Biggest Surprise: Invaders of the Rokujyouma!
Of course, there is going to be a lot of debate over what constitutes the “best” surprise of the year. Most of our reviewers did interpret this as many of us did last year, as the show that turned out to be much more enjoyable or well-made than we had initially thought it would be, though AJ Adejare felt Mekaku City Actors was the biggest surprise—in a bad way.
Quite a lot of surprise was created by No Game, No Life, admittedly a show I skipped over for various reasons, but which I have heard a lot of positive buzz about from many people. From the reviewers’ discussion, Kestrel Swift laid out the show’s unexpected appeal: “Throw a ‘game otaku magically transported to video game world’ premise, loli fanservice, harem tropes, and incestuous themes into a one-cour adaptation of an ongoing light novel series and I should have trouble getting through the first episode. Instead No Game, No Life easily becomes one of my favorites in a strong year between MADHOUSE’s wonderful standard of quality and excellent writing, presenting an engaging narrative with unbelievably interesting world-building as it subverts and plays with its tropes and references more cleverly than most. Future seasons seem likely, so if waiting means more of this quality, I can deal.”
But for my money, the show that subverted expectations the most was Invaders of the Rokujyouma! As Brian Threlkeld notes: “It’s hard to say the harem genre has become stale when examples of it have dwindled so much in recent years, but Rokujyouma still manages to upend it, and spoils me for anything harem-style that follows in its wake. All of the girls aren’t in love with the male protagonist!? And they don’t mind!? There are small rivalries to gain his attention (either because they want to use him or at least prevent his death) and inevitable friendships, but the remarkable thing about this show is how it seems to revitalize the concept by taking different approaches to those relationships, and to treat each of the ‘harem girls’ with respect—even silly, pathetic, noble Yurika. A twisting, mysterious, and as-yet unresolved plot helps.”
And I heartily agree. It initially appeared to be nothing more than yet another tired retread with a wisecracking male in the anti-milquetoast style and a combination platter of girls displaying a range of physical builds and personality quirks. Then it took those expectations and utterly threw them into confusion. Instead of a harem, we see the creation of a replacement family.
Congrats winners!