Be thankful for what you have, and you'll end up having more - that’s the central message of Selector Infected WIXOSS. An emotional journey of several oblivious schoolgirls following their aspirations in life; accompanied with a very strong atmosphere, and a pathway that will have you guessing during the whole narration. You’ll watch ambitions get shattered, friends part, and the Heart of the Cards turning its cold shoulder to our naive heroines.
Given the depressing nature of the show, Selector Infected WIXOSS plays out all innocent at first, but gains up on that in the other half of the show (in a similar sense that Madoka Magica did). It presents a common idea of a card game having an immeasurably valuable reward that is worth risking your life for. To be more specific, having your wildest dreams come true if certain requirements are met. What are these mystic necessities? Well, it appears that the show hasn’t set a clear rule on that part - largely it’s said that you have to be victorious in three battles with other Selectors (randomly chosen persons with a unique deck containing a LRIG card), yet at some instances it is mentioned that there are additional conditions to whom we never receive any further insight.
The base game suffers from a similar shortcoming - the rules are never addressed, ever. As obscure as it sounds, it puts more focus on the actual action and the inner struggles during battles than actually establishing a solid play-mechanic. That works well at the beginning of the show, hatching insecurity or confusion when prematurely exposed to an unfamiliar gamble, but becomes incredibly defective at the midpoint. There’s no way to tell which card does what, if the players use any strategies or just bluntly attack, or how much damage does either opponent inflict. The several rules that can be grasped are in the lines of evolving your LRIG, and being able to attack on the first turn - and don’t get me started on how unfair that is.
Another flaw arrives at idea of this card game even existing. The origins of WIXOSS are, again, unexplained. It’d be too much to ask to clarify how these talking cards are made or function; however, a more direct question would be: why do put such effort in publishing these LRIG cards if there’s close to no gain from them to the company? People couldn’t possibly keep this Selector dilemma a secret (and in no way is this legal), so when the public would come across the truth, quite a ruckus couldn’t be evaded. But that seems to be the least problem of the show.
All these errors, and the absence of a strong backbone for the story, lead to believe that the whole concept of card battles was thrown into the tale at some point. And if not for the game, what else is there to look forward to? Well, the show does provide a refreshing sense of insanity. It’s quite remarkable how good it conveys a grim, saddening vibe throughout the whole act. However, Selector Infected WIXOSS still falls short on its continuous tries to transform normal situations, feelings, thoughts into ill-suited drama. For example, pupils creating rumours about Kurebayashi siblings having an affair when in real terms it’s widely known for twins to stick together, so teenagers sparking sexual tones out of this one fact seems overblown. Much alike is the fulmination towards Ruko for not having any wishes, which they try to make a big deal yet feels fuzzy in the end, since barely any of the Selectors have an ethical goal themselves.
Let’s stop at this idea for a second - Ruko not having any dreams - while it’s something that every tear-jerking teenager will relate to; frankly, it’s virtually impossible to be without one. Even if a person isn’t conscious about it, the experience acquired through life will generate an aspiration if one desires it or not - shall it be becoming a great artist, moving out of your parent’s house, or just having a burger tonight. Some dream big, some small. Especially if we tackle the idea of depression which most often comes from failing an ambition. Complex subject none the less, even makes the show come into conflict with its own preachy views (not to spoil anything).
Within the scope of these events, once in a while Selector Infected WIXOSS treats the audience to clever indications, in character dialogue, events, and used terms, about the true essence of the card game - it’s intellectually stimulating and creates a good rewatchability value. Even with this, it’s hard to shake off the feeling that this anime tries to be a spiritual successor to Madoka Magica. For instance, the relentless tries having a shocking nature, similar trickery from reliable individuals, events that always seem to have an unfavourable outcome, saddening atmosphere, and so much more that could aid as an example for the visible analogy.
In conclusion, the show does add an interesting twist to a usually straightforward tale, but never crosses the line of being a satisfactory adventure; mostly because of the anti-realistic and excessive drama. In fact, if you long for a good card battle anime, you’re better off watching Yu-Gi-Oh!; or if the sentimental, mysterious aspect had your heart trembling, then it’s worth trying out Kokoro Connect or Anohana.
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