Ex-Arm
Synopsis
After being hit by a truck in the year 2014, Akira Natsume awakes to find himself inside a machine following a 16-year-long coma. As he adjusts to the new interface, he is greeted by police officer Minami Uezono and her android partner Alma. The pair shows Akira that his brain is contained inside a device called an EX-ARM—a weapon of mass destruction. Aboard an enemy smuggler ship, the three must escape using nothing but their ingenuity and combat skills. While initially reluctant to fight, Akira soon recalls his brother's words from before the accident. The memory inspires him to take action, possessing Alma's body to fight his opponents using martial arts. Once Alma plugs him into one of the ship's ports, he discovers the devastating potential of his EX-ARM by effortlessly hacking and assuming control of the vessel. Upon safely arriving back on land, Akira meets the other members of the EX-ARM Countermeasure Prevention Team, a police division working to mitigate the effects of EX-ARMs. Witnessing the atrocities committed by those who seek the power of EX-ARMs, he resolves to join the team and put an end to the terror caused by these weapons. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Ex-Arm is almost universally panned for its atrocious animation quality and uninspired storytelling. While a few viewers appreciate the effort made despite its flaws, the overwhelming consensus is that the anime is a disaster on nearly every level. It is often cited as an example of how not to make an anime, with some finding entertainment value in its sheer awfulness.
Strengths
- Some reviewers appreciate the effort put into the animation despite its flaws.
- The story, while not exceptional, has some interesting concepts and mysteries.
- Voice acting performances are considered better than the anime deserves by some.
Weaknesses
- The animation is overwhelmingly criticized for being horrendous, with poor CGI, inconsistent quality, and bizarre visual clashes.
- The story is considered uninspired, cookie-cutter, and riddled with tropes.
- Characters are seen as flat, one-dimensional, and lacking emotional depth.
- Many plot points are left unresolved, and the dialogue and script are poorly written.
- The direction and production team lacked experience, leading to a disastrous final product.