If Studio Deen can keep up the quality we've seriously got an AotS contender here
n080dy1232026-01-09 10:38
Wait, that episode was Studio DEEN? You're kidding.
Must've been where all the frames from Ninja and Gokudo went.
Namaryu2026-01-09 10:42
The credit should heavily go to the director Souta Ueno for giving the show such unique flavour in direction he is also the person that handled a fantastic adaptation of Days with my Stepsister.
n080dy1232026-01-09 10:47
A show which he also directed at Deen, which surprised me back then too when it was surrounded by ReMonster and Banished Hero on one side and Yakuza Fiancee and Nobleman in the Brink of Ruin on the other.
actionfirst12026-01-09 11:21
Oh no way, Days with my Stepsister was surprisingly deep and mature and visually it reflected that, he's awesome
chum-guzzling-shark2026-01-09 19:31
title sounds like some gooner shit i'd like to avoid but i did like the first episode of Playing death games...hmmm
actionfirst12026-01-09 20:04
It's not at all, mature as in being taken seriously
n080dy1232026-01-09 21:03
Surprisingly not, it's a pretty mature, serious story about two teenagers of single parents, both of whom tend to keep to themselves, who wind up living together as step-siblings in high school trying to sort out living with this new person in their lives. I didn't watch all of it but I believe the first half there wasn't really a romance element at all, and over the second half as they get to know each other as people and as family they start developing more romantic feelings as well.
The stepsibling thing is very recent and relatively late in their lives, and instead of being fetishized it's used as a vehicle for these two people who would never interact to be forced to grow closer, so it almost completely sidesteps the problematic elements of that kind of relationship.
Former_Breakfast_8982026-01-09 22:30
Honestly I love when media actually use the incest plot as something naunced instead of author just being horny or shock value
I think Andy and Leyley did that concept very well imo
Training_Bother_16632026-01-10 17:34
Have you ever heard the saying: Never judge a book by its cover?
detarameReddit2026-01-09 11:10
The animation wasn't stellar, but resources were very cleverly utilized to the point where that doesn't affect the viewing experience. They actually took a lot of shortcuts that happened to work with the cinematic directorial style they were going for.
towardselysium2026-01-09 11:50
Half the episode being literal blank faces shot from a distance sounds awful but it worked so well
YoloJoloHobo2026-01-09 18:34
It was definitely jarring at first. Going from the extremely detailed character designs to blank faces with no line work around. But I ended up preferring it to the usual static characters with moving lips we get. They were able to show a surprising amount of emotion plus characters moving naturally through those blank faces.
Aureus232026-01-09 11:51
Hey! Ninja vs Gokudo was peak and had more frames than OPM season 3.
Training_Bother_16632026-01-09 13:19
The Ninja vs. Gokudo children's arc was great, and the fights were good, especially the one between Shinoha and Gamute, which was the best of all.
JoelMahon2026-01-09 13:01
I don't think quality is the right word, it's done artistically yes, but they're clearly stretching the budget heavily.
opening 110s of e1 are a low quality CG camera pan of a roadway that serves very little purpose other than to fill time. "it gives me chills" well so can a 3 minute still shot of a wall with shadows, blood splatter, and audio only, I still wouldn't consider it quality.
there's many examples in e1, and again, it's fine, it's artistic, I'd prefer a cut down version because personally I prefer the "protein" of the meal over these "carbs".
Apprehensive_Bus33012026-01-09 13:24
It actually strikes me as the world is moving normally after "This story is about deranged world".
Btw that is the opening of the anime, not time filling.
