MAL 59205
Clevatess: Majuu no Ou to Akago to Shikabane no Yuusha
クレバテス-魔獣の王と赤子と屍の勇者-
Clevatess
Pixelbuddha
====== SPOILER FREE ======== Really nice Dark Fantasy. ... WELL... Not really Dark, but it kinda goes there. Let's say it's inbetween. But let's get to it. Clevatess is a "classic fantasy medieval" anime. The characters are interesting, especially... well.. clevatess. A nice twist for a protagonist, with clear goals and morals. Not bending them around whenever it would need to pander to some form of audience, no, clevatess stays true to themselves. The other characters are also likeable, but the main strength of the anime is the story. The world building slowly builds up, with a few good twists here and there, and it leaves you wanting to know more. Up until the end it keeps being well paced, the powerlevels are... okay. Not perfect, but not over the top, and these days, that's a win.. Would definitely recommend, and Season 2 is also already confirmed. Might read the Manga even..
Avengers007
I recently watched this dark fantasy–action anime on 12th–13th October 2025, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to turn out this dark after just the first episode. The moment Neru’s backstory was revealed, I was shocked. Without giving away spoilers — the story revolves around a Demonic Beast, an insanely powerful being who once wanted to wipe out all humans (and trust me, the reason behind that is something you’ll only understand after watching). But after killing so many people, this same being suddenly decides to protect someone special, and that’s where the real journey begins. Along the way, a few other characters join in, and the adventure kicks off from there. Even though the main character is overpowered, his full potential hasn’t really been explored yet. In some scenes, it even feels like the creators intentionally made him look weak or inexperienced in combat, which honestly felt a bit inconsistent to me. That said, the anime is good overall — it carries a minimalist story, but when the dark moments hit… they really hit. Some scenes were so intense that I literally sat there speechless. Still, something about the story feels incomplete — like it’s missing a layer of emotional or narrative depth. That’s why I couldn’t rate it 8 or 9. But if you enjoy dark, serious fantasy, then this one is definitely worth a watch. I’d rate it 7 out of 10. And a small tip — watch it alone 😅. There aren’t really any bold scenes, but some moments are so dark and disturbing that you probably won’t want to watch them in front of others. Also, don’t expect comedy or fan service — there’s none of that here. It’s pure, grim storytelling done right.
Otaku_Senpai
I was fascinated from the first episode and was intrigued the entire remainder of the show. The plot just seemed different from the other dark fantasy shows I have seen. The show has good worldbuilding that makes me want to know more and have a season 2 though it wraps up fine in season One. The action is pretty good, with good animation. The power system is interesting too. This is a dark fantasy and has the right visual style. The show has moral ambiguity and even though there are a lot of killings its sometimes hard to dismiss the main players as pure evil. When they state the reason for their action it kind of makes sense. OP song is decent and ED song is better. I was a bit surprised with the ending. It was not what I predicted it would be. My Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Darkzepheran
Damn talk about a dark fantasy! Geez after finishing this, it's left me with tears in my eyes. From an all ready overly packed season full of incredible returning and new animes, this one really stood on a class of it's own. And to think I wasn't even remotely interested in this anime is crazy! Thank god I watched a tiktok on my fyp of Nelluru's backstory to see the potential of this series! Otherwise what an absolute gem I would have lost that day. Now onto what you came here for!... Review time baby!!! What I really liked about the anime, was that despite being a dark fantasy, it's got a essence of realism to it. The stakes feel meaningful, the fights genuinely look like a struggle between life and death, and the characters react in ways that feel real and human. The characters are fantasctic! I really like the groups dynamic, it almost feels like a dysfunctional family once everyone’s together. The chemistry makes them even more likable, since you get to see their strengths, their flaws, and everything in between, which makes it easy to empathize with them. Nelluru best girl imo! The animation is a beast in it's own right! I really like how dark, edgy and overly gore the anime can get. And this is coming from someone that's not a big fan of the gore genre. I don't mind it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it specifically. Yet this anime pulls it off so well that it just works perfectly with the story’s tone. Fantastic job to Lay-Luce for the animation! I've only watch one other series from them and it was "Tomo-chan Is a Girl!" and this is clearly a step up in their game. One thing that’s absolutely criminal about this anime is how "underrated" it is or rather, how "low its popularity" seems to be! It actually reminded me of when "The Witch and the Beast" aired: despite having a solid story and great animation, it didn’t get nearly as much attention, because it was overshadowed by all the overlyhyped returning shows airing at the same time. Overall, it was an good watch. Season 2 is already confirmed, so now the only thing left to do is read the manga, which strangely enough it's in colour? At least on every manga site I’ve seen, it’s always fully coloured. It’s kind of surprising, since I would’ve thought with the mangaka’s art style, it would have made it stand-out more in a black and white palette. How I rank (This is just my opinion): (Inspired by Huang-Teizan) 10 - Bendicion de Dios 9 - This is what PEAK looks like people!! 8 - Weekend killer! 7 - Good 6 - Enjoyable 5 - Either Echii or just enough to get by 4 - I'm just here to find out how it ends. 3 - Don´t bother 2 - "Are you related to Rent a Girlfriend?" 1 - "Even a Hentai has a better story than you!" 0 - Incinerate it!
