Infinite Dendrogram

Have you ever wanted to escape the real world and live your wildest fantasies? Imagine being immersed in a fantasy world where you fight off bad guys and save innocent people. Thanks to the stunning graphics and realistic gameplay available to us now, we feel like we are living in a fantasy world. Let this anime address the question.

The anime TV show "Infinite Dendrogram" consists of 13 episodes. It was directed by Tomoki Kobayashi, with animation production by NAZ, series composition by Yūichirō Momose, character design by Masahiko Nakata, and music composition by Kenji Hiramatsu. It was initially broadcast from January 9th to April 16th, 2020, on AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, and SUN.

Funimation obtained the license for a simulcast and simuldub of the series, but after Sony acquired Crunchyroll, the show was transferred to Crunchyroll. The anime series, a beautiful piece of work, was adapted from a light novel series with the same name. It falls under the genres of action and fantasy, with a critical theme of video games. Each episode lasts 23 minutes, and the anime is rated PG-13 for viewers aged 13 or older.

In 2015, "Infinite Dendrogram" was first published as a free-to-read web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō by Sakon Kaidō. Hobby Japan published the novel's first volume in print in November 2016 with Taiki's illustrations. As of March 1st, 2023, the novel has been published in 20 volumes.

The J-Novel Club has granted a license for the light novel series. Furthermore, the light novel was adapted into a manga series by Kami Imai and published by Hobby Japan. The manga has eleven published volumes as of March 1st, 2023. J-Novel Club has obtained the license for the manga as well.

The story is set in the year 2043, when the virtual reality MMORPG game "Infinite Dendrogram" gets released, allowing players to experience a perfect simulation of their five senses. Two years after the game's release, Reiji Mukudori, who later goes by "Ray Starling," joins along with his seasoned brother Shuu and his Embryo companion Nemesis.

As Ray navigates the world of Infinite Dendrogram, he learns to create a new life for himself and encounters various friends and foes. This anime, described as a combination of "Sword Art Online" and "Log Horizon," feels like it's trying to replicate those shows' fully immersive gaming worlds. As with many other VRMMO anime, little is new here, which can be frustrating after decades of similar content.

This series stands out by introducing us to a unique concept: the game's non-playable characters (NPCs) actually learn and evolve over time. This evolution could lead to a rebellion against their masters, who are the only reason for their existence, and cause a disruption in their lives, despite their inferiority in strength and development. This rare and intriguing concept sets this anime apart from others in the genre.

The main character of the series is Ray Starling, who fits the mold of a typical Isekai protagonist. He is portrayed as an absolute white knight without any other notable personality traits and possesses a set of overpowered abilities, a common characteristic of these protagonists. While his brother initially introduced him to the game, he eventually fell in love with the notion of a world where anyone could realize their aspirations.

There isn't much else to say about him beyond this. Nemesis is Ray Starling's "embryo," which is essentially a summon in the game world of Infinite Dendrogram. In this game, every player possesses an embryo that falls into different classes and rarities. Nemesis is classified as a "Maiden" type embryo, allowing her to take on the appearance of a cute anime girl, a genuinely overused trope. However, her proper form is that of a weapon, with the specific piece of equipment changing throughout the series. As Ray's companion, Nemesis accompanies him on his adventures and assists him in battles.

Ray's first mission leads him to defeat a very high-level monster, which he manages to accomplish with the help of Nemesis, his sword. Nemesis was created out of Ray's desire to save someone. So as the story progresses, Ray gains strength and experience by facing various challenges and encounters. Mysterious phenomena also occur in the game world, and a primary antagonist drives the plot no less.

A group of already solid characters and new friends who have the potential to become strong support the main character on his journey as he battles the evil he encounters. Shu Starling is Ray's companion throughout the entire series. Shu is Ray's older brother and a skilled player in the game. He helps Reiji get started in the game and guides the series.

Ray Starling, Nemesis, and Shu Starling drive the plot; Liliana Grandria, Milianne Grandria, and Cheshire are supporting characters who add mystery and intrigue. Marie Adler is an interesting playable character because she investigates how invested the player can become in a non-playable character.

The Grandria family, of which Liliana is a part, is among the most powerful in the game world. Milianne is Liliana's younger sister and a skilled gamer. In the game, Cheshire makes mysterious appearances from time to time. Marie is a manga artist who cannot get her ideas down on paper. To overcome her block, she finds Infinite Dendrogram and plays as the protagonist of her manga, Marie Adler. After completing Tenchi's training program, she got the Death Shadow Superior Job, and now she kills people just like her player-killing manga character.

While the characters do develop throughout the series, the show tends to explain every action they take, which can ruin the immersion and leave little room for world-building. However, the final episode provides an excellent conclusion to the story.

The animation quality of the series is solid, and the use of CGI is relatively minimal and not overly jarring. The voice acting is adequate, although not particularly outstanding. The sound design is also average, with the opening theme feeling out of place with the show's aesthetics, while the ending music feels more fitting. Sadly, the general sound effects used in the series are unremarkable and plain. The opening theme song, "Unbreakable," is performed by Aoi Yūki, while the ending theme song, "Reverb," is performed by Aya Uchida.

Infinite Dendrogram has a few pros going for it. The show delves deep into the intriguing concept of an infinitely replayable video game world. The game's setting and mechanics are both well-developed and clearly explained. The show could be better. Some episodes are filler, and the show moves at a snail's pace.

Another issue is that there needs to be more tension. There are no real-world repercussions for the character's actions in the game world, unlike in other isekai anime, which can make it difficult to become emotionally invested in the story. The series has a sense of unrealized potential that prevents it from reaching its full potential.

If you are still undecided on whether or not to watch Infinite Dendrogram, it's not as complex as 'Log Horizon,' but it's also more engaging than 'Isekai Cheat Magician.' Depending on your preferences, the series borrows elements from both shows and lands somewhere between them, making it a hit or miss.

However, it can be enjoyable if you enjoy this genre or are willing to appreciate the show for what it offers without comparing it to other titles on this bandwagon. An anime doesn't have to be a masterpiece to be enjoyable, and that's the case with Infinite Dendrogram. While it may not excel in technical or narrative aspects, it's still entertaining. I recommend trying it if you're a fan of this type of genre!