Review of BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense.

Note: I have not read the manga (also spoilers) ~ I unfairly underestimated this series at episode 4 (as I did with Plunderer) so I have made a new review highlighting what BOFURI (the adaptation) did right and what it did wrong subjectively. I would have really enjoyed VRMMORPG to have a lead MC with heavy presence or plot-twisting events such as betrayal or comrades battling a life-threatening condition who coincidentally resorted to playing the same VR game as MC. However, this series is more on the opposite side of the spectrum where teamwork makes the dream work. Nonetheless, BOFURI was - at times fairlyentertaining; there were moments where Maple was badass but most of the time Maple was a team player despite being overwhelming overpowered from the get-go.

Story:
I won't lie, this series is absolutely garbage until the Orb guild challenge where we get to see Maple and her guild, Maple Tree in full swing against the big-named guilds. Maple's defensive capabilities would even rival non-curse Naofumi if they went head to head; However, the difference between my position on both stories are drastically different. BOFURI takes a neutral and more PG approach to an MMORPG where exposure to betrayal or rumors wouldn't entirely endangered ones life - That within itself could be BOFURI's weakness since there isn't any plot-twists or unexpected events that occur that I would get excited at.
Overall, I wasn't really captivated with the plot of a group of children with overwhelmingly power and randomly obtain the power to rival veteran players without explanation kind of spoils the point of having an overpowered character. I personally am into opmc but this series doesn't make the development of the main character and her powers as entertaining to watch as she plummets opponents during matches. 2/10

Art & Sound:
I didn't notice any corners being cut in terms of art and sound; Overall I appreciate the in between frame art style to be consistent and clean (unlike plunderer which was one of its major consequences). VA could have put more effort in expression but I guess since BOFURI is more of a casual series, they might've aimed for that type of style overall.
7/10

Character:
I enjoyed how we were juggling between the game world and the real world and experiencing Maple's life as a high school girl gamer but as the story progressed, so did the focus on her personal character progression. Naturally, attention was averted from Maple and focused on the Maple Tree guild such as their skills, their mingling and socialization with each other etc. I also noticed Maple personally didn't encounter any levelling up after her solo quests and the game where she came 3rd place ( I believe ) Overall character development was fairly good, in a much better condition than the plot but still leaves a lot to be sought after - 6/10

Enjoyment:
In order to fully grasp the series, it is important to see it through to the last episode. This series lacks that type of plot-twisting ending so not much would be missed apart from Maple unleashing an alien-form defensive mecha-bot (couldn't remember the name) enjoyment was simply observing, not many exciting segments like the reviews had insisted and also doesn't leave a lasting impression for you to desire more of it (or at least not me personally) 4/10

Might be harsh because although it is an opmc series, it doesn't address what I personally enjoy so opinions can vary drastically.