JoelMahon2026-01-09 14:36
> Btw that is the opening of the anime, not time filling
it's both! just like a lion is both a feline species and an African species
Apprehensive_Bus33012026-01-09 14:37
I mean, the opening is fitting the atmosphere :v
MrDerpHerpson2026-01-10 06:26
just watch recaps on YouTube atp
MuffinMan123472026-01-14 16:05
There's no need to fill time when you create a 47 minute first episode. That's already well over a regular run time, they could have cut it out if they wanted to save money and no one would complain about a 44 minute e1. It was 100% an artistic choice id say for 95% of what was done in this episode. The lack of detail in a lot of shots are probably done with the intention of both artistic and money saving. But the rest I would say is purely artistic.
KaiFireborn212026-01-10 11:33
Nofuckingway THAT was studio deen of all
Aerodynamic412026-01-09 10:11
Huh, that's interesting because [Vol. 1] >!Candle Woods!< chronologically happens before this game. Since that game is still featured in the trailer, I guess they're saving it for later?
Lemunite2026-01-09 10:20
Isnt that game a flashback anyway so they can just put it in whenever
n080dy1232026-01-09 10:39
I was under the impression most of the arcs are flashbacks compared to the first one.
Aerodynamic412026-01-09 11:08
So far from what I've read, only Scrap Building (Game 10) and [Vol. 1] >!Candle Woods (Game 9)!< take place before Ghost House (Game 28). The rest of the games take place after that.
tripleaamin2026-01-09 11:31
Yeah as much as I loved episode 1. I don’t like rearranging the games like this in terms of not following light novel order.
Aerodynamic412026-01-09 11:34
Given how infamous [Vol. 1] >!Candle Woods!< is in the series' lore, I wonder how they're gonna avoid spoiling that game's outcome when it gets referenced several times?
towardselysium2026-01-09 11:53
Its not something that can really be spoiled, and all the rumors and vague mythos will just be a hype tool. Experience > Facts
56leon2026-01-10 00:11
It's been a few months since I read volume 2 but IIRC it gets referenced once in Scrap Building and only as a way to \[Scrap Building spoilers\] >!explain why everyone in the game aside from Yuuki knows each other!<, there's no reason that the audience would *need* to know the details until later on. Really, even in volume 1 its placement was kind of......just there. It was a good read, but it felt neither out of place nor placed there deliberately.
Depending on how far they get in the season (they only show the first four games in the full PV, so we might not see Cloudy Beach at all), they'll probably use Candle Woods either as a season end into cliffhanger or a direct lead-in into Cloudy Beach teasing \[Cloudy Beach spoilers\] >!that another psycho shows up and this time the stakes are higher!< .
WaifuMasterRace2026-01-09 12:58
After delivering that absolutely insane episode 1, I'm honestly down to trust whatever the director's vision of how the anime should go.
267aa37673a9fa6594902026-01-09 10:15
So judging by the title, these girls are going to die horribly aren't they?
notanfan2026-01-09 10:17
Hope not
n080dy1232026-01-09 10:38
Well if the first episode is anything to go by, some of them will, some of them won't.
ErfanTheRed2026-01-09 18:28
It's a 70% chance afterall
Dylangillian2026-01-09 19:16
the 70% refers to survival rate btw for those wondering. Not death rate.
-Work_Account-2026-01-09 21:08
thats overall. Much lower for first time playes
GleamingGalacticGarm2026-01-09 10:46
My bet is Green, Brown and White 2 all die.
Kawaii-Not-Kawaii2026-01-09 11:44
White is the MC
SecondAegis2026-01-09 12:55
They specified white 2, so probably Miss top right
Kawaii-Not-Kawaii2026-01-09 13:08
Ahh you're right, I just saw that more like light purple
Aoikyoki2026-01-09 11:49
First episode is out. Look for yourself.
towardselysium2026-01-09 11:51
Nah it says building. I'm sure this is just some kind of art competition with metal scraps
Mysterious-Race-33962026-01-10 07:45
If only it was that simple
sum-dude2026-01-09 17:35
Maybe they're the food.
