The Eminence in Shadow anime was released in October 2022, as one of the rare gems of the isekai genre, it quickly grew in popularity on a global level. But the overused plot of the protagonist reincarnating into a new world where he gets obsessed with power makes us wonder whether the popularity was worth it? In this article we explore if the Eminence in Shadow anime deserves its reception.
Eminence in Shadow and isekai genre
To understand the Eminence in shadow anime, first we need to understand its genre. It is an isekai anime, where the whole plot is centered around an overpowered protagonist trying to “fit in” the new world. Though the Eminence in Shadow is not a completely Harem anime, which immediately makes it better than the other isekai, it does have some harem elements to it. So, this anime is not popular for its waifus but for its plot instead.
Reception of the anime
Despite being R rated which reduces the target audience, the anime is highly rated among most anime/entertainment forums such as MyAnimsList (with 8.32 ratings) and IMDb (with 7.8). The anime adaptation also resulted in a sudden rise in its manga version with over 5 million copies sold by September 2023. The anime is also praised for each high quality animation, which is well-deserved and well accredited to Nexus Studio.
Protagonist of the Eminence in Shadow anime
Cid Kagenou, the protagonist of The Eminence in Shadow, is often hated for being a cringeworthy character. His chuunibyou antics and delusions about his own abilities can be grating for isekai lovers. While we may criticize this anime for its reliance on chuunibyou tropes and Cid’s lack of significant character growth, it’s important to note that the show embraces these elements intentionally. Cid is cringey, but he is also self aware. Cid’s commitment to his chuunibyou fantasies is what defines his persona, and his belief in his self-proclaimed role as a mastermind is a source of humor.
Also read: Eminence in the Shadow: Cid’s True Identity and the Reasons for the Charade
Why is this anime bad?
- Reliance on gimmick: The Eminence in Shadow relies too heavily on its gimmick of the protagonist, Cid, pretending to be a chuunibyou. This can get old after a while, and it prevents the show from exploring its characters and world building system.
- Lack of character development: The characters in The Eminence in Shadow mostly act like NPCs. Cid is the only character who is truly developed, and even his development is shallow.
- Unoriginal premise: The premise of The Eminence in Shadow is not very original. The show borrows heavily from other isekai anime, and it doesn’t do anything new or interesting with the isekai genre.
Conclusion
The Eminence in Shadow is a mixed bag. It has its strengths, but it also has its weaknesses. Ultimately, whether or not you enjoy the show will depend on your personal taste. At some point you will find the plot repetitive, but if you are a fan of comedies and you don’t mind a little bit of unoriginality, then you may enjoy it. However, if you are looking for a more serious anime, then you may want to skip this one.
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