Genki Life Magazine 35 - Spring 2019

eactions, without appearing too goofy or cliche.
Complete with a colorful ambiance and detailed
backgrounds, BTOOOM! is just aesthetically
pleasing all around.
Characters are another thing I love about
BTOOOM! Each character was put on the
island for a reason, and the entirety of the show
lets you peek into each character’s backstory.
Without taking away too much of the initial narrative,
BTOOOM! paces itself in such a way that allows the
viewer to form relations and opinions with the characters
on screen. Through their actions and backstories alone, we
learn what kind of people they all were. One character was
a juvenile criminal and unable to understand what made
good “good” and bad “bad.” This came from an abusive
upbringing and home-life, where he only saw violence—
anything else confuses him. Pit him in a duel against Ryōta,
who was raised in a stable household, and you’ll have an
entertaining battle.
Adding onto that, BTOOOM! tackles sensitive subjects
such as rape, abuse, and bullying. It’s not afraid to bring to
light issues that the real world has to offer. Furthermore,
this is a premise that has been explored before but casting
aside a black/white mentality. There are only lesser evil
and the greater good. Being put in a life or death situation
brings out one’s true colors and BTOOOM! makes excellent
use of that exposition.
I cannot emphasize just how much I love the opening.
Nano’s “No Pain, No Game” is the first song on my
playlist whenever I work out. Another lesser-known
singer, Nano sings her heart out with each song she
releases, and BTOOOM!’s opening is no exception.
The whole one minute and 30 seconds of the opening
just hypes you up for another exciting episode. And
at the end of each episode, May’n serenades you with
“Aozora,” as you get a painting-like shot of Himiko,
Ryōta’s love interest.
Unfortunately, as of right now there are no plans
for a season two despite the manga ending, and the
release of a mobile game BTOOOM! Online released
Genki Life Magazine • Spring 2019
only in Japan. If only they had released it here, it would have
gained a much larger following.
Amidst all the hype for new anime being released every
season, it’s hard to sit back and take a look at some potentially
really good ones that got glossed over. What’s an
anime you wish was more popular? v Brianna Barboza
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