Phi Brain

Phi Brain is an anime that is about puzzles. The solving and creation of puzzles, or at least, that's what it was at the beginning. Near the start, the anime delved slightly into how the main character went around solving the puzzles. Some of his thought processes. However; after the first episode, the solving of puzzles turned into something like this:
"Puzzle. It wants to be solved. It speaks to me. I have solved it."

At it's concept, it was great, and I would love for another anime to do something similarly. However; it turned into another anime where it died off after the second season. Incredibly disappointing, given it's strong start. I'd recommend watching season 1, without high hopes for season 2.

I heard about this show when i was first researching for a friend on the Sunrise Producers. I though nothing of it. A few months later i came across it again. After finishing Season 2, i found my mind caught in endless puzzling. Season 3 is a big wait for me right now. But in the mean while i'll be filling out the daily newspapers puzzles with season three in mind. Sunrise i am happy i found ya. The whole Anime has nothing to do with Guns or Nuclear Bombs or any of that crap that a person like me despises with every centimeter of being. The thought of replacing these murderous weapons, that cannot be unstained from my skin, is relieving in a sense. The though of having fun and battling with brain power and not tools, is very inspiring to me. The world would be happier to a certain degree. Knowing human history as i do, we would most likely do that same as in this anime and turn our minds into Murderous tools on an Atomic level. Which makes this anime so much better. To replace and still keep the human peace of mind is beautiful though. "Guns don't kill people. People kill People."

So I had high hopes for this anime. I love the studio and the premise seemed great. The first couple of episodes were okay but I feel the story is just dragging. Filler episodes with side characters already? It's not a good sign when I cringe about having to watch the next one but hoping it gets better. I'll keep trudging in hopes that my sacrifice keeps getting repaid with wonderful anime like Fate/Zero. If you're short on time, stay away.

Phi Brain is one of the more unique animes I've seen, up there with Mysterious Girlfriend X. Here's my review on this quaint anime.

Story:8/10
I'm a huge puzzle fan. Growing up, I always had puzzles around me. Rubik's cubes, release the rings, all sorts of puzzles. Hell, I have sudoku puzzles lying around my floor. However; the puzzle concept is taken too far here. I very much enjoy the Puzzles being the main idea of this anime, but sometimes it's just a little odd how the characters talk about puzzles, mainly Kaito and Gammon.

The quirky-ness aside, however; it is still a great story and thoroughly enjoyable.

Art:8/10
I love the art in this anime. There are other animes with better art, but this is still great. The hairstyles are well done, and the eyes differ slightly from regular anime eyes.

The background, and the world is also well done. Very few details are missed, but a lot of it is also quite basic.

The puzzles though, are exceptionally well done. Whenever a puzzle is involved, the artwork just becomes absolutely beautiful. Though that could be because of my interest in puzzles..

Animation: 7/10
The animation too, is excellent. Though at times, a little choppy. It would be nice if they were a little more fluid. Not much is skipped out in the way of animation, and when they are skipped out, there are innovative ideas on how to replace the intense work of the animation. This is greatly appreciated, from my personal perspective as I highly dislike having missed some things because the animators didn't want to animate the entire scene.

Sound: 6/10
I wasn't too fond of the music, personally. The opening/ending credits were fairly good but a lot of the voices, I just wasn't to fond of. And quite often, it sounds like I'm watching some h-anime. Not a downfall large enough to put off watching the anime, but I just wasn't personally fond of the music/some of the voices i this anime.
Characters:10/10
All the characters are unique. They have very good character progression in the first season, via the armlet of Orpheus, and the second season as per usual in animes, has a lot less progression.

The characters themselves are very enjoyable. Each one of them having their own specific interest. Many say that Da Vinci isn't portrayed properly in this anime, and I beg to differ. The titles are given to somebody with similar interests. Da Vinci had an interest in art.

I especially liked how this anime has absolutely no negative thoughts towards any sexuality. Shown through many characters and a few events.

Enjoyment: 10/10
Despite the minor downfalls this anime has, I really enjoy watching it. I find myself trying to decide between Tiny Defense, writing the next part of my GDD or watching Phi Brain.


Overall:8/10
Seeing the puzzles in this anime, and trying to figure them out as they happen just brings out the puzzler in me. It's given me inspiration for a game that I'll be working on, and I look forward to the episodes to come.

Puzzles can kill people. At least, then can when created by the "wrong" hands so to speak. That's basically the principle at work here. The show is shounen style, with puzzles and "genius" solvers and givers as the protagonists and antagonists. There are many flaws with the story line, and it's never very smart. I think it skews to the younger crowd, which isn't bad because there's also very little fanservice. The moral of the story is love conquers all, be yourself, and yes, your friends can save you. All the stuff they drum into your head as a kid. I watched the show because I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. Also, I wanted to see just how far they would stretch the whole "killing puzzle aspect". There was a resolution of sorts, but now there's a second season. I'm afraid these puzzles will go on and on.