The appeal and reviews of "CONCEPTION": A thorough explanation of the unique worldview and depth of the story

The appeal and evaluation of "CONCEPTION"

"CONCEPTION" is a TV anime series that aired in 2018, based on the Spike Chunsoft game "CONCEPTION: Give Me My Child!". Directed by Motonaga Keitaro and produced by GONZO, the series was broadcast on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, and other stations, with a total of 12 episodes in 30-minute slots. Set in the magical world of Grandvania, the story follows the protagonist Yuge Itsuki, who is summoned from Earth, as he works with the shrine maidens of the 12 zodiac signs to exorcise impurities and give birth to the "Star Child" in order to save the world.

story

The magical world of Grandvania has been invaded by "Kegare". In order to save this world, high school student Itsuki Yuge is summoned from Earth (Sora) to perform the "Ritual of Love" with the shrine maidens of the 12 zodiac signs and give birth to the "Star Child". Itsuki is summoned to Grandvania along with his childhood friend Mahiru Konzuki, and while deepening his bond with the shrine maidens, he challenges the battle to change the fate of the world. The story depicts hope and courage through the bond and growth between Itsuki and the shrine maidens, and the birth of the "Star Child".

character

The protagonist, Yuge Itsuki, is a serious and cool high school student, but he also has a strong sense of justice that makes him unable to leave people alone. The "Love Ritual" with the 12 Zodiac Shrine Maidens is unknown territory for him, and he is an amateur when it comes to treating women. His childhood friend, Konzuki Mahiru, was summoned along with Itsuki as the Virgo Shrine Maiden, and is obsessed with a "certain promise" they made 10 years ago. Although she is troubled by the changes in her physical condition in the modern world, she struggles alongside Itsuki as the savior of Grandvania.

Each priestess is unique. Aries' priestess Allie is a kind-hearted nun, but secretly she loves weapons and has a large collection of weapons inside the church. Taurus' priestess Talua aims to deliver letters quickly as a postman, but she is so focused on running fast that she worries about going too fast. Gemini's priestesses Lilith and Lily are sisters with two personalities, and are popular fortune tellers, but when they receive an impact to their heads, their personalities switch.

Cancer Priestess Luka grew up in an orphanage and helps out as a way of giving back, but she has the power to read people's minds just by touching them, and tries to distance herself from people before they dislike her. Leo Priestess Femiruna is the daughter of a wealthy man and has a high sense of pride, and believes that since she was chosen to be a priestess, the peace of the world is all but guaranteed. Libra Priestess Mirei is a brilliant court magician with no interest in anything other than research, but she is interested in Itsuki, who came from another world, as a research subject.

The Scorpio Priestess Leone is the court physician in charge of managing the health of the Marebito and the Priestesses, and leads Itsuki as a sexy, mature woman. The Sagittarius Priestess Suu is an animal lover who takes care of animals in an animal shed, and is not good at socializing. The Capricorn Priestess Farun travels the world as a dancer and hates staying in Grandvania. The Aquarius Priestess Colette is a charismatic bread chef who manages her grandfather's bakery, but is troubled by the difficulties of running the business. The Pisces Priestess Yuzuha makes a living as an artist, and is shy and stays shut up in her studio, but suffers from sleeping sickness.

Many other unique characters also appear, such as Mana, the fairy who was ordered by the king to protect Itsuki, and Arfy, the instructor who trains the Star Children. The drama woven by these characters enriches the story.

Animation and Music

GONZO, in charge of animation production, focused on character design and background art, expressing the fantastical atmosphere of the magical world of "Granvania." Particularly noteworthy are the unique designs of the 12 zodiac shrine maidens and the intensity of the battle scenes. Music also plays an important role, with the opening theme "Star light, Star bright" sung by Nano and the ending theme "Desires" sung by Numakura Manami. In episode 8, "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun" sung by Arfie is used, adding to the atmosphere of the work.

Ratings and Recommendations

"CONCEPTION" is an appealing work with its unique worldview and distinctive characters. The story conveys hope and courage while depicting the bond and growth between Itsuki and the shrine maidens. In particular, the "Love Ritual" with the shrine maidens of the 12 zodiac signs and the birth of the "Star Child" provide fresh surprises and emotions to viewers. Additionally, the backstories and relationships of each character are explored in depth, drawing viewers in.

However, some viewers feel that the story development is a bit monotonous and that the character settings contain excessively erotic elements. In particular, the phrase "Please give birth to my child" seen in the title and subtitle symbolizes the theme of the work, but some people may find it unpleasant depending on how they interpret it.

Nevertheless, this work has a unique charm that combines the fantasy of a magical world with human drama. In particular, the personalities of the 12 zodiac shrine maidens and the process of deepening their bond with Itsuki move and sympathize with the viewer. In addition, the music and animation are of high quality, making it a work that can be enjoyed both visually and aurally.

The recommended audience is those who like fantasy works and stories that depict the growth of characters, and those who want to enjoy the drama of unique characters. It is also recommended for fans of the original game, Nano, and Numakura Manami. However, those who are uncomfortable with erotic elements or extreme expressions should be careful before watching.

Conclusion

"CONCEPTION" is a fantasy work set in the magical world of "Grandvania" and is a touching story about the bonds and growth of the 12 zodiac shrine maidens. The unique characters, high-quality animation, and music are also appealing, giving viewers a fresh surprise and excitement. However, those who are uncomfortable with the story's development and erotic elements should be careful before watching. Overall, this work is recommended for those who want to enjoy fantasy and human drama.