A certain old man's VRMMO activity record: Evaluating the new adventures of middle-aged and older gamers

"A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Chronicle" - An adventure that transcends the boundaries between reality and virtuality

"A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record," which aired from October 3 to December 19, 2023, is a TV anime series based on the light novel by Shiina Howahowa. The series aired on TOKYO MX and BS11 every Tuesday at 1:05 a.m., with a total of 12 episodes in 30-minute slots. Animation was produced by MAHO FILM and produced by the "A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record Production Committee."

story

"A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record" is the story of the protagonist Evil Tamamushi as he challenges the VRMMO (Virtual Reality Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) "Eternal Fantasy." Evil is a middle-aged office worker in the real world, but in the game he enjoys adventures using a youthful avatar. His goal is to level up in the game and go on an adventure with his friends, but various difficulties and encounters await him.

Evil aims to level up by working together with the young players he meets in the game. His experience and knowledge are valuable to the young players, and through his interactions with them, Evil himself grows. Evil also builds deep bonds with the beautiful characters he meets in the game, Luna and Milfy, and they go on adventures together.

character

Evil Tamamushi: The protagonist. In the real world, he is a middle-aged office worker, but in the game, he enjoys adventures using a youthful avatar. He is experienced and takes on the role of leading his companions.

Luna: A beautiful girl character who meets Evil in the game. Although she is a beginner, she grows under Evil's guidance. She has special feelings for Evil.

Milfy: Luna's friend who adventures with Evil together. She has a bright and cheerful personality and is the mood maker of the team.

Animation and performance

The animation of "A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record" is characterized by MAHO FILM's careful drawing and direction. In particular, attention has been paid to the background and character movements in order to realistically depict the world of VRMMO. The battle scenes in the game are powerful and visually enjoyable. In addition, the transition between the real world and the game world is smooth, so the viewer does not feel uncomfortable.

Director Yuichi Nakazawa has succeeded in drawing out the unique charm of the anime while respecting the atmosphere of the original work. In particular, the scenes depicting the relationship between Evil and Luna are meticulously portrayed to capture the hearts of viewers. In addition, the adventure scenes within the game are well-paced and tensely directed.

Music and voice acting

Music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of a game. The music in "A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record" is characterized by grandiose background music that livens up the adventure in the game, and melodies that gently envelop the scenes in the real world. In particular, the background music in the battle scenes has the power to lift the viewer's spirits and draw them into the story.

The voice actors are also excellent, with the voice actor for Evil expressing the gap between the real world and the game world well. The voice actor for Luna realistically portrays the cuteness of a beginner and her growing character. The voice actor for Milfie charmingly portrays a bright and energetic character.

Evaluation and Impressions

"A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record" is a highly entertaining work that makes use of the VRMMO theme. The story, which depicts Evil's growth and the bonds he forms with his friends, will move viewers. In addition, the adventure scenes within the game are visually enjoyable, fully conveying the appeal of VRMMO.

The greatest attraction of this work is the interaction between Evil and the young players. It is moving to see Evil's experience and knowledge influence the young players and help them grow. Evil himself is also depicted learning from the young players and growing, which resonates with the viewers.

Furthermore, by depicting the gap between the real world and the game world, the film also has the depth to make viewers think about the boundary between real and virtual. Evil uses a youthful avatar in the game, forgetting his worries and conflicts in the real world and enjoying his adventure, which resonates with viewers. It also teaches us that the bonds we make with the characters we meet in the game are important in the real world.

Recommendations and related works

For those who enjoyed "A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activities", we also recommend the following works:

Sword Art Online: A work based on the theme of VRMMO, the story depicts the boundary between the real world and the game world. The protagonist Kirito's adventure in the game is similar to Evil's adventure.

Log Horizon: A work depicting the players trapped in a VRMMO trying to survive within the game. Compared to Evil's adventures, it features a more realistic depiction of the game world.

"Overlord": A story about the protagonist Ainz, who has obtained absolute power in the world of VRMMO and reigns as the ruler within the game. You can enjoy the world of VRMMO from a different perspective than Evil.

"A Certain Old Man's VRMMO Activity Record" is a highly entertaining work that makes use of the theme of VRMMO, and its appeal is in the story, which moves and evokes emotion in the viewer. While enjoying the adventures of Evil and his friends, the story also has depth that makes you think about the boundary between the real world and the game world. Please watch this work and experience the charm of VRMMO.