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Where do I start with this? At the time of writing, I'm convinced this is one of the best premiere episodes of new anime this Summer season.

Everything from its sense of humor, its commentary on unhealthy Japanese work life, to the production side of things like the use of jump cuts, the transition from muted to warm colors, and its stylistic approach to a zombie apocalypse, this episode was just perfect.

Really want to highlight the use of colors in this episode to emphasize how ecstatic Akira felt after being free from work, creating this hilarious juxtaposition that works so well to sell you on the premise.

Legit had me searching for the staff involved in the show. Wowzers. Seeing as the staff involved in the show are from the people behind Komi Can't Communicate and Summer Time Render, I have high hopes that it'll stay consistent in terms of its production values.

Akudama Drive is a dystopian, cyberpunk rollercoaster ride of hype, excitement, and edginess that raises its stakes every episode that either adds to the enjoyment or irritation while watching, depending on what kind of entertainment viewers enjoy the most.

Don't expect a drama story that sticks with you because of how it deeply impacted your emotions, because the story in this anime is fairly straight-forward. It's basically what a cyberpunk version of Suicide Squad is, except if Suicide Squad itself was actually a good movie in the first place. You get a bunch of criminals, make them a team whether they like it or not, and assign them a mission that can only be done as a team, forcing them to cooperate with each other through their unique special set of skills. Where this anime kind of diverts from Suicide Squad is with the main character, Swindler, an innocent bystander who is forced to join the team of criminals called the "Akudama." Along the way, we get to see twists and turns, crazy fights, and high-octane action that is surprisingly decently written for the most part but kind of falls a little when approaching the end, which could be expected from a series that already has a chaotic premise and of course, its crazy cast of characters.

It is near impossible to talk about this series without talking about its main "driving" point: its characters. If you're here to expect relatable characters that undergo dramatic character development that turns their lives around, then you, the viewer, might as well be the one to turn around and stay away as you're not going to find that much substance with the characters here in this anime, as most of the time, they are just characters that start off as one or two-dimensional shells that are unlikeable, which I find to be a double-edged sword in this case. On one hand, they do develop overtime, but not as deep as you might expect. On the other hand, their characters at times kind of feel lacking by the time they get the spotlight in specific episodes. Regarding the villains, they are also just doing "bad guys doing bad guy things" for the most part, except for some that do get some characterization to at least make them stand out. In short, the characters are exactly what you might expect from a series as chaotic as this, which can simultaneously be a good thing and a bad thing.

While the anime's characters certainly aren't all that amazing, I couldn't say the same for its art. Studio Pierrot, good job on you, as this anime really does capture the vibe of what a cyberpunk dystopia is. Its character design and animation is phenomenal and I feel that Studio Pierrot really outdone themselves with this anime, which makes me ask how do they pull this off while juggling two long-running series at the same time. Its music also does its job well as it helps set up the "aesthetically brutal" world that the characters are in. I'd say the production in this anime is pretty great and if the aim was to create this feeling of a dark, technology-driven world, they certainly pulled it off well.

In summary, Akudama Drive is surprisingly good for its premise that I would consider to be risky, but it certainly delivered on its strong points while still having flaws that don't really affect the overall enjoyment of the show. If you want a "turn off your brain while watching (for the most part)" kind of anime, this is definitely it. Otherwise, just skip it. (7.5/10)

Ikebukuro West Gate Park is a strange beast. On one hand, it explores serious real-world issues like racism, but on the other hand, it attempts to fit those conflicts and tell episodic stories with its diverse cast of characters that can sometimes hit home greatly, or miss by a long shot.

Story-wise, IWGP is an interesting take on the "gang" genre. The main character gets involved with different kinds of conflicts and attempts to resolve them without using forceful methods for the most part, but occasionally seeks help from his friend, who is the leader of a gang, to help him out when things aren't smooth-sailing. These conflicts are certainly great choices to tell multiple stories that happen in Ikebukuro, but there are times where it feels as if the episodes that tackle some of these conflicts feel like they are lacking the extra punch or "oomph" to really give viewers an impact that will be felt long after the ED plays, save for a few that are actually pretty solid because it does have that extra punch like the two-episode arcs.

On the positive side, IWGP's characters feel grounded to reality, which makes sense as this anime basically is grounded too. Their experiences in life mostly revolve around the conflicts that the episode tackles, which is a good way to set up the mood of the episode. While on the topic of characters, the main character, Makoto, fights for justice and will use any means necessary so long as violence is avoided for the most part. Aside from that, he also empathizes with those who seek help from him and help them out to make Ikebukuro a better place. Of course, there are characters that are one-dimensional, but they are mostly just there for the plot and are unimportant for the most part. One drawback, however, is that I don't really feel interested or invested with some of the characters, but for most of the time, they manage to keep my interest.

Moving on to its art and music, it's certainly not bad. Its minimalistic take on its character designs reminds me of another anime from this year from Doga Kobo, which is Sing "Yesterday" for Me. Speaking of Sing "Yesterday", IWGP is kind of similar to it in a way that it doesn't really use too much music aside from a few scenes, which makes me more focused with its dialogue and what's happening on the screen. Now while all these things sound positive, I think that overall, there is really nothing to write home about with IWGP in terms of art and music, as I think it doesn't really make enough effort in order for it to at least let its art and music stick with me.

In conclusion, Ikebukuro West Gate Park is neither a great nor bad show. It is simply an "okay" show from Doga Kobo, and here's to hoping that they manage to produce great shows in the future. Would I recommend it? If you have the patience, I'd say go for it, as there are certainly aspects of the show where I can see people enjoy it, but if you don't have the patience, it would be in your best interest to skip it, as you are not really missing out on a ton. (6.2/10)