Grimm Notes The Animation review: A thorough evaluation of the appeal of the story and the quality of the animation

Grimm Notes The Animation

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

game

■ Broadcast period

January 11, 2019 - March 29, 2019
1:58～

■Broadcasting station

TBS, BS-TBS

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Square Enix "Grim Notes"

■ Director

Sugawara Shizuka

■ Production

・Animation Production: Brain's Base

■Works

©SQUARE ENIX/Grimnotes The Animation Production Committee・TBS

■ Story

When people are born, they are given a book. They are destined to live according to the script written in the "Book of Fate" from birth to death. Meanwhile, Ex, who was born with an empty script, the "Blank Book," meets his friends, Reina, Tao, and Shane, who also have the "Blank Book," and sets off on a journey to find his own role. This is the story of a fairy tale that has been read many times.

■Cast

・Ex/Ryota Osaka・Reina/Reina Ueda・Tao/Takuya Eguchi・Shane/Miyu Kubota・Loki/Masahiro Mizushima・Carly/Sumire Uesaka・Alice/Miyu Kubota・Little Red Riding Hood/Risa Taneda・Cinderella/Reina Ueda・Snow White/Aoi Yuki・Robin Hood/Junji Majima

■ Main staff

・Original work: "Grim Notes" (Square Enix)
・Director: Shizuka Sugawara ・Series Composition: Hiroshi Yamaguchi ・Character Design: Kentaro Matsumoto ・Music: Mirai Kodai Gakudan ・Sound Director: Hiroki Gobumi ・Animation Production: Brain's Base

■ Main Characters

Tao is a bold and free-spirited young man. He calls Reina "Ojou" (Miss), and accompanies her on her journey to "tune" the Chaostellar. He and Shane are sworn brother and sister, and they call the group the Tao Family.
A boy who lives in a certain place called Ex and is the owner of the "Book of the Blanks". He was born and raised without any destiny, but after meeting Reina and the others, he sets out on a journey to find his own destiny. He has manifested the "Crest of the Wild", which connects him to the souls of all heroes.
・Reina A girl known as the "Priestess of Tuning." She has the power to "tune" Chaostellar and restore the Thought Zone to its original state. She possesses a mysterious book called "The Kingdom of the Miniature Garden," and there are many mysteries surrounding her past.
・She is the "younger sister" of Sheintao. Although she is difficult to grasp and often speaks and acts at her own pace, she occasionally notices the truth behind incidents with her sharp perspective and supports the group on their journey. She has many talents, including being a serious weapon and customization fanatic.
-Loki: A mysterious man who calls himself a "wizard".
- Kali: A girl known as the "Priestess of Chaos."

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: "Little Red Riding Hood's Forest"
Episode 2: "Don Quixote's Beliefs"
・Episode 3: "Cinderella's Memories"
・Episode 4: "Ex's Departure"
Episode 5: "Treasure Island of Dreams and Romance"
・Episode 6: "Ex and Snow White"
・Episode 7: "Gerda and the Snow Queen"
Episode 8: "Brothers and Sisters on Onigashima"
Episode 9: "Aladdin in the Desert"
Episode 10: "The Saint of Orleans"
Episode 11: "Reina in Wonderland"
・Episode 12: "A fairy tale no one knows"

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1-12
・Innocent Notes
Lyrics: Kanata Nakamura Music: Kohei Tsukada Song: Ayana Taketatsu ED1
・Period: 1-12
・Endless Notes
Lyrics by Naozumi Mabuchi; Music by Naozumi Mabuchi; Singer by i☆Ris

Grimm Notes The Animation - Detailed Review and Recommendation

"Grim Notes The Animation" is a TV anime series based on the popular Square Enix game "Grim Notes." It aired on TBS and BS-TBS from January 11 to March 29, 2019, and although it is a compact series of 12 episodes, it has a deep story and fascinating characters. This anime is a fantasy where the world of fairy tales and the real world intersect, and it skillfully depicts the themes of fate and free will.