Emi_Ibarazakiii2026-01-09 19:25
No they're playing (food based) board games on the table
[](#delighted)
dagreenman182026-01-09 19:34
Yes, but also no because it’s somehow graphic and not at the same time because of how artsy it is
IndependentGrowth9942026-01-10 12:43
well, if you didnt watch the anime, i couldn't say so, its rated 13+ on netflix, so nothing too horrible.
SabariGirish694202026-01-09 10:16
Hungry Games
wilkened0052026-01-09 10:17
cute doggo arc
r_renfield2026-01-09 10:19
Kaiji but with cute girls?
thrownawaynodoxx2026-01-10 08:30
More like Saw.
bananeeek2026-01-10 15:47
Kaiji with saw? CSM spin-off?
SnooPets90592026-01-10 15:49
Kaiji with saw but without the gore
thrownawaynodoxx2026-01-11 04:25
Like just straight up Saw, no Kaiji. Only thing missing is the gore and the puppet.
ChoiceSupermarket2302026-01-09 10:21
Yuuki is such a great mc
actuallyrndthoughts2026-01-09 10:32
New outfits for each death game? Hope they keep it going
CommissionKey59062026-01-12 00:02
yes, cosplay is part of the game.
Namaryu2026-01-09 10:32
Honestly I would advise not watching the trailers for future Games to avoid seeing spoilers. Given how episode 1 turned out I believe knowing as little would be for the better of experience.
Nakiwaii2026-01-11 06:14
That's why I NEVER watch trailers for ANYTHING, just bunch of spoilers, even if minor, I love going in completely blind
WorldArcher12452026-01-09 11:00
Yuri?
HuTaosTwinTails2026-01-09 11:40
No
WorldArcher12452026-01-09 11:53
Sure?
HuTaosTwinTails2026-01-09 11:56
Yes
Falsus2026-01-09 15:26
There is no semblance of romance at all in this story, regardless of what the MC is attracted to.
[spoilers]>!She is kinda attracted to girls, but there is no romance at all and the MC actively wants no romance because it would be distracting her from the games and she doesn't want to build relationship when every game could be her last.!<
WorldArcher12452026-01-09 15:35
Skip
66Kix_fix2026-01-09 11:03
The story has a lot of explaining to do. Though even without any logical world building, I'd still watch it for the pleasure of watching cute anime girls writhe and suffer in agony as they betray and kill each other.
Also Momono best girl for two big reasons. Hoping to see more of her.
AdImpressive71012026-01-09 14:13
there are just some stories like that, you don't really need logical world building. but rather an excuse for the author to cook whatever's in their mind. For example, the recently popular franchise uma musume with their complete nonsensical world building but still fire, nonetheless.
66Kix_fix2026-01-09 16:17
I mean without any explanation, there's no reason for me to give any weight to the characters motives and actions.
In the end, I'm watching it just for the pleasure of seeing some cute girls betray, suffer and kill each other. The contrast itself is interesting.
It's more like Danganronpa than Squid Game in that regard. But Danganronpa is an actual game with the focus being on the gameplay rather than the fundamental whys and whats. The nonsensical stuff comes afterwards.
AdImpressive71012026-01-09 16:19
I understand your concern but I don't really think there could be a reasonable explanation for... Whatever this is. Like why all of them are girl and stuff. So i guess we just turn off our brain and enjoy it.
Darkstaby2026-01-11 05:21
This anime feels more like a sadist’s wet dream rather than actual storytelling lol…sure we don’t have a compelling story to root for them but as long as they’re cute why not
AdImpressive71012026-01-12 08:39
what are you talking about? uma musume story telling is peak. I think you mistook that for worldbulding and lore. which admittedly, are completely nonsense in uma musume.
