'No Game No Life' Is Sheer Awesomeness

No Game No Life debuted in 2014 with an 11-episode season.  It went under my radar then, but recently, it was highly recommended to me by my sister (who was also the one that introduced me to Haikyuu!).  So I checked it out.

The story centers on 18-year-old Sora and his 11-year-old stepsister Shiro.  Both are agoraphobic shut-ins, but both are also geniuses proficient in deduction, logic, strategy, tactics, calculation, and other mental powers.  And where do they apply their preeminent intellects?  Playing games, of course!  Together, they become known in gaming circles as the legendary “Blank”, as they win every game they play – even if a handicap or a cheat is used against them.

Their remarkable domination of games catches the attention of the god of another world, Tet.  After a chess match, he transports them to his world, Disboard, because he knows they are fit to be in it.  It’s because Disboard is governed by a powerful spell called “Ten Pledges”, which prevents its inhabitants from harming one another and forces them to resolve conflicts by gambling through games.  Thus, in a world that revolves around games, Sora and Shiro begin to thrive.

I’ve seen dozens of anime involving characters being transported to a fantasy world, but this is truly one of the freshest uses of the trope.  It’s supremely thrilling and riveting to watch.  Binging its eleven episodes was such a breeze.

Batman.  Code Geass’ Zero.  Eyeshield 21’s Hiruma.  Like those three aforementioned characters, Sora and Shiro are also defined by the statement, “There’s always a plan.”  They’re always thinking several steps ahead.  For them, the game is virtually good-as-won even before it starts.  Of course, when they are playing games, there are moments where it seems that they are losing, that their opponent has the upper hand.  This is, of course, to add necessary tension to the narrative.  However, in the end, it would be revealed that, from the start and all through the game, all have generally gone according to their plan.

In relation to this, the games being played – especially the significant ones – are very creative and involve a good amount of exciting twists and turns.  And it’s a lot of fun seeing them maneuver through them and come out on top.

The worldbuilding is brilliant.  As a fantasy world – with its “Ten Pledges” rules, history, ethos, geography, politics, and social structures – Disboard is one of the most intriguing I’ve ever encountered.  In addition, it has a rich diversity of races, collectively known as the Exceed.  Aside from humans, there are elves, animal people (“Werebeasts”), deities (“Old Deus”), angels (“Flügel”), and others – sixteen in all.

The escalating nature of the storyline is another exhilarating characteristic of this anime (mild SPOILERS in this paragraph). The endgame is for Sora and Shiro to challenge Tet, the god of Disboard himself (presumably, with his godhood on the line).  But before that is achieved, they must first conquer all sixteen races (representing 16 chess pieces).  So it starts out with them working to take the throne of Elkia – the sole human kingdom, and the weakest.  Once that is achieved, they begin to rally humanity (called “Imanity” in this world); gather resources, allies, and information; and gradually expand.  The first season ends with them succeeding with their first major conquest of another race.  The assumption, of course, is that future seasons will see them conquering the rest.

I only have two problems with this anime.  First, it can get awkward and pervy at times.  Having seen tons of anime, I understand that ecchi or fan service is a staple element.  Still, I can’t help but cringe at some aspects of it, especially whenever Sora and Shiro give off a hint of incest-y vibes.  Second, four years have passed since it debuted, and yet, there’s still no season 2 in sight.  It’s infuriating.  I want more.

But other than those, I found No Game No Life to be sheer awesomeness.