Pro-Anime-Review
From the very start, this series impressed me with its strong storytelling, beautiful animation, and solid voice acting. It quickly became clear that the animators and writers poured genuine passion into the project, and that heart shows in nearly every scene. Right away, the show hooked me with its energy and quality, and I found myself surprised that it isn’t rated higher by most viewers. Almost every episode felt carefully crafted, with attention to pacing, character building, and world building that made the series both immersive and engaging. Each episode left me eager to jump right into the next, which is always the mark of a well-made show. The storytelling in particular struck me as thoughtful and consistent, with a balance of depth and accessibility that made it easy to get invested. Although the later episodes didn’t quite reach the same high standard as the amazing opening stretch, they were still enjoyable and carried the narrative forward effectively. By the end of the season, I felt that the show had proven itself to be a gem with limitless potential. The foundations it lays in terms of character arcs and world-building suggest that a second season could take it to even greater heights. While it may not be perfect, it’s a series that deserves more recognition than it currently gets. For that reason, I can confidently recommend it as a must-watch for anyone who enjoys well-written storytelling paired with strong production values.
Reddington_BL
[color=green][size=130]Clevatess has joined the ranks as one of my favorite animes! The story was great, the characters were amazing and there was a lot of action! I have to commend the writers, they did a lot of fan service regarding mommy Alicia. She is sexy! I also have to say, I loved Drel's character, I especially loved his voice actor. The actor was PERFECT, ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for the part. Even if you don't like him, you have to admit he COMMANDED your attention. What a phenomenal show, I'm excited for season 2. The only thing I will say, there was one part of the story that really, in the grand scheme made no sense, but it doesn't hurt the show any.[/size][/color]
Okamii_JA
Clevates is a true fantasy story — dark, brutal, and full of secrets. The world feels alive, with deep lore and real meaning behind everything. After so many generic and repetitive isekai anime, this feels like a breath of fresh air — pure fantasy done right. I binged the entire season in one sitting, completely hooked. We don’t get enough anime like this anymore — maybe because people’s tastes have changed, or maybe because we live in a different era now. Back in the ’90s, we used to get more dark and grounded stories, and this show captures that spirit perfectly. Unlike the usual happy-ending, hopeful stories, Clevates feels raw and real. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for season two — I’m genuinely excited for what comes next
chekkit
Clevatess is my big personal favorite of the season! What feels like a hidden gem of a dark fantasy that doesn't hold back its punches and will catch your attention from the get go. I went into this with no expectations and man... I didn't realize how much I've been craving a dark fantasy without extreme edge or torture gore for no reason (Looking at you Kingdoms of Ruin). It brings me back to a simpler time like Inuyasha and the like. Clevatess himself is the most interesting character and one of my favorite types of character in general. High and mighty demon/monster disguising as a human as he judges humanity? Sign me up! His personality is fun and Alicia makes for a great contrast to his sinister demeanor. Nelluru's story is heart wrenching. Luna is adorable and has great potential for the future. The four great beasts are hiding a whole rest of the world from us. There's a whole hidden story beneath the surface that hints to something even greater and promises an interesting plot to look forward to. Either way, I'm excited for MORE and I can't wait to see this series come to life in the next season once again!
morolaflame
First off, Clevatess feels darker and grittier than similar offerings in the genre. From the literal grainy texture on top of the animation, to the very well-executed world building and character development, Clevatess manages to create a tone that is gritty and immersive, pulling you into its bleak yet immensely interesting storyline. The majority of the main characters are very interesting, and while some could use a little more depth to help understand their actions, like Clevatess, the real hook is how the story leaves you wrestling with moral dilemmas, constantly questioning where the lines between good and evil really are.
