Robotics;Notes [Anime Review]

Before I watched this series, I had no idea that it was done by the same studio that produced Steins;Gate. Although now that I look at the title... it is a pattern.

The Tanegashima Highschool Robot Research Club.

I really need to go back and re-watch Steins;Gate because it was the very first review I ever wrote for this blog. It is a bad bit of writing. I gave it a perfect rating. I need to back and confirm that... I expect it will hold up.

However on the subject of Robotics;Notes...

5 out of 5 stars

Kill-Ballad, a phablet game that is very important.

This may not be as exactly awesome and perfect as Steins;Gate (no link until I write a real review) or Attack on Titan, but it is so close that the difference cannot be represented in my rating system. I can only make jumps of 10% (half star ratings), and if anything this is just right below those two.

Robotics;Notes is still absolutely completely worth everyone of the maximum five stars.

Welcome to the Hangar.

The characters are all beautifully unique, with their own charms and foibles. From a hardcore gamer, who cares more for others than himself, to karate girl who is frightened by friendly robots. There is the boy who is hiding his hobbies from his father, and the girl who hides her despair behind a mask formed by internet memes. That is but a few of the characters - each is memorable. I'm just not going to give you the names. You have to watch it yourself.  

Beyond the characters there is the story. Or stories I should say. One of the amazing things that this anime does is weave many stories together into a massive complex tapestry. In the beginning the story seems simple and straight forward, however it takes no time at all to realize that this is far from the truth. Mysteries begin to crop up quickly, and one by one the characters get dragged into them. There is so much to digest that I found myself at time rewinding, and I often paused on screens of dense text. This of course leads into my only little niggle about the series. There are still unexplained events, and unanswered questions at the end. Heck with another 11 episodes (beyond part 1 and part 2's combined 22 episodes) we might get everything answered. Of course both of my other five star benchmark series have serious questions unanswered as well... so that is not really unexpected of a great story.

Something else that Robotics;Notes did especially well was using pathos. Lots of things use pathos, it is one of the three main points of persuasion. The others being logos (logic) and ethos (credibility). Pathos is emotional appeal. So many things try to use pathos however they use it poorly or improperly. Pathos requires construction, set-up, familiarity, and then produces the appeal. I need to know more than just why I should feel for this character... I need to know the character, I need to understand them more than just a little bit. I have to identify with them. This is why pathos when used right is such a powerful tool of persuasion. Sadly so few television shows or movies construct pathos well anymore. However Robotics;Notes did is superbly.

This is a science fiction show about a highschool club that is trying to build a giant robot.
That is the story on the surface.
It is so much more than that.

This is a series worth your time to watch. It is worth your money to buy.
This is a great anime series.

Robotics;Notes. 

AR technology of the future!