Fun and Games and a lot of moolah 520https://i.ur.com/JgOHDmQ.jpg Intro/First Impressions I began to watch seasonal anime again during Summer 2017. I decided to only pick up a few shows because in most cases I pick up too many and end up not finishing most of them. Kakegurui seemed interesting enough to check out. The synopsis mentioned that it was about gambling and seeing how Ive never seen anything like this I decided it was worth a shot. Here are my thoughts on the show. Story 720https://ur.com/WkYwdNk.png Hyakkaou Private Academy is a school where your social placement isnt determined by your looks or extracurricular abilities but by gambling. In that sense anyone can be at the top regardless of who they are. However things get rather interesting as those at the bottom are considered livestock and are essentially dehumanized. This element really adds to the nervewracking feeling behind each gamble. The very idea of rich young teenagers putting millions of yen on the line everyday after school like its no big deal is already ridiculous. Its crazy to think that hundreds of thousands of yen are exchanged everyday at this school among students. Then theres the risk of becoming livestock and being pretty much considered less than human. It really illustrates the power that money has over people and adds a dark tone to the show. Things get even more interesting when the students bet things other than money and of possibly more value. The story follows Ryouta Suzui a rather bland student who is is not that great at gambling. After becoming livestock Ryouta is able to escape his predicament thanks to the ohsointriguing transfer student Jabami Yumeko. What separates Jabami from the rest of the students is that she isnt in it for the money shes obsessed with the thrill of gambling itself. At first its very captivating and tense when Jabami challenges someone to a gamble because she puts on this cute and happygolucky face like she doesnt know what shes doing. Eventually she is able to secure a win when she does away with this facade each time she gambles. Its super cool to see how she is able to figure out her opponent but it often grows old at times because most of her opponents While every episode introduced a dangerous game the outcome was often predictable. Jabami and her ability to figure out her opponents are the main attraction to this show. Seeing her tear apart her opponents is oddly satisfying and a joy to watch but most times it feels like an asspull. While some of the ways her opponents work are entirely valid or interesting the others are just plain bullshit. While this is the case for some of these episodes I dont think its enough of a turnoff to shy you away from this show. The story does have its merits though. Some of Jabamis matches with the student council members are downright insane. Jabami is not the only one who puts up a fight at the academy a few other students are fearsome gamblers who shouldnt be trifled with. I felt the dread along with Ryouta while Jabami gambled. Even though I knew Jabami or Ryouta would win their gambles the path to their victories was uncertain and often filled with suspenseful twists. The constant fear of losing it all when things suddenly go wrong makes this show captivating and its one where you feel like you need to see the next episode immediately. This was the show of the season that would kill you inside knowing that you had to wait an entire week to see what was up next. Characters 720https://i.pin.com/originals/72/7c/22/727c2263750497592cf3556e9df65a93.jpg The cast is really hit or miss for me. Ryouta is as generic as they come. Mary is the classic tsun. The Student Council has the deranged psychopath I kinda liked her the smartass who constantly adjusts his glasses the loli the one with the Brock eyes the girl who pretends to be nice to get on everybodys good side etc. Jabami is very similar to the Student Council president. They both seem pretty chill but are obessed with gambling. Jabami is really appealing as a character because shes able to appear all helpless and aloof but can also get right to the point when she is gambling. Her ability to win isnt necessarily attributed to a large knowledge of the games she plays but also because she just isnt afraid to take huge risks. Because of this it can sometimes feel like bullshit when she wins. The Student Council president is intimidating and is interested in much darker things. Id say shes actually the most intriguing out of the entire cast unfortunately she doesnt see as much screen time. The student council president sees more development in season 2. I think the cast as a whole shines together when they showcase their darker side. When so much is on the line everyone begins to show their true colors. This isnt really a show where you get attached to characters. If youre like me you actually want to see most of them fail horribly and lose all their money. Animation and Sound 720https://i.ur.com/DQqMUOa.png 720https://i.ur.com/uJyZqRo.png The animation in Kakegurui isnt exactly pretty which is more than fine but its good at what it does. Mappa is able to make seemingly normal students look absolutely insane with the sudden shift in animation. The faces of these students take a grotesque appearance. It can be really unnerving and further adds to some of the darker tones of the show. It showcases the idea of being twofaced quite literally. I havent seen many other shows that do this but Im sure this isnt the first time it has appeared. Its definitely a nice touch for this kind of show. 520http://pa1.narvii.com/6523/00ee965c930bb9f59f40fdf4f06d6c645f99cb99hq.gif 520https://68.media.tumblr.com/7d21e790da0d8f63fdf96381903b3612/tumblrosgcy1N3T01qg78wpo1500.gif I was really impressed by the OP sequence. The style is unique and playful with the random fish and fruit in the background. The colors really pop too. Im an OP/ED skipper and this was one of the few OPs I would watch each episode. The soundtrack is pretty decent. Its filled with a lot of high energy electric sounds that capture the intensity of each gamble. Theres even an idol episode and the performance is actually fire. Personal Enjoyment 720https://i.ur.com/MHND6VV.jpgWhen you just cant stop rolling in your favorite gacha game : Kakegurui is really really entertaining. It constantly had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next episode to release. There are a lot of moments that will leave your jaw dropped and times when you can feel the tension come through the screen as if you are there in person watching Jabami gamble. Would I recommend it? Hell yeah. I think most people can find something to like about Kakegurui. To me Kakegurui is something youd watch if you literally had nothing else in mind. Its an easy pickup that will keep you entertained for the entirety of its 12 episodes. Just dont expect something with incredible rewatch value or character development. Conclusion 720https://i.ur.com/gsjhXya.png Kakegurui is definitely a good watch if you dont really have an idea of what you want. Its fast paced nervewracking and will keep you entertained. I tend to watch a lot of slice of life/slower shows so something like Kakegurui is something that is a change of pace and short and sweet. The story isnt perfect and neither are the characters but for a show like this I dont really think it needs to be. Definitely give this show a shot