The much-anticipated anime series, Momentary Lily, has made its debut, and it’s certainly a visual feast, courtesy of animation studio GoHands. However, the premiere episode leaves a mixed impression, showcasing impressive animation but struggling to deliver depth in its characters and story.
A Post-Apocalyptic Slice-of-Life with a Twist
The premise of Momentary Lily is set in a world where humanity has been decimated by mysterious robotic invaders known as “The Wild Hunt.” The story follows Renge Kasumi, a young girl with no memory of her past, who encounters a group of five other young women. These girls, each with unique abilities and weapons, are fighting back against these mechanical monstrosities while attempting to maintain some semblance of normal life. The series attempts to blend high-octane action sequences with slice-of-life moments, focusing on the girls’ camaraderie and daily routines, including cooking.
Renge’s Arrival
The first episode introduces Renge as a lonely figure wandering through a desolate city. Her perspective shows the world prior to the invasion, and the sudden destruction of all life. She is found by the group of girls, who are all quite different in character. The group is composed of Yuri Kawazu, Erika Kodaiji, Hinageshi Usuzumi, Sazanka Yoshino, and Ayame Sakuya. Renge’s initial interactions are marked by her shyness and bewilderment. After fainting from the shock of encountering other people, she wakes up to discover a warm and welcoming group. Her talent for cooking, showcased when she prepares a meal, quickly makes her a vital part of the team.
Visuals: A Double-Edged Sword
GoHands’ signature animation style is on full display in Momentary Lily. The action sequences are dynamic and fast-paced, with characters moving fluidly through the environment. The studio employs a mix of 2D and 3D animation, creating a visually rich and sometimes dizzying experience. The backgrounds are often shimmery and warped, blended with photorealistic elements, giving the desolate city an otherworldly feel. The camera work is consistently inventive, employing a variety of angles, including Dutch angles and fish-eye lenses, which adds to the show’s unique aesthetic. However, this approach can be overwhelming at times, making it difficult to follow the action, particularly the combat.
Overabundance of Movement
One recurring criticism is the overabundance of movement in every scene. Characters’ hair seems to have a life of its own, constantly shifting and flipping, sometimes without any clear purpose. This constant motion, while visually striking, can be distracting and doesn’t contribute to characterization or storytelling. The animation style also includes a generous use of lens flares, which, while stylish at first, become repetitive and annoying over time. The amount of detail and effects can make the subtitles hard to read, creating a slightly tiring viewing experience.
Characters: Archetypal and Lacking Depth
Despite the visual spectacle, the characters in Momentary Lily come across as rather flat and archetypal. Each girl seems to be defined by a single personality trait: the “Big Sister,” the “Serious Glasses Girl,” the “Gamer,” the shy one and the energetic “gal.” Renge, as a character with amnesia, has the excuse of not having a fully formed personality, but the others are noticeably one-dimensional. There is potential for character development, as suggested by the interactions between the girls, but the first episode provides little to go on. The characters’ lack of depth and development makes it hard to get invested in their stories and relationships.
Missing Character Development
While the show tries to establish a sense of camaraderie through cooking and downtime, the lack of character exploration makes these moments feel somewhat superficial. There are moments where the characters introduce themselves with simple phrases or quirks, but those appear to be their only personality trait, which doesn’t make for engaging viewing. This lack of depth is a concern for viewers who expect a richer narrative.
Story and Pacing: A Disjointed Experience
The premiere episode of Momentary Lily attempts to blend intense action with lighter, slice-of-life segments. While the contrast between these two extremes is not necessarily jarring, the rapid shifts in tone can feel abrupt. The show doesn’t aim for realism, so the transition from robot battles to cooking scenes isn’t jarring, but the story feels disjointed. The pacing is quick, not allowing viewers much time to become familiar with the setting and characters. This fast pace makes it challenging to fully absorb the narrative elements and could lead to confusion and a lack of connection with the characters.
Juxtaposition of Styles
The opening credits, which feature a mix of heavy metal-style singing with upbeat anime-girl vocals, further highlight the show’s juxtaposition of styles. This creates a surreal, fever-dreamy quality, where anything can happen. While the show’s randomness may appeal to some, others may find it confusing. There is an attempt to set up a mystery about the origin of the robotic invaders and the girls’ powers, but the initial episode focuses mostly on introducing the characters.
A Commercial for the Studio?
Some critics suggest that the first episode feels more like a showcase for GoHands‘ animation capabilities than a coherent narrative. The constant camera movement, unique angles, and detailed animation seem designed to highlight the studio’s technical prowess. The episode’s emphasis on visual flair and effects often overshadows the story and characters, leading some to believe that the show is more about aesthetics than substance. While the animation is impressive, the lack of substance and direction may prove to be a barrier for viewers seeking more than just visual stimulation.
Where to Watch
Momentary Lily is available for streaming on several platforms, including Crunchyroll, The Roku Channel, U-NEXT, and Amazon Prime. This wide accessibility makes it easy for viewers to catch up on the series.
Conclusion
The premiere of Momentary Lily is a mixed bag. Its striking visuals and unique animation style are undeniably impressive, but the shallow character development, disjointed pacing, and overreliance on visual effects hinder its potential. The show does have the potential to grow and deepen as the story progresses. However, for now, it remains to be seen whether it will develop beyond its impressive but ultimately surface-level first impression. The series has potential, but it needs to find a better balance between its stunning visuals and narrative substance.