Story and Themes

The story of "Grim Notes The Animation" is set in a world where people live according to the "Book of Fate" that is given to them at birth. However, the main character, Ex, is the only one who possesses the "Blank Book," meaning he is free from fate. This setting is an important element in depicting the contrast between fate and free will. Ex and his companions, Reina, Tao, and Shane, go on a journey to find their destiny. Throughout the journey, they visit various fairy tale worlds and interact with the characters they meet while searching for the meaning of their existence.

Each episode of the anime is based on a famous fairy tale such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Snow White, and skillfully incorporates the themes and characters of each fairy tale. For example, the first episode, "Little Red Riding Hood's Forest," is based on the story of Little Red Riding Hood and depicts Ex and his friends facing the dangers they encounter in the forest. In addition, the third episode, "Remembrance of Cinderella," delves deeper into Reina's past and her destiny through the story of Cinderella. These episodes provide an opportunity to look at the world of fairy tales from a new perspective, and leave viewers with deep emotions.

Characters and cast

Each character in Grimms Notes The Animation is unique and charming. The main character, Ex, is voiced by Osaka Ryota, whose delicate acting realistically expresses Ex's anxiety and determination. Reina Ueda exquisitely portrays Reina's kindness and strength. Eguchi Takuya, who plays Tao, vividly portrays a bold character, and Kubota Miyu, who plays Shane, charmingly plays a character who goes at his own pace but has a sharp perspective. Additionally, Mizushima Takahiro, who plays Loki, and Uesaka Sumire, who plays Kali, also charmingly play mysterious characters.

Other than that, the cast is full of gorgeous actors such as Risa Taneda as Little Red Riding Hood, Reina Ueda as Cinderella, Aoi Yuki as Snow White, and Junji Majima as Robin Hood. The acting of these actors brings out the charm of the characters and makes the story deeper and more moving.

Production and visuals

Grimms Notes The Animation is animated by Brain's Base. Character design is by Matsumoto Kentaro, and is characterized by designs that highlight the individuality of each character. Additionally, the music by the Mirai Kodai Orchestra is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. Under the direction of sound director Gobumi Yuki, the cast's acting and the music are perfectly matched, drawing the viewer into the world of the story.

In terms of visuals, the background art beautifully depicts the world of fairy tales, and the dynamic direction of the battle scenes is stunning. In particular, the fairy tale world depicted in each episode faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original while adding a new interpretation, making it a visually enjoyable element. In addition, the movements and expressions of the characters are drawn in detail, realistically expressing changes in emotions.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme, "Innocent Notes," is sung by Ayana Taketatsu, and her crystal clear voice symbolizes the beginning of the story. Written by Kanata Nakamura and composed by Kohei Tsukada, this song is a beautiful melody that evokes Ex's departure and hope. Meanwhile, the ending theme, "Endless Notes," is sung by i☆Ris, and their harmony gently envelops the end of the story. Written and composed by Naozumi Mabuchi, this song is an emotional song that evokes the end of a journey and a new beginning.

Recommendations and ratings

"Grim Notes The Animation" is a fantasy where the world of fairy tales and the real world intersect, providing viewers with deep emotions and new perspectives. It skillfully depicts the themes of fate and free will, and the story is animated by unique and attractive characters. In addition, the charm of this anime is enhanced by a luxurious cast, beautiful visuals, and moving music.

This anime is especially recommended for those who like fairy tales and fantasy works. It is also recommended for those who are looking for a work that makes them think about fate and free will. Although it is a compact work with only 12 episodes, it has a deep story and attractive characters, and it is a work that will provide viewers with many moving experiences and new perspectives.

Furthermore, "Grim Notes The Animation" is a work that fans of the original game cannot miss. By faithfully recreating the worldview of the original while adding a new interpretation, it offers new appeal to game fans. It is a work that can be enjoyed not only by those who have played the original game, but also those who are experiencing this world for the first time.

Overall, "Grim Notes The Animation" is a worthwhile anime that combines a deep story, charming characters, beautiful visuals and moving music. It offers viewers many emotions and new perspectives, and allows them to enjoy a fantasy where the world of fairy tales and the real world intersect. Please watch this work and feel its charm.