Review of Redo of Healer
English is not my native language, and this is my first review, so it's going to be pretty bad. Instead of typing a lengthy review, I think it would be better to do it in a Q&A fashion. [P1/MC refers to protagonist Keyaru, A? refers to antagonists, or Keyaru's harem in short] Q1: Why 9/10? A: In terms of art, the music, and all the other aspects of it, my honest rating is 6-7/10. However, seeing substantial hate towards this anime, I think a 9 would be fair. I tend to give a higher score towards anime that has unique characteristics. I gave Houseki no Kuni a 9 forits combination of 2D-3D CGI, a 7 to Pop Team Epic for its unique flow. Until now, there wasn't an Isekai anime that had the elements of "revenge" (not exactly that but I'm explaining this later), harem, ecchi and an overpowered protagonist in it, or at least I am not aware of. This anime sparked up quite a fierce discussion and frankly speaking, I think the anime is fine and totally viewable.
In terms of plot, it's not generic.
If you like generic ones, then go watch Mushoku Tensei, Shield Hero etc.
If you like comedic ones, then Konosuba would be one.
The plot sparked my interest. I am interested to see how far the writer plans to exploit this setting and turning P1 into a god which he shouldn't have been.
Judging this anime by its plot is not preferable since the author's intention wasn't to make this an anime with thick plot, but to play around with the setting and see how broken he could turn P1 to be.
With that said, plot is mediocre, art is mediocre, OP/ED is ok. It's not the best anime out there but it's not generic nor cliche as well, so 6-7/10.
Q2: Why isn't this show a hentai?
A: Well first, it is not us to decide whether it is a hentai or not. It is quite odd that didn't make it into one, but it's not us who's making it. Even if the plot seems hentai-like, there is still some storyline going on. Though there are plenty of time allocated for sex scenes, I would not say it covers a large enough portion to be categorized as hentai. In fact, they cover up things enough that by definition it cannot be categorized as hentai.
If the actual sex scenes are added, it is going to be a decent hentai. If the sex scenes are removed and replaced by some other things, or add in an extra arc, it can be a decent anime. It's kind of in the gray zone, so I don't think there's any point of discussing this.
Q3: How should one approach this show then?
A: There is one thing I don't understand: Why would the categorization of a show changes ones view towards it? So if it is anime you're giving it a 1/10 but if it is made into a hentai you're giving it a 8/10? It shouldn't work that way.
If you are reading MAL reviews solely without watching this, it's hard to tell whether this show is really "that bad" or not. Just spare 4-5 hours to watch the whole series. If you can't stand P1 having sex in every episode, skip them, they aren't that important. Cutting OP, ED, sex scenes and this series takes like 3-3.5 hours to finish.
After watching the show, some may hate it and question moral values, some may not enjoy it, some feels satisfied seeing A? being ploughed through like nothing. Even if the show is horrible, I personally like to turn it into a meme, I won't hate on it too much. It takes time to produce a full 12-episode anime, so I would pay some respect to the creators.
Q4: Do you prefer this instead of a proper "revenge"-themed anime?
A: Now you see, I can't stand an anime with bloody/killing scenes in every single episode. I'm sure there are people that enjoy those. However, we have to understand that "killing" is not the only nor the hard-defined way to take revenge. For me, I would like it to be:
(1) Psychological, lots of planning involved, complicated strategies/plot (or)
(2) It can get physical, but the fighting better be epic
Redo of Healer has neither of those aspects, but I still watched it regardless, which is explained in Q5.
Q5: Is this show really about "revenge"?
A: I'm going to use the word "revenge" a lot in this review, but no. ใใ็ดใ means "to redo", not "to take revenge". P1 attempts to redo 2 things:
1) Characters, hoping they get cooperative and help him out
2) Society, hoping to take over the world and change everything to his likings
Thus, we don't need to treat this as a revenge-themed anime. The reason I'd watch this is because it falls into the 3rd category:
(3) Switching off my brain, OP MC finishing off everyone with ease, GGEZ (Explained in Q6)
Q5^: (Subjective opinion)
P1 did use the word "revenge" a lot, but it's obvious that that's not the only thing he's trying to achieve. So yes, there is a large portion of "revenge" in it but I wouldn't use this as a criterion to judge this anime.
Q6: How would you categorize this anime? Like what genre?
A: If any of you are aware of anime like "Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni", animes where MCs getting so OP that they can single-handedly finish off other antagonists are getting more prominent. The true way to enjoy these is to switch off your brain, sit back, and enjoy people getting wrecked.
