Black Bullet
Synopsis
In the year 2021, a parasitic virus known as "Gastrea" infects humans and turns them into monsters. What is left of mankind now lives within the Monolith walls, walls that are made of Varanium, the only material that can hurt Gastrea. To counter the threat that the Gastrea pose, "Cursed Children"—female children whose bodies contain trace amounts of the virus which grant them superhuman abilities—officially called Initiators by the Tendo Civil Security, are given partners called Promoters, people who work to guide and protect the young Initiators. These teams of two are sent out on missions to fight the monsters created by the Gastrea virus and keep them at bay. Black Bullet revolves around the team of Enju Aihara, an Initiator, and Satomi Rentaro, a Promoter, as they go on missions to fight the growing threat of Gastrea in their hometown of Tokyo. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Black Bullet is largely considered a flawed adaptation with significant pacing and tonal issues. While some viewers found enjoyment in the action and soundtrack, the overwhelming consensus points to a rushed plot, weak characters, and an inappropriate emphasis on loli fanservice that detracts from the story's darker themes. The series is viewed as a missed opportunity, failing to live up to its potential due to poor execution and a lack of focus.
Strengths
- Good action sequences with an epic soundtrack.
- Some enjoy the character interactions, particularly Rentaro's compassion.
- The art style is generally appealing, especially the action animation.
Weaknesses
- Rushed and incoherent plot with pacing issues.
- Poor character development; characters are bland and unlikeable.
- Inconsistent tone; jarring shifts between serious drama and comedic/fanservice elements.
- Overuse of loli fanservice is off-putting and tonally inappropriate.
- The story is unoriginal, clichéd, and borrows heavily from other series like Attack on Titan.
- Many plot points are introduced and then dropped or left unresolved.
- The world-building is inconsistent, failing to convey the sense of a post-apocalyptic setting.
- Emotional impact is undermined by superficial character deaths and a lack of meaningful sacrifice.