Guimi Zhi Zhu Specials

This isekai completely blows Re Zero Overlord and the like out of the water both animation wise and story wise. It doesnt have that pedo humor with 300 year old goddesses who look like little kids so they wont touch it here. Sometimes you actually have to think a bit unlike the first two mentioned which only try to be deep. There is no better isekai. Derricks story itself is interestingly presented. The animators of this anime probably dont have lives but the animation in this show is gorgeous. Im not sure if it isnt the best Ive seen in any anime especially looking at Season 1. And now probably for the first time ever the special episodes of an anime have made me even more hyped for Season 2 in the future this anime is unique on every level character development story ,system in this world . Derrick backstory was interesting and at some level anime fans can relate with him bc they don't see sun also including me

Lord of Mysteries returned for only a brief period, but it reminded me of how much I enjoyed watching season 1 back when it was airing. These 3 episodes felt like they went by so quick, and the quality was as good as I remember. Art Style/Character Designs - 9 Animation/Action - 9 Themes/World - 9 Characters - 8.5 Story - 9 Music - 9.5 Enjoyment - 9 I love the art/designs in Lord of Mysteries. The characters are all visually beautiful and I love the era the world is set in. The animation is amazing, it also does a great job at blending the CGI in without it sticking out like a sore thumb. The action scenes were fantastic and it's always cool to see all the different ways the different characters fight considering just how many different pathways there are. I also really love how these episodes expanded on the characters in the Tarot Club, and how it also is growing in numbers adding on more characters. I look forward to seeing who else ends up joining and getting to see the already present characters expanded on even further. When it comes to the story, I found Lord of Mysteries to be confusing at times while watching in season 1, however these 3 OVA episodes were pretty straightforward. I was really invested everything that was going on and it's got me really excited for season 2. I'll probably have to do a rewatch of season 1 sometime before season 2 comes out though. I have to mention how amazing the music is too, it sets the tone perfectly depending on the situation happening within the show. And I couldn't be happier these episodes brought back that majestic ass ending song from season 1. Overall these 3 OVA episodes served as a great bridge from season 1 heading into season 2. Easily a 9/10 in my opinion.

The OVA episodes are good. Nice visuals, same "rush story telling" but do not make uncomfortable like offical ONA's. But there is a big problem which people forget to mention. That episodes are not fit the logic of OVA. Studio aired because probably most of viewers pissed for preview gaps on story. -Derrick Berg arc should be showned on ONA's but instead studio decide meaningless funny scenes. Offical ONA's almost do not mention Forsaken Land of Gods a bit. Yeah i am also stand against novel fanboyism but if you add an important character to your series; you must show the background, lore and sidestory. But official ONA hilariously just mention Derrick Berg in one minute and in that minute he just enter the story and organization. His story should not be make clear on OVA episode. -I almost shocked when i finish the official serie. They literally miss to mention so many important elements. As i said i will not be a "novel fanboy" but for the sake of story, you can not jump cut the story and delete complete characters. Second and third episode of OVA's just try to return this mistake and rush another character story. Last but not least, visuals perfect, no one can deny that. Signifes important characters which their importancy cames from sake of all story. But thats all. Stuido should not has to be aired thats OVA's. They should already been in offical episodes at first stage. Yeah may review a sect of episodes according to offical series seems cruel or not fair but "OVA" airs for expand lore, add new aspects or at least for funny enjoyable stories, not for complete the main stories gaps caused by amateur story telling of studio.

3 banger LOTM specials to setup Season 2 which is releasing in 2027 by introducing us to some of the side characters which will be present in S2 thereby making sure they can focus on the main story while the side stories are covered here. The first episode perfectly setup Derrick Berg and backstory which led us to his first appearance in Season 1. The 2nd and 3rd episodes were focused on the Qilangos arc which introduces us to Fors Wall and Xors Derecha along with a couple of one-off minor characters. All 3 of them were perfectly paced with great animation as well just like Season 1. Note though I usually keep a constant score/ratings for the whole show instead of one for each season/specials.

For better and for worse, this special is more of the same for Lord of the Mysteries. The animation is good, and not in a good way. Once again, I’m hit with exceedingly high production values and not a drop of artistic cohesion. I spoke about this issue more in my review of Season 1, but Lord of the Mysteries has some deep-seated direction issue reminiscent of a Studio GoHands work, that I cannot accurately describe. At the very least, this show is interesting to look at. The three episodes in this special mostly read as missing episodes from Season 1. The first episode is a deep dive into Derek Berg’s backstory, while the later two cover the Tarot Club’s first mission to assassinate Qilangos. Derek Berg’s episode was mostly okay; it’s nice to learn about the world beyond Loen, but I did not find myself particularly moved. The Qilangos episodes were similarly “meh”--as these specials were so separated from season 1, I had lost my fondness for Alger and Audrey, and I didn’t spend enough time With Fors, Xio, or Qilangos to care about them either. Alger I feel particularly disappointed; while I enjoyed his relationship with The Fool during this special, I felt that he took too much of a backseat in a mission that should’ve been his to lead. Audrey was mostly alright--her position as a spectator means she’s working in the background, but since she’s also a woman, I feel a bit miffed that she didn’t do all that much either. While we had some great toxic yaoi potential with Alger and the Fool, and some interesting world building tips, this special ultimately didn’t do it for me. This world is still very interesting, and has inspired an even greater desire for me to pick up the actual books, but I’m starting to get a feeling this is a mediocre adaptation of a good story.