While the title "Delusional Monthly Magazine" promises something offbeat and exciting, the anime itself is a disappointment. It relies on cliched fantasy elements and recycled jokes, failing to deliver anything fresh or engaging.
Gekkan Mousou Kagaku relies on a tired formula. The show revolves around finding a lost continent of furry humanoids, but a predictable villain constantly thwarts the heroes. Each episode follows a repetitive pattern: a clue emerges, the heroes investigate, the villain attacks, they win (with empty threats), rinse and repeat. This formula, reminiscent of children's shows from the 90s and 2000s (think Dora the Explorer or Pokemon), feels uninspired and watered down.
This anime suffers from a predictable plot. The storylines are basic and unfold exactly as you expect from the very beginning. Even any hunches you have are likely spot-on. The repetitive nature is only interrupted by nonsensical moments from certain characters, intended to be comedic but appearing childish. Imagine a fight scene abruptly replaced by everyone inexplicably dancing. These interventions disrupt the flow of the story and leave you bewildered, wondering why you're wasting your time on this when there are countless other, more engaging options available.
Disregarding its soul-crushing monotony, Gekkan Mousou Kagaku might be the most generic anime I've seen recently. Every trope is present and utterly predictable: a charming but generic hero, a sidekick whose sole purpose is tired jokes and disagreement, a loyal pet, twin antagonists who speak in unison for some reason, and their mysterious, shadowy boss. The humor is stale, the hero's catchphrase grates, and the backgrounds are forgettable. The setting is a confusing mishmash of Japanese and European influences, with a vintage vibe that feels out of place amidst modern and ancient technology. The characters are shallow archetypes, with only a few supporting players offering a glimmer of depth later in the story. Overall, the cast feels like a lifeless collection of AI-generated clichés, or perhaps written by a teenager (or an AI fed a teenager's ideas).
Despite wanting to find something positive about Gekkan Mousou Kagaku, it's hard to recommend. While there are a few minor bright spots, like some drink animations and character designs, that's pretty much it.
The animation falls flat, especially in facial expressions. Characters often have blank faces that don't reflect their emotions, or wildly overreact when they should be subtle. It's also choppy and uneven. The color palette is another issue. It's way too bright and clashes horribly with the show's old-school setting. Imagine a serious drama with characters wearing neon clothing. Plus, there's a constant barrage of flashbacks to a repetitive 10-second transformation scene whenever someone becomes a Motalian. This show feels like it belongs in the 90s, not 2024.
The sound design and music are weak. The opening theme is generic and cheesy, while the ending theme is forgettable. The background music is uninteresting, and the voice acting is inconsistent. Characters can sound robotic and unemotional, ruining the impact of dramatic scenes. Imagine an intense moment in Attack on Titan where a character should be screaming, but instead they speak flatly. That's the kind of awkward mismatch this show suffers from.
"Delusional Monthly Magazine" might be a niche anime that caters more to fans of furry characters or lighthearted stories. The overall presentation may feel less complex compared to other shows. While the series introduces a lot of background information, it doesn't delve deeply into it, which could leave some viewers wanting more explanation. The ending might also feel simpler, resembling a children's story.
This anime might not be the best use of your time. With a vast selection of over ten thousand anime available, there are likely options that will be more enjoyable.