Adnash
It’s always refreshing to watch a fantasy anime that isn’t yet another isekai, but instead takes a more old-school approach to the genre. It’s even better when you already know the source material and see it adapted not only faithfully, but also with real attention to detail and clear respect for the original story. The Clevatess show truly belongs to that rare and humble group of anime adaptations that get everything right. This review is spoiler-free, so for basic details about the story, I recommend checking out the synopsis. Now let’s go over a few key elements of the show. Visually, Clevatess stands out with a unique, painterly art style that adds to the fairy-tale atmosphere and highlights the fantasy setting. The vibrant colors and illustrations, which look a bit like painted artwork, help build the world and create a strong visual identity. This lets viewers really feel like they’re entering the fantasy world of Edthea. Both indoor scenes and wide landscapes keep the same high artistic quality and consistent style throughout. But this doesn’t mean the anime looks sweet or light. Actually, it’s the opposite. This is a dark fantasy. Luckily, the art style works just as well when showing darker, more violent, or even tragic moments. The show does not hold back from gore or intense scenes when the story calls for it, and these parts are made with just as much care as everything else. The animation offers a good balance between slower, character-focused moments and faster, action-filled scenes. This makes it easy to stay immersed, whether the episode is focused on emotional dialogue or intense battles. The action scenes are not constant, but when they happen, they are well-animated and include a fair number of sakuga moments. I wouldn’t call it a "sakugafest" because it’s not always on that level, but overall, it looks strong across all types of scenes. The music fits the anime very well. It matches the dark fantasy mood and emotional depth, always paying attention to how each track affects the feeling of a scene. Composer Nobuaki Nobusawa created a soundtrack that shifts smoothly between dramatic orchestral pieces and softer, more thoughtful ones. This helps support both the large scale of the story and the more personal, emotional parts. One thing I found especially cool is how the opening theme sets a strong tone with its high energy and emotional weight, while the ending theme brings in a softer, more reflective feeling. This contrast fits the show perfectly, as it also moves between intense conflicts and quiet, human struggles. The music lifts the story even higher and supports the same kind of contrast I mentioned earlier when talking about the art. As you’d expect from a high-quality anime, the voice acting is excellent. Clevatess keeps that standard. All the voices feel well-matched to the characters. In fact, many of them sounded exactly how I imagined when I was reading the manga. I was especially impressed with Clen, Alicia, Nelluru, and the rest of the cast, because they all sounded just right. The characters themselves are well-written and full of personality. Each of them has their own goals, fears, and wishes. This includes both the main characters and the villains. It fits perfectly with the dark fantasy setting and adds depth to the already interesting, well-written story about a powerful being, often seen as an apex evil creature, who ends up taking care of a small, powerless child. This makes the show even more enjoyable to follow. I really can’t recommend the Clevatess anime enough. I know that perhaps my score might be seen as too high by many, but as a fan of the Clevatess manga I think this anime adaptation is simply perfect. It’s also truly one of the hidden gems among anime released in the early years of the Reiwa era. :)
5iv3_
This show was SO much better than I ever could've imagined it'd be. I feel it's been ages since a pure dark fantasy has come out and it being this solid overall. Plot for this series was SO good and so well written. So much lore to be explained and much to discover about the land as well. The raising a child plot-line is always fun so I'm glad that existed here, and with the mixed match bunch of characters we have, that made this extra fun. Animation was quite solid as a whole for the season. There may have been some episodes here and there that could've been better but If i'm being honest, I think it looked great all around. Honestly, no complaints from me. I really ended up enjoying this so much and am so stoked we're getting a s2 :D cant wait <3
Meta-Chronix
Clevatess is quite the hidden gem. I'll be frank, there are relatively few people talking about it online, and that isn't a bad thing. This show definitely fills a nice niche. It's in a medieval fantasy setting with some unique elements. The story isn't some action-packed adventure, and it isn't incredibly deep either. However, that matters not in Clevatess's case. It is a story of finding humanity, truth, and reason in a cruel and oddly organized world. In a genre full of cliches, Clevatess manages to avoid them for the most part in favor of telling its own story. As a result, Clevatess is a refreshing story that does not feel outdated or overdone. It is a fairly good watch overall with fantastic art that contrasts with many other modern anime. Overall, Clevatess is a show best fit for fans of fantasy and magic, and for those looking for something that goes against the general mold for the genre.
