A.I.C.O. Incarnation
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
In 2035, an incident known as “The Burst” occurs at a Japanese research facility, giving birth to the rapidly expanding, consuming, and self-replicating "Matter." Snaking its way through the remains of dams and military facilities in the Kurobe Gorge, the hostile Matter is besieged by task forces trying to prevent it from reaching the ocean and mercenaries seeking the truth behind its existence. Aiko Tachibana lives under constant medical surveillance after being rescued from the Matter. She spends her days waiting out her recovery by making paper planes. Soon, her daily life at school is disturbed by the arrival of transfer student Yuuya Kanzaki, who proceeds to point out a number of inconsistencies regarding her body. Why is she never injured, and why does she suddenly no longer need her wheelchair? He claims that there is more to her existence than she has been led to believe, and that she alone holds the key to ending The Burst. With many factions now interested in Aiko, she and Yuuya must gather allies and embark on a dangerous pilgrimage into the heart of the infested gorge before the net can close around them. To escape the conspiracy moving against them, the pair must face off against the Matter—an enemy that flows like water.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception for A.I.C.O. Incarnation is significantly divided, primarily along the lines of its impressive visual production versus its weak narrative and character writing. While many praise the animation, art style, and intriguing sci-fi concepts, a substantial portion of viewers found the story convoluted, the characters underdeveloped, and the pacing problematic. This split leads to a polarizing experience, where some found it an enjoyable, albeit flawed, binge-watch, while others were deeply disappointed by its narrative shortcomings.
Strengths
- Visually fantastic with high-quality BONES animation and beautiful character art.
- Interesting world-building and technological/biotechnological concepts.
- Solid opening and ending themes, with enjoyable soundtracks.
- Some neat plot twists and a satisfying conclusion for some viewers.
- Very bingeable, making it a good weekend watch.
- Features good female characters in non-demeaning roles.
Weaknesses
- Severely underdeveloped and poorly written characters, especially the main protagonists, leading to a lack of audience investment.
- Inconsistent and confusing characterization for the main protagonist.
- Pacing issues, with repetitive middle episodes and rushed endings.
- Excessive exposition and info-dumping that can be confusing and overwhelming.
- Plot elements and character motivations are often unexplained or poorly defined.
- Thematic explorations, particularly regarding the morality of synthetic beings, are shallow and unsatisfying.
- Storytelling relies on narrative ass-pulls and confusing twists rather than organic development.
- The English dub is considered poor by some viewers.
- The science and biological logic become murky and unbelievable as the story progresses.