Pumpkin Scissors
Synopsis
Three years ago, the long war between the Royal Empire and the Republic of Frost came to an end. With both nations a long way from recovery, a passionate young woman named Alice L. Malvin leads the Pumpkin Scissors, a unit of the imperial army specializing in war relief. During a mission to assist a village occupied by renegade soldiers, Alice meets Randal Oland, a scarred former soldier with a sordid past and kind heart. Encouraged by the efforts of the Pumpkin Scissors, he joins the team on their mission. During the assault, however, Randal enters a trance-like state prompted by a mysterious blue lantern. As a result, he acquires monstrous strength and decimates the enemy forces. Despite having witnessed Randal's disturbing transformation, Alice invites him to join her squandrant, confident that his gentle nature will prevail and make him a perfect fit for the Pumpkin Scissors. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed, with praise for its characters, setting, and blend of comedy and drama. However, the incomplete ending and unresolved plotlines are major drawbacks. Many feel it had the potential to be great but ultimately falls short due to pacing issues and a lack of resolution, leading to disappointment.
Strengths
- Interesting and well-developed characters with hidden depths.
- Compelling world-building with a detailed setting resembling post-WWII Europe.
- Good mix of comedy and drama, with enjoyable standalone episodes.
- Addresses social class separation and post-war issues effectively.
- Good animation, particularly in mind trip sequences.
- English dub is well-received.
Weaknesses
- Incomplete ending and unresolved plot lines that leave viewers unsatisfied.
- Slowly paced story arcs, especially the longer ones.
- Stereotypical characters and predictable storylines.
- Inconsistent animation quality and sometimes sloppy character designs.
- Forgettable music.
- Moralistic and preachy tone.
- Comparisons to Fullmetal Alchemist highlighting similarities and shortcomings.