I don't think think this deserves the score it has. I came into this with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The first twenty minutes or so I'll admit, are janky. A lot of the monster is cheap and un-scary, the animation is mediocre and the character's look like they came out of a shoddy 'how to draw manga' book, the premise is unoriginal. I think way it shines is in how it does its premise and how it plays with viewer expectations. Most horror comes with an expectation of tragedy, death and suffering, and roots search has its share of that, but it's cut throughbut this extremely sweet and tender optimism I don't think I've seen in any other story like it. There's this theme of second chances and perseverance throughout it, which is contrasted by the theme of divine judgment and punishment.

The three central characters, Moira, Buzz and Scott were predictable though enjoyable. Moira and Buzz's romance was quite sweet at times. Another review criticises how quickly they get together but I think it added to the very tender, hopeful tone.

In some ways it does feel a bit unrealised. It's a bit cramped, I think with a longer run time it could've maybe fleshed itself out a bit more, spend some more time with its characters, expanded on some of its themes a bit more, but for what it is I think Roots Search is neat. It's a fun OVA that deserves your time.