Review of K
So, I take back what I said in my review in Charlotte--the show was just badly written. So... I remember I first watched this because I confused it somehow with K-On a few years ago and when I saw it again on Netflix, I decided to give it a shot even though I was so confused when I watched the first episode because I had no idea what was going on. At the time of writing, I actually finished the 2nd season a few weeks ago after watching the movie after the 1st season which serves as an epilogue--an important part. I've always said that NoGame No Life is my favorite anime whenever I thought about it, but K definitely breaks that.
Story (10)
The two genres I avoid are action and adventure since it prolongs a lot to a point that it becomes stale (which is why I stopped watching Fairy Tail). Possibly because this was meant to be shorter than that, it's well done.
People may complain about too much mystery, but my first reaction to finishing the second season was "so season one was a set up to the next." It isn't the newest plot, but it is in no way stale. I had no complaints in the beginning or the end (or the middle parts).
Pacing is apparently too slow in the beginning and too fast in the end, but I didn't see it that way. I found the pacing nice since it introduces characters and the major plotline. I have no idea what you, the viewer, may look in a show when it comes to story, but this is a show I would watch again even though I know what happens and would choose this to show friends who don't watch too much anime to watch (of course given they don't hate this genre).
Unlike my other reviews where I got annoyed at the ending of the shows, this is one of the few anime where I enjoyed the ending and was deeply satisfied by it (referring to Season 2, but Season 1 had a good ending from memory).
Art (10)
Okay, except for the 3D parts (which I understand since I wouldn't want to draw those scenes either), the art is amazing. I may or may not be conflating great art with bright colors (like No Game No Life), but the animation is smooth, the designs are sharp, and aesthetics are on point.
If comparing to Fairy Tail and No Game No Life (as much as it hurts to say it), when it comes to fluidity of animation and character's shapes, this beats it. For slice of life watercolor-like art, this is on the same level as them, if not better. I would say that I would prefer the art of this anime in comparison to Mekakucity Actors or Blood Lad.
I can't see any competitors in 2012 for art honestly. Especially since it was from 2012 while beforehand, we had things like Angel Beats, Fruits Basket, and Fairy Tail (love them, it's just that when looking back, it seems very choppy).
Season two honestly had really good animation, but I do have a question on the gleaming lights of the buttons that seemed to be a major point for the Blues as well as the *ahem* certain physics of one character in particular... (why now did you choose to do this?! I understand she's the only adult female, but it was too unexpected)
Sound (10)
When I heard Mikoto's theme, I was captured immediately. The sounds fit perfectly with the alternative history futuristic setting. I would like to make a comparison to Mekakucity Actors if possible (though I watched that such a long time ago) since I remember it having a similar vibe (or not--I'm planning on watching it later this week).
If you're looking for a great soundtrack to listen to, I honestly think K would be a major contender. I'm not crazy on the OP and ED of most anime (mostly since I skip them), but I remember really liking the beginning and ending. No Game No Life (my holy grail of anime at this point) was my favorite OST, beating Your Lie In April and My Little Monster, but seriously K beats all of them for being my favorite.
Character (9)
Although in season 1, character development isn't seen greatly since there's no need (in the sense that it focuses on the story of one person and the conflicts are based on our protagonist). But the range of characters is not boring. Although you can see the personalities as being generic, I actually think they were well-made considering the different clans and the type of people they make them, with one character being most interesting in his switch of clans.
But, the whole cast isn't made of certain archetypes for no particular reason (or at least in my opinion). Comparing it to Fairy Tail's enormous and colorful cast with their own weird common sense, K is a lot more tone downed. Characters don't do crazy things to do crazy things (or at least not in the first season). Honestly, only about 15 characters are important in the whole show, which means a lot. Although the past of all of them isn't known in the anime, flashbacks and character interaction will tell the relationships between all of the characters. Because of the nature of the show, thrusting our MC into a new circle of characters (like in Fairy Tail and Aria the Scarlet Ammo--defined character bonds) with a major problem, the whole history can't be shown.
The character dynamics between all of the various characters are the most interesting. Friends, enemies, "lovers(?)", and follower. It follows a typical shounen "always listen to the leader," but it's in a way that I'm not even annoyed at it
Overall (10)
So, I watched this in the order of Season 1, the first movie (really the epilogue), and Season 2 with probably months intervals of watching. Story is interesting and holds you in, the graphics and character design is a masterpiece to me, sound is impeccable, and characters and (especially) the relationship between characters are most intriguing. If anyone is trying to watch anime from every year, this is the 2012 anime that you shouldn't give up because it's old.