The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made (Shinka no Mi: Shiranai Uchi ni Kachigumi Jinsei): Anime Review (Mostly Spoiler Free)
What happens when a fat, ugly, and disappointing student ends up stranded in another world separated from the rest of his class? Of course he marries a transforming gorilla! Find out more about this "WTF" Isekai show down below!
The Breakdown
Criteria
Grade
Summary
⭐⭐★☆☆
Slightly Below Standard
⭐⭐☆☆☆
Substandard
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
⭐⭐★☆☆
No.
Summary Review of The Breakdown
With its Isekai roots firmly in place, The Fruit of Evolution unfortunately devolves into an ever so slightly atypical romantic comedy that uses and abuses shock factor over anything else. Its animation also lacks appeal with most action scenes being single frames with pan, screen shake, and "effect lines"
(効果線), all shoved into one. Unfortunately, despite its veteran cast, this anime fails to break any barriers in terms of interesting voice acting. Each character, while distinct, typically has 3 emotions: surprise, natural, and dramatic; none of which push characters to their limits. The soundtrack is also forgettable with both opening and ending leaving no lasting impact after the first listen.Overall, for those who want something deeper or something that takes itself more seriously, look towards another show like Youjo Senki or something funnier and more varied in jokes, look at Konosuba. However, those who like "brainrot", this falls right down your alley!
Produced by Hotline Co. Ltd, a company
founded in 2005 with The Fruit of Evolution being their first mainstream TV production in 2021. Before this, they had production credits in popular titles such as Boruto and Black Clover.
Criteria
Grade
Summary
⭐⭐☆☆☆
Below Standard
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
⭐⭐★☆☆
Slightly Below Standard
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
3D
This show has a bizarre use of 3D, using it where it doesn't need it or where the animators didn't have enough time or budget to add these in by hand. In Episode 7 alone, multiple instances of random 3D objects take up a large portion of the screen, such as the trophy or grand double doors. Yet, these objects typically aren't jarring enough to completely break immersion for every episode. However, the worst offender of 3D usage comes in the form of enemy hordes. Episode 11 demonstrates this concept vividly, using copy-pasted 3D monster models with the same idle animation for a zoomed out scene, eagle-eye scene. Though this occurrence doesn't happen too often, its still incredibly frustrating to see lazy 3D in a fairly 2D show.
The Fruit of Evolution Episode 7.
There's just a whole 3D trophy for some reason. At least it rotates...
Special Effects
Heavily utilizing magic VFX, The Fruit of Evolution doesn't deviate away from the standard runic style magic seen in many similar shows of the same genre. However, one thing this show did well was timing certain effects for big moments in climactic scenes like in Episode 7 where the screen goes black and white to create an illusion of power and speed or in Episode 3 where the style changes to further a pun.
The Fruit of Evolution Episode 3.
Style changes to pixel art for the joke.
With newer studios, character art typically suffers the most. Some scenes in this show, while not too outlandish, have odd facial proportions that when looked in comparison to the rest of the show or even the next scene, will begin to feel out of place. This effect can compound, leaving you either annoyed, unbothered, or slightly bewildered at the uneasiness of the character's facial balance.
The Fruit of Evolution Episode 9.
While not too out of place, character's facial proportions look off kilter, especially in the background.
Background in the show are extremely standard and commonplace for an Isekai. Nothing new here.
Targeted mostly as a comedy and a slight parody of the Isekai genre, The Fruit of Evolution can seemingly never decided if it wants to take itself seriously or take itself with a grain of salt. Comedy underlies each action in the show, yet there are scenes that take a serious stance with a character's life on the line. This split between seriousness and hilariousness breaks immersion as they don't mesh well together in context of the show and unfortunately makes it hard to watch without constantly skipping through.
- One-dimensional characters can make good jokes for the first couple episodes.
- Absurd and shocking humor works well for the first couple episodes.
- Overpowered Zero-To-Hero Protagonist with a harem of beautiful girls for wish fulfillment.
Despite the sometimes interesting visual style and the crazy plotline, The Fruit of Evolution starts to fall flat the moment you begin to think about anything the story throws at you.
- Characters are one-dimensional, literally never breaking away from their character trope.
- Shock factor will fade after a few episodes, leaving the latter half of the show fairly standard.
- Wishy-washy protagonist is frustrating to watch.
- Standard harem style show, with characters receiving no real development.
- Fairly uninspired main story, following "template" Isekai plot structure but adding in random elements from other genres to seem like a parody or deconstruction but fails at really delving into what makes the genre popular.
- Fanservice can be a plus or minus if you enjoy it or find it too distracting.
Voice Acting
Despite a main cast full of veteran and industry-winning talents, The Fruit of Evolution really fails to bring out the best in these voice actors. Trope-filled character writing and standard references make the show feel extremely hollow, and the voice acting reflects this. Voices of the characters themselves aren't out of place, but emotions and power in the voices fall flat when compared to other shows in the genre.
Soundtrack
With the opening by a cast member and ending by an idol group from hit game Bandori, both songs seemingly fail to capture widespread interest. To an average viewer, neither song breaks away from the "anisong" formula, leaving the listener fairly uninspired. But you can enjoy these songs without feeling like you're wasting time as they both aren't the worst thing you can listen to!
Background tracks and sound effects are also nothing new or unusual for the genre.
Criteria
Grade
Summary
Opening
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
Ending
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
Background Tracks
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
Sound Effects
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Standard
Do you enjoy "brainrot" type shows like this? How would you define "brainrot" shows as? Comment down below!
Thank you for reading!
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