This episode was quite confusing, following the tradition of the previous ones. We got introduced to new characters; we got to learn more things about the huge conspiracy that seems to exist behind Lost; and more queries were created: Is Lost the result of a successful or unsuccessful experiment? What is Souma’s part in all of this? Let’s take a closer look to the episode’s events!

Plot

After the preceding incident with Yuki’s -almost nuclear- explosion, I was ready for something more melodramatic. But no, everything seemed quite tranquil, at least to the surface, and the storyline starts to become smoother and further unambiguous. I finally got to understand some things and now AFTERLOST makes more sense. But Yuki is still boring as hell and her lack of personality really drags the whole series down, yet at least some minor characters manage to save the day. There seems to be a huge and dirty scheme ready to unfold where government organizations are involved. Considering the fact that we’ve already watched the ⅓ of the series, a little time remains for all the backstories and character’s connections to be unraveled.

I’m looking forward to see Yumiko’s true role, since I feel like she’s hiding a lot. Plus, who believes that Kouta just disappeared? Something doesn’t seem right… Likewise, it looks like no one truly dies in this show, thanks to the ‘bad’ guys leaving their victims wounded but still alive. Do they suck at killing or they’re not really that evil? The saving grace of this episode was Ryoko, since she has a nice personality and -in contrast with almost everyone else- a touching backstory. I don’t think she’s really dead, because as I said, NO ONE DIES in this series. Its predictability is a big turn-off, but maybe surprises are ahead of us.

Episode Highlights

The doppelganger: There is Yumiko, a red-haired investigator with a ponytail, always in business outfits. There is also Ryoko, a red-haired investigator with a ponytail, always in business outfits. I think we all see the problem here… The production created two characters so similar that it’s quite confusing to tell who is who in plenty of the scenes. They didn’t even bother to at least change the hair color. Is this some kind of joke?

The stabbing: The word ‘murderer’ might have been written all over his face, but still, stabbing Ryoko was sad and cruel. I really got to like her! Plus, attempting to murder someone AND insult his cooking skills? Damn, that was barbaric. Show some mercy on the rice!

Themes & Trivia

Do I know you?: The idea of secret facilities giving people superhuman powers -if that’s what’s happening- and only one of them manages to escape, reminds me of Elfen Lied.

Comments

The story seems really interesting but it’s poorly executed by the production. They make it very hard to love this series. Although it was not a bad episode, nothing big or extremely important was accomplished, and the word ‘Lost’ in the title still sounds like a prophetic and cheap joke…  If there was better writing and directing, AFTERLOST would be a top mystery anime, but without the proper amount of information, it isn’t meaningful and the viewer cannot get attached. This is the main reason many fans dropped it, and I truly understand it. Yet, Episodes 3 and 4 changed the mood a little bit, making things more clear and suspense.

I hope for this show to finally adhere with the expectations  and don’t disappoint me any further.

‘It wouldn’t be good to overwrite things any further’

AFTERLOST is a low effort which no one tried to make it look good and that’s just sad. It looks like the only reason it’s created is for the game to be promoted. What a shame! It has potential and maybe the next episodes will bring us a quality twist! What is your opinion on this episode?

Don’t forget to check the rest of our Spring 2019 reviews. AFTERLOST is also part of our weekly anime previews.

Shoumetsu Toshi (AFTERLOST)

Spring 2019 | Anime Info | Simulcast