Wow, I just finished watching this show and I can confidently say that it exceeded my expectations. It deviates from the typical tropes of Isekai Anime and creates a unique experience. The writing, storytelling, and sound design are exceptional, elevating the entire project. First, the characters are diverse and dynamic, although some of the female characters in the Shadow Garden, villains, and those in encounters are poorly written. However, other characters have a depth of emotion that is rarely seen in other anime. The story follows a boy who dreams of becoming the Eminence in the Shadow. When he realizes that he cannot achieve his dreams in the real world, he comes up with a theory about magic and reincarnates himself into another world. The pacing of the show is quick, and there are moments when it becomes hard to follow, but it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment.
However, the world-building could have been better. The show only focuses on a few places, such as a building and a castle in a school, which are generic. There was not much exploration of the fantasy world, which could have been interesting.
The main character is the highlight of the show, with a complex personality that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. He is obsessed with becoming the Eminence in the Shadow, and his personality is an interesting study of pretension, trust, and relatability.
The sound design and soundtrack are some of the most creative aspects of the show. The producers utilized Beethoven songs to manipulate the mood of the scene, and it was impressive how it affected the characters' emotions. However, the animation quality is not the strongest point of the show. The studio had a limited budget, which resulted in the use of repeating cycles, but they were creative in using it to make the scenes more dynamic. Despite this, there are moments when the animation is poor, and it can be distracting.
In conclusion, the show is worth an eight out of ten. The engaging storyline and the absence of any bad episodes make it a must-watch. While the animation quality could be better, the sound design, characters, and world-building more than make up for it."
