STEINS
GATE: BURDENED DOMAIN OF DEJA VU: A somewhat unnecessary continuation to the
original story, but good nonetheless
Burdened
Domain of Deja Vu continues the story of the original Steins Gate series. The anime
follows Okabe Rintaro, Kurisu Makise, and the rest of the Future Gadget
Laboratory, as they experience déjà vu, a phenomenon wherein their memories
from different world lines collide, causing certain complications.
Even
though the original Steins Gate series is already wrapped up and doesn’t need
an extension, Burdened Domain of Deja Vu is an interesting watch. Its approach
is somewhat different compared to the original. It focuses more on the romantic
component between Okabe and Kurisu, but still features the smart and technical
time travel aspects that make Steins Gate so good. This combination makes
Burdened Domain of Deja Vu a different experience than the original.
Because
of this different approach, the anime lacks the action and darkness of the
original series. This isn’t an inherent flaw, but it is subject to criticism
because of differing preferences between viewers. Personally, the fact that it
lacks action and darkness makes it an emotional ride. It reminds me of the
magic of 5 Centimeters per Second, only with an additional time travel element.
The
story can be problematic for some, however. It has certain elements that
viewers won’t understand unless they’ve seen the original series. There are
also some plot points that seem ridiculous if the viewers are not familiar with
certain events and characters. The anime is basically exclusive for those who
have seen Steins Gate.
But
those who have will surely enjoy this one. Even though the other members of the
Future Gadget Laboratory are basically environmental characters here, Okabe and
Kurisu have sufficient character development to carry the characterization. My
only gripe in the characters is the awkward dialogues that are just there to
advance the plot.
Speaking
of the plot, Burdened Domain of Deja Vu has some good and bad points. The bad
point would be the general tameness of the conflict. Sure, it is interesting,
but I think it relies too much on existing emotional investment, and the way it
is worked out is somewhat passive. It lacks the immediate sense of danger that
makes conflicts exciting. But the good point is, this follow up anime knows how
to juggle its plot elements. The common fan of the franchise will not be
disappointed, because it lives up to the smartness of the Steins Gate plot.
Overall,
Steins Gate: Burdened Domain of Deja Vu, is more of a dessert for an already
satisfying meal. It is not a necessary watch to appreciate Steins Gate as a
franchise, but the fact that it exists just makes the Steins Gate experience a
little better. This is recommended to those who have seen the original series.
Related
posts:
As a big fan of the Steins;Gate series, I have been meaning to watch this for a while. I saw it on YouTube with terrible fansubs over Japanese subtitles after finishing the series, but I decided to wait until an official release, and I don't think I will be disappointed since my expectations are not terribly high. Great review as always!
ReplyDelete-James
This one is actually pretty good. It has the same wit as the original series, but focuses more on the romantic aspect instead of the plot-orientation we've seen before.
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