Studio MAPPA’s ZENSHU I didn’t have the best animated pilot episode regarding isekai anime. The pacing of the first episode was difficult and the character introductions fell flat. While the second half of the episode offered a superb animated sequence with Zenshu protagonist getting her own magical girl transformation sequence, the episode as a whole didn’t really deliver what fans have come to expect from Studio MAPPA.
The second episode, however, titled “Defend to the Death”, takes all of the concerns of the first episode and repeats them. You could say that the first episode was actually the first draft of the isekai anime. ZENSHU Episode 2 builds on the not-so-stable foundation established in the previous episode but it did it in a way that proves that Studio MAPPA knows exactly what it’s doing with this anime.
Related
Studio MAPPA speaks directly to the Fandom
By this point, every anime fan has heard about Studio MAPPA’s controversies, and it seems so has the studio itself. ZENSHU could potentially be at Studio MAPPA what dead Pool is in the MCU. In a great and laugh-out-loud scene early in the second episode, Natsuko trips and falls on Luke as soon as Unio enters the kitchen and surprises them on top of each other. Unio collapses and attacks Natsuko. In return, she grabs Unio by the horn and criticizes the lack of respect the fluffy unicorn has towards her, especially after spending so much money buying merchandise based on her character.
You need to respect the fans who spend money on you more. -Natsuko, ZENSHU Episode 2
The MAPPA studio is criticizing itself here and perhaps what has resulted in a lack of respect towards its fans and, more particularly, its animators, who have, in more than one way, “saved the studio” with their work . ZENSHU there were minor moments like this in the first episode, but not as explicitly as this scene. Whether or not this will work in their favor remains to be seen, but hey, at least the studio is trying.
One of the interesting aspects of ZENSHU it’s how much information it drops about the animation as a whole. Natsuko, at one point, explains what anime is, stating that one second equals 24 FPS (frames per second) and that if they animate in threes, that’s eight drawings per second. These mini-appetizers about the animation process further add to the theory that Studio MAPPA is in fact catering to its audience. Even though some people already know all this, ZENSHU could easily become a gateway anime for many new to the medium because of that.
Related
“A Cry for Help”: MAPPA Anime’s New Trailer Sparks Controversy
The new trailer for Zenshu, an original anime series from MAPPA, has generated many pointed comments about its story and main character.
ZENSHU Fuses Two Beloved Anime Genres and It Works
ZENSHU is an Isekai anime with magical girl tropes sprinkled throughout
One of the fascinating things about ZENSHU This is how well anime blends two genres loved by anime fans. Yes, basically the anime is an isekai. The recipe is there: an animator chokes on her lunch and finds herself growing up in the world of her favorite animated film. All about ZENSHU shouts the isekai anime, even Natsuko says it in the second episode of the anime.
Yet buried even deeper are tropes that may not be so obvious at first glance. Natsuko is, in more ways than one, her own version of a Magical Girl. Think about it, in the eyes of Luke and everyone around him, Natsuko almost feels like a prophet, one who holds the key to saving their world. Not only that, but she possesses a powerful magical ability that allows her to animate whatever she needs after summoning a white animator’s desk and drawing said resource (whether it’s a giant in the first episode or thousands homing missiles in the second). in order to save the situation.
The icing on the isekai ice cream cake is that ZENSHU gives Natsuko her own version of a Magical Girl transformation sequence which easily rivals Sailor Moon’s iconic transformations. The sequence is rich in color and iconography specific to Natsuko’s story; a heart that thrives in paper, desk, swirls of paint, pencils and rulers. It was the promise that ZENSHU attempted to succeed in its first episode and failed, while hitting a home run the second time around. As mentioned in the review of the first episode, this isekai anime definitely needs the three episode rule.
Related
A record-breaking Magical Girl anime finally lands on Crunchyroll
One of the most important shows in the Pretty Cure franchise is now available on a major streaming service, alongside its three predecessors.
ZENSHU is the animated version of the Wizard of Oz
Episode 2 expanded the world and brought a fascinating twist
L.Frank Baum The Wizard of Oz is truly the OG isekai. A young girl seeking to escape her reality is swept away by a tornado and lands in a magical world called Oz. Likewise, Natsuko, frustrated in her world, finds herself in her favorite animated film. As Natsuko expresses her frustration at being in this alternate world and begs Kami-sama to bring her back to reality, by the end of the episode she wonders if she actually wants to go back.
While visiting a tavern, Natsuko meets the tavern keeper, who treats Natsuko to beer and delicious food. At first, Naomi, the tavern keeper, seems like another NPC until Natsuko really looks at her and realizes there’s a deeper connection here. Naomi, is actually the world’s version of the president of the animation studio where Natsuko works. If the anime follows this path, it will be fascinating to see how this world connects to Natsuko’s reality.
Related
10 Awesome Isekai Anime That Totally Lives Up To The Hype (No Matter What The Haters Say)
Although the Isekai genre may have many detractors, there are several anime in this genre that more than deserve their hype and success.
The decision to save most of the worldbuilding for the second episode may not have been the logical step at first, but it works better for ZENSHU. In this case, the anime gradually improves with each episode and slowly attracts its audience. The characters are given more layers in this episode as they start to show a little more of their personality. The stakes also rise in this episode, as Natsuko is about to become one of the Nine Warriors. It was time for her to answer the call to adventure.
The highlight of the episode, however, is the growing connection between Natsuko and Luke, which is apparently the key to unlocking Natsuko’s animation abilities. ZENSHU cleverly weaves the threads of isekai anime’s central themes in a nuanced way it feels very organic to the pacing and the characters themselves. This doesn’t sound like a broken record, but there’s no doubt that ZENSHU is going to be a much talked about isekai anime that will become a fan favorite in 2025.
ZENSHU Episode 2 is a much stronger entry in the first season of the isekai anime. As Natsuko and Luke continue to clash, the prophet of the Last City, Elder Baobab, decides that Natsuko should join the Nine Soldiers. Despite wanting nothing more than to return home, Natsuko once again saves the day and proves her worth to Luke and his warriors.
- Release date
-
January 5, 2025
- Creator(s)
-
Kimiko Ueno, Mitsue Yamazaki
- Cast
-
Anna Nagase, Kazuki Ura, Rie Kugimiya, Minori Suzuki, Akio Suyama
- Studio
-
MAP
- Japanese title
-
Zenshuuu.
- Character(s)
-
Natsuko Hirose, Luke Braveheart, Unio, Memmeln, QJ
- Rich world building and character development
- Funny meta moments
- Dynamic animation
- Epic final action sequence
- Strange rhythm
- Minor cliché moments