Beagle313
The fantasy genre in anime has always been treated at least a bit bad, seving as a ribbon on top of another genre rather than a thing in and of itself. And while using fantasy as just a setting is not bad per se, it's quite refreshing to see a classic fantasy tale of might and magic. Even more so if the show approaches a genre from a point seldom seen in eastern media - grimdark. Clevatess is exactly that and more. The story hook of the show is built around a closed world surrounded by mighty beast no mortal can conquer, a band of heroes chosen by the king with magical weapons trying to kill it... except that's not even half of the first episode. This show makes a number of pivots to shift from one idea to another, while still keeping the quality. Right, the quality. Clevatess welcomes us with stylistic animation at its finest. Usage of old-school animation to depict memories, whole anime feeling like it aired in the 00s or 10s in the best way possible, it's a sight to behold. Add to that well-written characters, an interesting magic and power system, that has something new to offer every episode, a story that makes sense, it's what a show should strive to become. Despite mentioning the characters briefly before, I think they deserve some extra attention. It's rare to see a well-written and realistic overwordly being, and the titular Clevatess is just that. He has goals above a human's frame of mind, powers that he uses as he pleases, a (mostly justified) feeling of being above humans accompanied by a lack of understanding of our realm. And he grows. And so do other characters. Also, it's improtant to mention how unbelievably cute Luna is. A must-protect character done right. Overall, the show proves itself to be a breath of fresh air and maybe a sign that we will get more grand fantasy adventures in the future. I strongly recommend watching the series if you like fantasy, grimdark or a well-written adventure.
SkyBlue1012
Clevatess Review: Finally, a Fantasy That Doesn't Treat Me Like a Brain-Dead Goldfish Look, I love fantasy stories. But not the kind where some random teenager dies via truck, reincarnates as a god tier slime, and opens a ramen shop in Demon King Land. I’m not here for 17 word anime titles or power fantasies where the main character collects aura like Pokemon cards. I’m talking about actual fantasy. The kind with depth, well written characters, moral ambiguity, and the emotional range of a Shakespearean tragedy, not a loot-grind simulator. Bonus points if the story slaps me emotionally and leaves me wondering if I need therapy or just a hug from someone who’s watched it too. So, imagine my joy (and existential dread) when I stumbled upon Clevatess, a dark fantasy anime that didn’t just meet my standards, it forcefully kicked them and slam it on the concrete. The story? Complex and layered like an onion made of trauma and betrayal. The final plot twists surprised me like Pikachu. I was sitting there like, “Wait, we’re doing this now?!” followed by the sound of my soul leaving my body. The music? Unreasonably good. The opening and ending themes go hard like, suspiciously good for a show this criminally underwatched. I’ve been humming them in the shower like I’m preparing for a dramatic confrontation with my own inner demons. And the voice acting? Elite. The main character’s screams hit so hard they echoed in my spine, and Klen/Clevatess? His voice is comparable to unsalted butter in my refrigerator. That smug, condescending tone made me want to stand up and give him a slow clap. Truly unhinged energy, I respect it. The retro art style gave me that nostalgic 2010 anime vibe, back when colors were gritty and character designs weren’t over polished. Sure, the animation could use a protein shake or two but honestly, it fits. It adds to the charm. It’s like watching a beautiful car crash in VHS aesthetic. Most importantly, this ain’t no basic shounen nonsense. There’s no “believe in yourself and punch the villain into friendship” finale. No magic power-up nonsense. No sudden flashback that gives the MC a new ultimate move and a personality transplant. This story stays grim, grounded, and gut-punchingly real and entertaining to the bitter end. And now, here I am, caught in the ancient dilemma: Do I read the manga and spoil myself into oblivion? Or do I wait for Season 2 like a sane, patient adult? Final thoughts? Clevatess is brilliant. It’s dark. And I want more now. I don’t care who I have to emotionally blackmail, we need a season 2 immediately. Please ;(
Flacion
