Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid

In a nutshell, this is a softcore lesbian erotic anime. Its primary purpose is to arouse the audience; it has no other purpose. The plot serves as little more than a pretext for fanservice-laden fight scenes, hot girl interactions, and almost hentai situations. As this anime demonstrates, "softcore" anime may more frequently afford much better production standards than true hentai anime, which is often stuck with very modest budgets. Personally, I would much prefer see a softcore show with respectable production values than "hardcore" OVAs made from scratch.

As I mentioned before, the action scenes' "Soul Eater, but with orgasms" idea and the tale of a group of girls being stuck on an island are all really just excuses for boobs and yuri, and the characters are mostly there to satisfy particular fetishes. Both the "plot" and the portrayal perform admirably in that aspect.

The explicit scenes tend to look fairly decent, and the character designs are undoubtedly the nicest and most appealing of all the Valkyrie Drive projects. The visuals are pretty nice, however occasionally there is a noticeable lack of polish. Despite not being especially distinctive, they manage to be quite elegant and appealing and have their own distinct appearance and feel, all without the usual VN-esque cheapness frequently found in such anime. The series succeeds in having many truly sensual situations, and the animation is done pretty nicely when it matters.

There's nothing wrong with the sound design; the music and the VA cast both perform admirably, and the required groans are used to good use.

I loved this series in the most ridiculous manner possible because I love well-executed filthy yuri, and considering its goals, that was really all I needed.

Let me just get this out of the way first - this is a porno. This is a softcore lesbian porno made specifically just to arouse the viewer. It is filled with a lot of yuri fanservice. It is heavily filled with a lot of fetish-fuel. You like big breasts? This anime's got 'em. You like yuri? The anime's got it. You like yuri boob smothering? Look no further. This anime tries to get every fetish out of the way. Even bondage has got you covered. So anything with girl-on-girl you will pretty much find in this anime. The story primarily exists just to allow all these fetish fuel to happen.

Now that that's out of the way, what exactly IS the story? Well, basically our main protagonist Mamori Tokonome, a sweet and innocent yet naive young girl, arrives on an island called Mermaid after the outside world discovers she has special abilities. Upon arriving on this island, which is populated by only women, she meets another transfer named Mirei Shikishima, who tries to protect Mamori with her life. Mamori also learns that this island is filled with women with special abilities. Basically, they need to get sexually stimulated in order to use their powers. We have two different types of those - the Liberator and the Ecsta. The Liberator is the warrior and the Ecsta is the one who needs to get turned on in order to turn into a weapon. It's a weird anime. So after being attacked, Mirei saved Mamori and tries everything in her power to protect her. Will they ever get off the island? Watch to find out.

So what do I think of the story? Well, as I said, the story exists ONLY to allow those fetishes to happen. Exactly like in a porn, the plot only exists to get the actors to have sex.

What do I think of the characters? Well, considering this is an anime, there would have to be a lot of character development involved so we could actually care about them. Mamori is cute and likable enough. Mirei is a badass and also revealed to be quite a softie inside. Other characters like Mei Fon Sakura, Kasumi Shigure, Torino Kazami, Rain and Lady J are also good enough characters. The villains such as Charlotte Scherzen and Rain Hasumi are also good enough villains for the plot to exist.

What do I think of the animation and art style? Well, the animation is nice enough and the art-style is what can be expected. Since this is an anime and not a cheaply made hentai, of course it's going to have a higher budget. The action scenes are also not that bad to look at.

So finally, what is my opinion? Well, as I said, this is a porno. If you're looking to get turned on by yuri, this anime has got you covered and is perfect for you. If you're looking for an anime with a great plot, you may be disappointed. I personally don't mind the plot but even I will admit that it's really mediocre. Still, I recommend this to anyone who loves yuri.

I watched this show for the first time, and I was like, wow. I did not expect some lesbian women on the show. But you know what, I was like, I'm very straight with women, and I do love women, so I just decided to watch "Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid" and it was alright. Cause I'm like Chris Tucker, when he loves Mushu... and I love mushu :)

Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid is an anime that truly deserves a 10/10. It's one of those series that might not have received as much attention as others, but once you watch it, you realize just how special it is. The concept alone sets it apart from many other shows-characters who transform into powerful weapons when they form deep emotional bonds with someone. This adds a unique twist to the action and makes the fight scenes much more meaningful. It's not just about fighting for the sake of it; every battle has emotional weight behind it, and that makes the show stand out.

The characters are the heart of the show. Mirei and Mamori have such a strong, beautiful bond that drives the entire story. Mirei is fierce and confident, while Mamori starts off more shy and timid. Their relationship evolves throughout the series, and watching their growth as individuals and as a pair is so satisfying. Their dynamic is truly heartwarming, and their trust in each other makes you root for them with every episode. As they face challenges, you can see their emotions and how they struggle to protect each other. It's one of the reasons the show feels so genuine and emotionally engaging.

The animation and action scenes are also a huge highlight. The fight choreography is fast, exciting, and visually stunning, with smooth transitions and dynamic movements. The colorful, vibrant art style adds to the overall appeal, making each scene visually captivating. The action never feels repetitive; each fight is unique, and the stakes always feel high because of the characters' emotional connections to the battles.

But what really makes Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid exceptional is the balance between action and emotion. While there are intense, high-energy fight scenes, the show takes its time to explore the characters' feelings, struggles, and growth. The emotional depth in the series makes you care about the characters, and you feel every victory and defeat with them. It's a rare combination of excitement and emotional depth, and it's done in such a way that you don't want to skip any part of the story.

One of the main reasons I give this anime a 10/10 is the potential it has. The world-building, the characters, and the concept are so rich, and you can tell there's so much more to explore in this universe. Unfortunately, the anime only has one season, and it leaves you wanting more. There's so much more to know about the other islands and the characters' backstories. You can't help but wish that the series had a second season to continue the story and explore all the untapped potential.

Overall, Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid is an anime that blends action, emotional depth, and a unique story in a way that very few anime do. The characters feel real and relatable, the fight scenes are thrilling, and the emotional journey is truly touching. It's a show that sticks with you long after you've finished watching it. I can only hope that more people discover this anime and that it gets the recognition it deserves. If you enjoy shows that combine strong characters, intense action, and heartfelt moments, this one is a must-watch. It's a 10/10, without a doubt.

The environments along with the characters are all drawn so well. Every scene is like a work of art. The two main characters are easily my favorite in any fan service anime.

If I explained the story to you it wouldnt make sense, but somehow they make it really engaging by having fun with it. The voice acting is also top notch.

These guys need to do more stuff. They did a great job with this one. Ignore the haters.