FlameDragoon9332026-01-09 16:06
> I'd still watch it for the pleasure of watching cute anime girls writhe and suffer in agony as they betray and kill each other.
very based and brave to post this lol
BosuW2026-01-10 05:32
Ppl downvoting you don't wanna admit it but it's literally the whole fundament of death game stories to point out the morbo of the spectator at least you're honest lol
detarameReddit2026-01-09 11:10
Are we going to get a brand new cast for every episode? lol
YoloJoloHobo2026-01-09 18:37
We did have a character (other than the MC) who had played a game before so we might have some of them pop back in. But Yuki also mentioned that there are a lot more new players.
CommissionKey59062026-01-11 23:59
yes, i think may be one or two famous seiyū every episode!
detarameReddit2026-01-12 04:13
Ah yes, continuing Battle Royale's tradition of introducing tons of new talents to the industry through a death game.
Hitman71282026-01-09 11:49
I was blown away by that first episode, particularly the music!
Looking forward to more of this
mengplex2026-01-09 12:09
Oh the 10th game? Interesting.
I assumed we would get 29 then 30 etc but this is probably actually more interesting
LeonKevlar2026-01-09 12:12
Yeah I had a feeling this is gonna have a constantly changing cast of characters with Yuki the only one constant.
Training_Bother_16632026-01-09 13:15
I read the interview about the incredible production of Shibou Yuugi by Meshi wo Kuu, and it's clear that the entire production team at Studio Deen, including voice actress Chiyuki Miura, director Souta Ueno, and producer Takaaki Kayama, poured a tremendous amount of love into this project, and it really shows in the incredible quality.
https://webnewtype.com/report/staff/entry-37004.html
https://ln-news.com/articles/124436
Falsus2026-01-09 15:23
Are they skipping Candle Woods?
tripleaamin2026-01-09 15:49
No. They are rearranging things. The Seiyuus from the characters in candle wood are still credited.
Falsus2026-01-09 16:31
Still a disappointment to see that. Directors should trust source material more.
ItzGacitua2026-01-09 16:59
The first episode was well-directed enough that I trust whatever their plan is.
Considering this is right after Candle Woods, they'll probably try to build up hype for it...?
tripleaamin2026-01-09 17:26
The thing is, I thought about potential reasons for why they would want to rearrange the order. Anything I think of, I just think it doesn't add enough to warrant the change.
I want to say I loved episode 1 outside of some minor nitpicks. (Really the only thing is them not explaining preservation treatment, which I hope they do starting next episode.) Like, the anime really offers a unique experience to me compared to the novel.
So I am curious what their plan is, and I am excited. But I would be lying if I said that I don't have concerns going forward.
YoloJoloHobo2026-01-09 18:40
Tbf as an anime only it didn't seem that necessary to explain further than what they did. There's some sort of thing, which I assume is injected or whatnot, which turns their blood and stuff into cotton and allows for limbs to be reattached. I assume it'll get some more explanation later.
From what I'm hearing they're shuffling around the order of the games. So it makes sense to keep the games mysterious and fit the episode.
runevault2026-01-09 22:52
If the mangaka did not expect Candle Woods to be as iconic as it ended up being with the fan base, holding it back for later can make sense. Don't wanna blow the proverbial load too soon. Heck are we sure this was not a decision made consulting them?
Blakex_artt2026-01-09 16:30
Character designs are so clean and unique
Mad_Aeric2026-01-09 18:02
That first episode made me extremely uncomfortable, and I could not look away. This is going to be one of those series that I remember forever, in vivid detail, whether I want to or not.
SYZekrom2026-01-09 20:42
Did not expect such a masterpiece when I watched the first episode
Reflet-G2026-01-09 22:49
"We are not horses. we are human!"
Yuki: "Uhhh.... Neigh!"
xkuclone22026-01-10 05:02
I did not think ep 1 would end the way it did, especially with the connection between the mc and the other girl.
NateMikka2026-01-10 13:51
Wait, this has a video format? I just found the Manga three days ago.
Plane-Bandicoot-92942026-01-12 11:41
Yeah first ep is out on Netflix hehe
CommissionKey59062026-01-10 14:56
yuuki is so beautiful.