For example, you won't say "One Punch Man" is a bad anime, even though Saitama can one-shot everyone, because that's exactly where the fun comes from. That's the kind of mentality one should have when watching "Redo of Healer"
Thus, this by itself is a whole new genre. It shouldn't be compared to another Isekai or a "revenge"-themed anime, since this fuses too many elements and is so different from the others.
Q6^: (Subjective opinion)
A: When there is an anime with an MC with substantial power, what I am looking for is him/her utilizing it properly. I don't feel comfortable watching an anime with a broken MC but doesn't know what he's doing.
P1 utilizes his broken "Heal" ability, plans his revenge well enough that gave him control of/killed several A?. P1 might not be using his abilities optimally, but at least he has a brief idea of what he's trying to achieve and how's he going to do it.
These anime are more enjoyable if **you don't know the MC's true ability at the beginning**. If you knew every single one of them already, what's the point of watching it?
Q7: Problems of this show.
A: (1) Monotonous scenes, plot in the first 9-10 episodes
Lots of people complained about this, and I agree to that. The anime hasn't progressed a lot from the shock provided in Ep1. Hard-defining "sex = the only way of revenge" and "sex = only way of getting satisfaction" is a problem. (It seems like the writer has run out of ideas) But it can also be the producer trying to add fillers before the finale. (Comparing to the first 9-10 episodes, Ep11 is kinda nuts, so that might be their plan)
(2) Insufficient world-building, or explanations of magic/combat systems
They didn't explain any of this, but these won't add anything to the plot either, since it's not a proper Isekai anime like "Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken". So mixed feelings about this.
(3) Time allocation/buildup of A?s
I agree. The author apparently did not spend time on explaining how P1 interacts with A1, A2, ... after capturing them. Things goes swiftly and there's new characters one after another. I feel like that happens to most 12-episode anime, where there's just not enough air-time to fill in the gaps.
It's hard to strike a balance between sufficient buildup for each new characters, and to completing the main arc in 12 episodes. I would say that if they cut the sex crap, sparing 3mins/ep can make a slight difference.
Another thing is there need not be any buildup of A?s after their capture, because it's obvious that Keyaru adds new girls into the harem every once in a while, and he doesn't have any strong attachments towards the other A?s other than "treating them every night".
(4) Characters are unlikeable/bland
I won't say that's true. But the fact that there's little to no development nor explanations make it seems like so. Characters generally have a different background story, but just weren't explicitly portraited as the producers decided to add, you know, "other scenes" into the anime.
(5) Unrelatable
This is all fantasy and if any of the scenes you found relatable, that doesn't sound fine.
(6) Overpowered P1 and unjustifiable skill changes
True. I got confused on how P1 managed to "tweak" his Heal ability to any ability he wants. That's some points taken off. However, I would argue that the anime won't be as "exciting" if P1's ability has been fully explained.
If you know his "heal" ability is actually a mind-control, physical heal, imitate heal, morph, skill-learning hybrid ability from the very beginning, that kinda spoils everything. The point of the "broken-MC" anime genre is reveal to the viewers bit by bit MC's actual ability. It's not fun to watch if I already know what P1's plan was.
Q7^: (extremely subjective opinions)
(1) What P1 does is not socially acceptable, but from the reaction of A? after the brainwashing, and the actual background of the anime, everything makes sense. Using rules/laws in the modern society to judge what P1 did is inappropriate.
(2) Again, not good to change your opinion towards this by arguing whether this is an anime or a hentai.
(3) I don't particularly like the view of "I'd watch hentai if I wanted to fap, I'd watch anime if I wanted plot". What if I don't want to fap but I want both elements in an anime?
(there are many more but I'll add on that later if I have time)
Q8: Some other opinions.
(1) Funny how after all the hustle it ends with a calm ED to literally "heal" you guys.
(2) Has "Goblin Slayer" inspired others to start with a shocking 1st episode?
(3) Watching this doesn't make you "like to perform rape" or "hate woman", that's like saying playing FPS games makes you aggressive which isn't necessarily true.
(4) How did this turned into an anime before any other light novels? (Unbelievable but I'm not complaining)
(5) Did PTA complained about this?
(6) If Mahou Sensou is a 1, this can't be a 1, at least the story makes sense
(7) Ep11: intense 'revenge' intensifies
(8) Genre: Isekai, Comedy, Harem, Ecchi. Yes you heard me, comedy is one of them