A dark fantasy that gladly picks up the dark subjects in a medieval fantasy world, showing it both brutally directly and sometimes with subtlety. Clevatess follows mainly two characters, the dark beast Clevatess and the hero Alicia. The story revolves around their journey together, Clevatess wanting to raise a child named Luna, to decide whether humanity deserves to live or not. While Alicia is bound as a slave, hoping to tip the scale in humanity's favor, by helping raise Luna. All while war is brewing just on the horizon. The plot of Clevatess has balance between smaller arcs and larger plotlines that is introduced very openly or more subtly. The arc follows the current issue for the main characters which has a fairly straightforward progression to it, with a few twists and surprises in it. While following the current arcs the show also introduces other plotlines, this is done through the characters' experiences and by showing scenes from other places in the world. This gives a great interest in the overarching plot, since you do not just follow what's in front of you, but are also watching how it interacts with the long time plotlines and the broader world. Characterwise a lot builds up around the dynamic between the main cast, since we have a lot of friction between Alicia, a hero of humanity, and Clevatess who might be the downfall to humanity. Both of them are not perfect people in their way, with them missing knowledge, making mistakes, and having to learn from the world around them. When combined with the other characters in the world, where none really are good people, but are more on the grey scale of morality. Does it produce a really good dynamic between main and side characters, where it brings out both the worst and the best in people, which really fits the world. When it comes to the production of the show, is it done with very nice design choices and with great details. Designwise, have they gotten both character design and world design just right, everyone is not beautiful but each has their flaws, and the world is not bright, but instead done with darker or less saturated colours. Animation is great with a smooth quality throughout, especially in combat scenes. They don't reuse too many assets and the background doesn’t feel empty in the bigger scenes. Overall is Clevatess a great dark fantasy anime, which follows both big and small plotlines, has flawed characters and brings a world where the grim facts are not hidden away. So if you like fantasy anime with a darker tone to it, can i only recommend Clevatess.
quezgot
[ Hood Review ] 🔥 Clevatess 🔥 WHOOOAA! 😭🔥 First off gang, this anime is BRUTAL! I’m talkin’ str8 up Berserk-level brutal! If you’ve seen Berserk, then you already know what time it is. This anime does NOT be holdin’ back, type shit! 💀 Between the graphic decapitations, sexual assault, and str8 up outta-pocket madness, this is definitely NOT for kids . 😭😂 One thing I really fw with is the deep lore and them medieval vibes! like I’m not sittin here watchin’ the same recycled anime formula for the hundredth time. The characters, enemies, abilities, and the whole world-building got me genuinely hype to see what happens next! I ain’t felt this locked in with an anime in a minute, type shit. 🔥 And the fights? Yeah, they go CRAZY, Some of these battles are so one sided, you’ll be sittin there like, “YO, HOW THEY FINNA GET OUTTA THIS?!” 😭 What I really fw is the story don’t just pull some random plot armor out the bag to save everybody. When somebody survives, there’s actually a reason behind it type shit! Now, my biggest complaint … 🤦🏾♂️ There were hella moments where I felt like the main character could’ve seized the opportunity and had one of them “NAH, I’M HIM!” moments, but his personality be holdin’ him back. And I’m ngl that had me heated because I wanted to see bro really show out and show everybody what he can’t be fw. 😭💀 The ending of Season 2 definitely helped make up for some of that, though! Overall, Clevatess feels fresh, unpredictable, brutal, and hella entertaining, I love when an anime brings new ideas to the table and has me wonderin’ where the story is headed instead of feelin’ like I’ve already seen the whole playbook, Final Rating: 8/10 🔥
mailboxspiders
Clevatess himself probably read the synopsis, saw the other characters' bland, uninspiring designs, and decided that humanity must die. Or maybe it was the 13 lucky heroes who set out to kill him and barely landed a scratch on him before he returned the favor, but who's to say, really? Clevatess looked down at the 13 corpses, and revived the one hero who landed on a scratch on him. She's his lucky new servant now as he sets out to destroy the 13 heroes' homeland in revenge. Oh and, why not raise a baby, too? Can't be too hard, right? It's a truly inspiring story about giving an anime a chance because other people said it was good and not because it looked like it would be--and finding out that it's actually pretty good. Clevatess is one of the darker, gorier, more violent anime in recent history, with an unpredictable story, memorable characters, surprisingly good animation, and maybe just a touch too many flashbacks (but not TOO too many flashbacks).
