Moonrise

Man, it's way too hectic, shaky, confused and jumbled.

The animations, drawings, effects and story are actually great and I really, really hoped that something really good was coming.

But apart from the sometimes funny elements, the very nice, different characters and the great setting, at some point I was just annoyed by the chaotic narrative style. And by the hectic, shaky, wild, and bad fighting scenes.

Once again, someone hasn't understood how to build a narrative. And I can only recommend everyone to take a look at Arcane, Frieren or even Apothecary Diaries by comparison. A world of difference, albeit in very different settings, but that doesn't change how you should approach a story.

I'm now on episode 4 and as it hasn't got any better up to this point, I assume that it will stay that way.

If not, I will adjust my rating of 6 points up or down accordingly after the series is finished.

This series has so much potential! It's a real shame.

The pacing and the way this story is produced is nothing short of frustrating.

Half the time you don't know what is going on or how you are supposed to feel.

This isn't a story unfolds type situation more a jumping back and forth with terrible plot connection. I'm all for a show that initially shows you a peak into what the future has to offer but for this it makes absolutely no sense and adds nothing to the story.

Even the weaponry & the characters talents & why they have been picked for the mission has massive holes in it.

The only reason I have it a 6 is the animation is fantastic & I feel for a team who put the heart & soul into this only for the sitting & story to let them down so very very badly.

Great animation and overall it's a pretty decent anime with some cool characters and epic fight scenes, however that is all that's going for it. The story is mediocre and leaves many things unexplained. The plot doesn't really make any sense and the worldbuilding and pacing is dissapointing. The soundtrack is good but not very memorable, and the action overall in the anime ends quickly. Many characters are not explored enough and feel that they are only there just to be there.

Overall, its a decent anime if you want to watch a short season with cool fight scenes and great animation, but dissapointing considering the production that went into this anime.

The animation and visuals are stellar. And I will forgive A LOT when I finally find a show with sharp animation.

I don't know if I will go as far as saying the show's story is a mess. It does, however, seem only to exist to create cool visuals. There is some pretense at an overall plot and given AoT I though there might be a bigger mystery revealed but so far it seems that the pretense is as far as it goes.

I think it might have worked for previous generations. It's technically serial but the badguy of the week without much else feels highly like the episodic stuff most of society has shifted away from. Not great for an overall story.

The characters are also highly annoying over and above thy typical constant drama and dysfunctional emotional regulation that is such a ubiquitous part of anime that I have to overlook it or I would have very little anime to watch. However, along with this is the animation shifts that feel totally out of place in a show that looks this solid in animation and takes itself so seriously. It would be like Castlevania doing Chibi.

But what really kills this is the exposition. I tried to shift over to the sub but it isn't any better. It's so bad it feels more like they are breaking the fourth wall to talk to us instead of each other. Like it's forcing you to have it on in the background, half-ignored. If you sit down and give it your full attention it is intolerable.

It's really unfortunate that a show that looks this great doesn't have anything else going for it but I guess thats the way it is.

Title says it all really.

WITStudio truly did some outstanding work in the production from animation to music. The setting is fascinating. The action sets are intense and well choreographed. The animation is vibrant, colorful, and impactful. The musical score accentuates both those things... But the story and the writing are painful average with a major issue in pacing.

I'm sure you'll see other reviews eating this a 10/10 and denying "the hate" but it's copium. As harsh as this may sound, to all those who rated this 10, all I can respond with is "Baby's first sci-fi?"

You'll see those reviews say it explores themes of grief and loyalty... If by "explore" they mean "present" then sure... but let's be clear Moonrise does not explore any theme that deeply especially not enough to warrant discussion.

The plot of Moonrise follows Jacob 'Jack' Shadow and friends survive an initial devastating attack framed as an assault from Moon Colony. Jack is framed as part of the terrorist group, Moon Chain, that is apparently responsible for the attack. As the show progresses you'll learn about Jack's past and a deeper connection he has that revolves around an unfolding conspiracy involving the war between Earth and the Moon.

Sounds fascinating right? It certainly starts off strong and grips you but half way through the season it completely loses its steam with pacing issues and questionable writing decisions. The show will continually add more pieces to the mystery but in a disjointed and disfuncional manner, often leaving you wondering what the point was. A saving grace is that by the very end, it does tie up MOST loose ends. Ultimately, if it weren't for the stellar production I and most others wouldn't even have finished the show.

Most characters are forgettable.

The main character is memorable for the wrong reasons, I wanted to like Jack Shadow so much but by the end of it, he was one of my least favorite characters in a roster of boring 1 note characters.

Rhys, another main protagonist and 'love interest' also falls into this as well. Special shout-out to Commander Salamandra for being a badass.

The ending is in my opinion downright bad and I mean face palm bad. It really takes away from the whole experience. It undercuts the rebels themes and message as a whole. What was a soft 7 quickly dropped to 6. I would even say 5 but no matter how many complains I issue against the writing and the story, it's still a visual treat. Id recommend watching it in passing. Something to hold you over while you wait for your other shows to return or as mindless fun.