Btooom! - Reviews

This anime in my words was one of my favorite because it has all the wow factors an aime should have it also leaves questions like will it have a second seasons because it really does need one !!!!! the manga is also really good and i suggest you read it because it does explain a few things that the anime does not give away :)

"Btooom!" thrusts its audience into a high-stakes game of survival, blending elements of psychological thriller and action within a unique premise. The story revolves around Ryouta Sakamoto, who finds himself transported from playing the video game "Btooom!" in the safety of his room to being forced to play it for real on a deserted island. The only way to escape the island is to kill seven other players and take their green crystals, using a variety of bombs as weapons.

Explosive Beginnings:

• Engaging Premise: The concept of "Btooom!" stands out for its originality, presenting a dark twist on the survival genre by integrating the mechanics of a video game into a life-or-death reality. This setup promises not only thrilling action but also an exploration of the psychological effects of such a brutal game on its unwilling participants.
• Action and Tension: The series delivers on the front of action, with strategic battles that showcase the various types of bombs and their unique capabilities. The tension of the survival game is palpable, keeping viewers on edge as alliances form and betrayals unfold.

Falling Short:

• Character Depth: While Ryouta and a few other characters receive some backstory, the series often struggles to fully develop its cast, leaving many of the players feeling one-dimensional. This lack of depth can make it difficult for viewers to invest in the characters' fates or understand their motivations beyond surface-level survival instincts.
• Thematic Exploration: "Btooom!" introduces themes of morality, society's desensitization to violence, and the nature of humanity under extreme conditions. However, the exploration of these themes can feel cursory, overshadowed by the series' focus on action and the mechanics of the game, rather than delving into the psychological and societal implications in a meaningful way.
• Pacing and Narrative Coherence: The pacing of "Btooom!" is uneven, with some episodes dedicated to rapid-fire action and others to slower character moments that don't always contribute to plot advancement or deeper understanding. This inconsistency can lead to a disjointed narrative flow, impacting overall engagement with the story.

Conclusion: "Btooom!" offers a high-octane survival game with an intriguing premise that combines psychological elements with action-packed sequences. While the series excels in creating suspense and delivering explosive battles, it falls short in developing its characters and exploring its themes with the depth they deserve. For fans of the survival game genre looking for intense action and strategic combat, "Btooom!" provides an entertaining, albeit surface-level, experience. However, those seeking a more comprehensive exploration of the human condition under duress may find the series lacking in emotional and thematic resonance.

BTOOOM! definitely seems like a type of online game that you would have to take some time getting good at. With no guns like most modern day shooters, bombs are more strategic and have to be used sparingly.

THE STORY IS: Ryouta Sakamoto is Japan's top ranked player on the popular online game BTOOOM! He is a 22-year-old with no job who spends his life as a shut in playing his life away on the game. One day, he wakes up on a tropical island with a pack full of bombs not knowing or remembering how he got there. When he comes across another person on the island, feeling relieved, he finds that the other person is throwing bombs at him trying to kill him. Feeling scared and not knowing what is going on, Sakamoto, Japan's best BTOOOM! player must play the game for real. Let the games begin...

When an idea like this comes around, it seems like it would be pretty cool to see. A real life game with nothing but bombs and all kinds of different types too. BTOOOM! honestly had nothing to hold my interest througout the 12 episodes of length. It was an interesting concept to start watching, but once I got halfway, I realized that there was nothing holding my interest. I could've stopped watching halfway through and still would've known how BTOOOM! was going to end...with a fucking cliffhanger like they are going to make more. What's the point of making it an anime if there is no guarantee that you will follow the whole thing?! I'm not a manga reader, but I would imagine the manga would be a lot more interesting. All the majority of this anime consisted of was: battle with someone for a few minutes, walking around encountering dangerous wildlife, betrayal and more bomb fighting. It was kind of interesting at first watching the bomb fights, but the further in you get, you realize and start to lose interest. All-in-all, BTOOOM! has a great concept of a story, it would probably be a lot more interesting if they put more effort into the atmosphere to actually give it a life OR death feeling to it. Otherwise, it was just another anime that has gone to waste that I wouldn't really care to recommend.

