Lycoris Recoil

Lycoris Recoil is simply a nice show. There are plenty of likable characters and an action-packed plot, and it's all wrapped in gorgeous visuals that prove that A-1 Pictures has still got it. The music isn’t bad, either. Unlike others, I don't see this as the anime version of “John Wick in a skirt.” The fact that there's a mysterious organization of assassins that has its corpse cleaners and that the main character is more dangerous than an entire SWAT team is just a minor and inconsequential coincidence. On the other hand, there are probably some of the best and most entertaining shootouts and fights I've seen in anime this year. As I said, A-1 Pictures did a very decent job indeed, and the movement of the characters in battle, and the way the camera skillfully captures it, is a real treat. Of course, the show has its flaws. Gun and ammo experts must be tearing their hair out at the sight of ammunition going through almost every material object except people and their clothes. As a layman, I am unfazed. The biggest appeal for me, besides the fights, were definitely the characters. The two protagonists were extremely likable and had great chemistry, so it really worked as a great buddy series. I especially liked Chisato. She's exactly the kind of energetic and crazy girl full of life that I love in anime as well as in life. This is why her story and emotions worked for me, although it was obvious that there would be a more serious plot right from the moment when it was explained why Chisato can dodge bullets. Mika and Yoshi were great characters, too. Their relationship and secrets were portrayed in an interesting way that made me understand them. Similarly, Majima as the main villain had something going for him, and while it took me a while to make sense of all his motivations, I did get to like him as a character. The concept of helping ordinary people in need is another reason why Lycoris Recoil is a nice show. 7.8/10 (2022.09.24)