Liar Liar

If you've been anxiously waiting for the second season of No Game, No Life for a decade, and you're willing to settle for a cheap alternative that vaguely brings back those nostalgic vibes, then Liar Liar (unfortunately without Carrey) might just hit the spot. Admittedly, this series falls short in the creativity department, with only a handful of competitions or duels managing to capture interest (the "hide and seek" game in the building, and the showdown between Hiroto and Noa were highlights for me). Plus, you might find yourself questioning the protagonist's sudden strokes of genius during these challenges. It will probably still manage to hold your attention and you probably won't get bored because there is always something happening. The characters may also seem familiar, featuring the usual suspects: a seemingly generic protagonist who relies more on cunning than brilliance, a white-haired unemotional maid replacing the white-haired unemotional sister, and a redhead who starts off as an adversary but eventually becomes the protagonist's closest ally. The cast tends to come off as flat and easily decipherable, kind of like after a lobotomy — especially when the main characters' biggest secrets are unveiled within the first episode. The animation doesn't exactly shine either, with background characters resembling paper cutouts. While this might be a stylistic choice to emphasize the importance of the main characters, it does come off as odd. Let's face it — this anime isn't breaking any records. It serves more as a reminder of the imaginative and emotionally engaging world of No Game, No Life, offering little beyond a "meh" and occasional moments of slight stupidity. That said, it's watchable enough; I didn't find myself bored, and there were instances where plot twists or concepts caught my attention. Overall, it's a middle-of-the-road experience, earning a 5/10. (16/09/2023)