Date A Live
Synopsis
Thirty years ago, the Eurasian continent was devastated by a supermassive "spatial quake"—a phenomenon involving space vibrations of unknown origin—resulting in the deaths of over 150 million people. Since then, these quakes have been plaguing the world intermittently, albeit on a lighter scale. Shidou Itsuka is a seemingly average high school student who lives with his younger sister, Kotori. When an imminent spatial quake threatens the safety of Tengu City, he rushes to save her, only to be caught in the resulting eruption. He discovers a mysterious girl at its source, who is revealed to be a "Spirit," an otherworldly entity whose appearance triggers a spatial quake. Soon after, he becomes embroiled in a skirmish between the girl and the Anti-Spirit Team, a ruthless strike force with the goal of annihilating Spirits. However, there is a third party that believes in saving the spirits: "Ratatoskr," which surprisingly is commanded by Shidou's little sister! Kotori forcibly recruits Shidou after the clash, presenting to him an alternative method of dealing with the danger posed by the Spirits—make them fall in love with him. Now, the fate of the world rests on his dating prowess, as he seeks out Spirits in order to charm them. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Date A Live is a polarizing anime with some viewers appreciating its unique take on the harem genre and comedic elements, while others criticize it for its reliance on fan service, shallow plot, and lack of character development. The series receives mixed reviews, with some considering it enjoyable and others deeming it a waste of time. Many feel the show has potential but falls short due to its execution.
Strengths
- Intriguing plot despite fan service elements.
- Good balance of comedy and plot.
- Unique twist on harem/dating theme.
Weaknesses
- Poor writing and reliance on cheap entertainment.
- Unanswered questions and lack of character depth.
- Overabundance of fan service overshadowing the story.