THE ANIMATION was decent. Most of it was actually kind of choppy and not very clean cut. It was also very simple too, considering there weren't many bombs battles and if there were, it was mostly them standing around. 

THE SOUND was also simple. Voice acting got annoying because you could tell they struggled to find the emotion and convey it. The sounds were simple, mostly just trees shaking, water streams, waves crashing, and bombs going off. They all sound the same anyway. Like mediocrity.

THE CHARACTERS were a mixed bag and I don't know how I feel about it. Sakamoto, being the protagonist, you would think he would be a badass. Nope! Sakamoto, more or less annoyed me throughout. He's crazy naive and despite being one of the best BTOOOM! players in the world, he doesn't show much in the way of skills done in real life. He thinks strategy, but doesn't impliment it into reality. The fact that he doesn't want to kill people is...ok I guess. Later on though, it starts to get annoying. If someone is legitimately trying to kill you, stop being naive and fight back. Himiko was also kind of annoying as well. She was more the helpless, scared of everything girl who wanted to kill herself on multiple ocassions and less of the kind of person to fight back or to be partnered with. She's just kind of there for some type of moral support I guess. You get to see some other character's backgrounds, but only briefly and it doesn't really matter much because those characters don't get enough face time to really merit having their own story. Hell, they wasted almost an entire episode on the background history of this mentally psycho 13-year-old on the island, but you don't see him really at all after that. Most of the other characters were there as fillers with the possibility of seeing more of them if they made more than 12 episodes, but no such luck.

OVERALL I didn't hate BTOOOM!, it was more or less the fact that there as nothing to hold my interest throughout. I could've stopped watching halfway and wouldn't have cared to finish it. I knew how it was going to end. If BTOOOM! had a more suspenseful atmosphere, it would've been more interesting to watch. There was no emphasis on the whole life or death situation to make any situation that the characters got into more intense or even to really want you to care. Don't get me wrong, I may be saying a lot of bad things about BTOOOM!, but I didn't hate it entirely. I just hated everything that it didn't do to make a wonderful idea like that turn into a suspenseful fight to the death. Unless they make more (which I doubt) I wouldn't really recommend BTOOOM! to anyone. There is just nothing there to hold an interest.

Story (6/10): "Btooom!" presents a high-stakes survival game where players are forced to use real-life combat skills to eliminate each other using explosive devices. The concept is intriguing and suspenseful, and the anime sets the stage for intense psychological battles. However, it does fall short in terms of world-building and explaining the game's mechanics thoroughly. The pacing can be inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by slower, character-focused episodes. While the premise is captivating, it doesn't fully realize its potential.

Animation (7/10): The animation in "Btooom!" is generally well-executed. The character designs are distinctive, and the action sequences are fluid and intense. The use of explosives in battles is visually engaging and adds a unique dynamic to the fights. However, there are moments where the quality dips, and some scenes lack the level of detail seen in other anime of its genre.

Sound (7/10): The soundtrack effectively builds tension and enhances the atmosphere during intense moments. The opening theme is catchy and suits the tone of the series. Voice acting performances are solid, with the cast conveying the fear and desperation of their characters convincingly.

Characters (5/10): The characters in "Btooom!" are a mixed bag. Ryouta Sakamoto, the protagonist, undergoes some development as he confronts the harsh reality of the game. However, some of the supporting characters lack depth, and their motivations can be unclear. The series attempts to explore the psychological toll of being forced to kill, but it doesn't delve as deeply into character development as it could.

Overall (6/10): "Btooom!" offers a suspenseful and action-packed premise but falls short in fully realizing its potential. While it has its moments of excitement and tension, it struggles with pacing and character development. If you're a fan of survival game anime, you may find elements to enjoy, but be prepared for a story that leaves some questions unanswered.

In comparison to the manga, the anime adaptation covers a portion of the source material but doesn't progress as far in the story. If you're intrigued by the concept and want a more comprehensive experience, reading the manga is advisable. It provides a deeper exploration of the characters and plot developments, offering a more complete narrative.

I mean, over all I gave it a higher score 'cause i love survival/killing games and the setting is on an island, and I've read the manga so. 

I watched this since like 2017 so i forgot some details in the anime but the Animation for me is not that bad.