XenonX9912026-01-11 02:24
Because I've seen several people call her as if she were a man lol
CommissionKey59062026-01-11 23:57
0.0 man? why?
Lanky-Cod21592026-01-11 05:34
Oh oh oh
Nakiwaii2026-01-11 06:13
If the bottom 2 girls die, I will be scared to watch rest of the anime, since in the 1st episode 2 of my favourite characters are gone :/
CommissionKey59062026-01-12 00:05
I wonder why yuuki get her hair back at last (ep1).
Plane-Bandicoot-92942026-01-12 11:44
Because the game developers return the surviving contestants bodies back to their original state, essentially reverting any damage they underwent throughout the game. I’ve only finished the first volume and so far it hasn’t touched much on how the preservation treatment works… though I hope that answered your question a little!!
Minglebird2026-01-12 10:03
Oh, people really like this one so far huh? I wasn't a big fan, but interested enough to watch another episode. Definitely NOT blown again like 99% of reddit though rn. Ill give it another chance.
Commentaires
New PV: [https://youtube.com/watch?v=dBsZdhIT5fA](https://youtube.com/watch?v=dBsZdhIT5fA)
[https://twitter.com/shibouyugi\_/status/2009550722665419056](https://twitter.com/shibouyugi_/status/2009550722665419056)
[https://shiboyugi-anime.com/](https://shiboyugi-anime.com/)
Must've been where all the frames from Ninja and Gokudo went.
The stepsibling thing is very recent and relatively late in their lives, and instead of being fetishized it's used as a vehicle for these two people who would never interact to be forced to grow closer, so it almost completely sidesteps the problematic elements of that kind of relationship.
I think Andy and Leyley did that concept very well imo
opening 110s of e1 are a low quality CG camera pan of a roadway that serves very little purpose other than to fill time. "it gives me chills" well so can a 3 minute still shot of a wall with shadows, blood splatter, and audio only, I still wouldn't consider it quality.
there's many examples in e1, and again, it's fine, it's artistic, I'd prefer a cut down version because personally I prefer the "protein" of the meal over these "carbs".
Btw that is the opening of the anime, not time filling.
it's both! just like a lion is both a feline species and an African species
Depending on how far they get in the season (they only show the first four games in the full PV, so we might not see Cloudy Beach at all), they'll probably use Candle Woods either as a season end into cliffhanger or a direct lead-in into Cloudy Beach teasing \[Cloudy Beach spoilers\] >!that another psycho shows up and this time the stakes are higher!< .
[](#delighted)
[spoilers]>!She is kinda attracted to girls, but there is no romance at all and the MC actively wants no romance because it would be distracting her from the games and she doesn't want to build relationship when every game could be her last.!<
Also Momono best girl for two big reasons. Hoping to see more of her.
In the end, I'm watching it just for the pleasure of seeing some cute girls betray, suffer and kill each other. The contrast itself is interesting.
It's more like Danganronpa than Squid Game in that regard. But Danganronpa is an actual game with the focus being on the gameplay rather than the fundamental whys and whats. The nonsensical stuff comes afterwards.
very based and brave to post this lol
Looking forward to more of this
I assumed we would get 29 then 30 etc but this is probably actually more interesting
https://webnewtype.com/report/staff/entry-37004.html
https://ln-news.com/articles/124436
Considering this is right after Candle Woods, they'll probably try to build up hype for it...?
I want to say I loved episode 1 outside of some minor nitpicks. (Really the only thing is them not explaining preservation treatment, which I hope they do starting next episode.) Like, the anime really offers a unique experience to me compared to the novel.
So I am curious what their plan is, and I am excited. But I would be lying if I said that I don't have concerns going forward.
From what I'm hearing they're shuffling around the order of the games. So it makes sense to keep the games mysterious and fit the episode.
Yuki: "Uhhh.... Neigh!"
2.5/5 ep 1.