steins;Gate is decent enough, but there aren't that many tracks that stand out, with the exception of one (which I'll get to in a bit). Each song does fit the scene, but you won't be humming them uncontrollably, like say, the Air or Chobits theme, or the ending theme for Clannad.

The animation is decent enough, while it's  nothing special, it really stands out during the more frantic scenes, especially during a very intense scene where the style suddenly roughened up, and the coloring went white. But where the animation really shines, is in the opening. By God, it's just awesome. From the subtle foreshadowing, and that freaking song (Hacking to the Gate by Itou Kano, freaking ear candy)...

Now, for the ending. The ending is Steins;Gate's biggest strength. Or I should say, strengths. The series at first glance ends on a satisfying, albeit, depressing note, with Makise's death, and it's one of the most effective endings I've ever seen. And then, there's the shows true ending, a short two episode arc involving more John Titor, and future Okabe. Not only does it throw us a curveball, that reunites us with Kurisu, it doesn't feel forced, and is very  smooth. 

Steins;Gate is one of the best animes I've ever seen. While it has it's flaws, they're easy to look past considering the show's intriguing story and characters. This is time travel done RIGHT.

STORY: 4.5/5

+ A very effective and nail-biting second act

+ The best use of time travel in almost any story I've seen lately

- The first few episodes are slow, but still entertaining

- Towards the end, a few weak episodes

CHARACTERS: 4.75/5

+ Okabe makes for a great main character

+ A good supporting cast

+ Makise Kurisu is one of my favorite anime characters

- You won't get attached to Mayuuri

SOUND: 4/5

+ Not bad

+ Always fits the scene

+ DAT OPENING
- For the most part, none of the tracks are anything special

ANIMATION: 4.5/5

+ Good, clear animation

+  Frantic and scratchy when it needs to be

ENDING: 5/5

+ Well done and effective

VERDICT: 4.75/5