HenelyThornhill
Man, wow. This really has that old-school dark fantasy anime feeling where the world is huge, the characters are colorful, it’s violent, unforgiving, and everything is moving at an insane pace. But honestly, the world itself might be my favorite part with how much of the world is still completely unknown. You have the Lords of Beasts, different races, wars, kingdoms, monsters… and there’s still so much we haven’t seen. Clevatess himself is definitely the highlight of the show for me. He doesn’t have the same moral compass as humans so he’s constantly questioning everything and trying to understand how humans think without judging things at face value. That lack of bias makes him unpredictable, and I love watching him slowly move pieces around the chessboard while everyone thinks he’s just sitting there doing nothing. We’ve also barely seen what he’s actually capable. Overall, this is just a strong dark fantasy anime. The vibe is very much: “Here’s an adventure, here’s your objective, now good luck surviving.” The story is still wide open, there’s tons of worldbuilding left to explore, and I genuinely have no idea where it’s going next. I can’t wait to watch season two.
Koogam
This show is a 10. Im going to go agaist the grain on this one, most people would consider a 10 or "masterpiece rating" out of pocket, however I disagree. Here i explain why Clevatess is a a series where 4 evil dark beast lords run the earth, humans are restricted to a single continent unable to fight against any of these godlike beasts or explore beyond the territories. The story kicks off when "Clevatess", the dark lord of the south, decides to utterly obliterate a human kingdom because their "Thirteen Heroes" foolishly attacked his lands. But rather than destroying the rest of the earth, he unexpectedly finds himself saddled with a surviving royal human infant (Luna). Watching a primordial, ruthless entity of destruction accidentally become a reluctant babysitter creates an incredible, unpredictable dynamic. It's such a breath of fresh air among most fantasy stuff and goes out of its way to invert various tropes. Essentially its a story that plays into its own lore REALLY WELL and does its "dark fantasy series" category well. The depth of the show works because no one is entirely safe from consequence or moral ambiguity. The humans are forced to reckon with their insignificance, and the supreme monster is forced to reckon with the messy, illogical persistence of human life. At the story's message is the fact that it never was about good vs evil, beast lords vs kings, but about free will vs a fatalistic predetermined destiny where every pawn is playing its role accordingly. The world feels genuinely perilous, gritty, and vast. It balances high-stakes geopolitical tension, brutal dark fantasy action. I recommend it
Ferdotaku
The lore of this anime is truly exceptional, but unfortunately, it is underutilized as it focuses on just a single region. It introduces a massive world at the beginning only to cast it aside later. This is a shame, especially since the four Demon Lords are all incredibly stylish—not a single one is disappointing. Clevatess himself looks amazing, with an incredible design and a powerful voice. You can truly feel his presence and stature as a villain. The anime had massive potential, starting with a very promising and long first episode that set up a great atmosphere, a compelling story, and interesting characters. However, the show got a bit lost in the middle. Toward the end, even though other Demon Lords like Zakli were stylish, the lore remained way too confined. There is a whole world to explore, reminiscent of the Dark Continent in Hunter x Hunter, making its underutilization a real missed opportunity. While the anime tried to recover near the end—albeit a bit clumsily—and managed to finish on a positive note, it ultimately wasted a lot of its potential by losing its way in the middle and final acts. As for the characters, despite their flaws, they still have redeeming qualities. However, some of these flaws could have easily been avoided. Another major issue is the animation. It started out really well, but the production seemed to lose its way, leading to bland action scenes. The fights lacked stylish choreography and impact. Aside from the beginning where Clevatess was at his peak, the battles were honestly terrible. The bug villain and the magnetism girl were completely underwhelming. The only decent villain was Dorel, but even his fights felt flat and lacked continuity. Instead of having multiple repetitive clashes between Dorel and Alicia, it would have been much better to have just one single, extended fight with high-quality choreography. Pros: * Great initial world-building concepts. * Amazing character design and presence for Clevatess. * A strong, atmospheric first episode. Cons: * High-potential lore that is underutilized and restricted to one region. * Weak, repetitive, and poorly choreographed fights. * Animation that starts strong but degrades to just "okay".