After graduating from high school, Natsuko Hirose starts her career as an animator. Her talent quickly flourishes, and she makes her debut as a director in no time. Her first anime becomes a massive hit, sparking a social phenomenon and earning her recognition as an up-and-coming genius director. Her next project is set to be a romantic comedy movie themed around first love! However, having never been in love herself, Natsuko struggles to understand the concept of first love, and as a result, she's unable to create the storyboard, causing the movie production to come to a standstill. One day, she passes out while working on her storyboard and wakes up in the world of her favorite childhood anime movie "A Tale of Perishing."
(Source: Crunchyroll)
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Comentários
FenrirBlack22
An absolute love letter to the cheesiest corniest most beloved beautiful story telling tropes and beats in all of anime. One of the best anime original anime I've ever seen and one of the best anime I've seen in a good while. Solid 9/10. It would have been a 10/10 Masterpiece it played the story too safe. It was predictable a lot of the time and very by the book. You could follow the three arc structure it had going episode by episode which while could be intentional seeing how the show was based on a movie within the story. If that was the casethen bravo for such meta storytelling. An absolute love letter to the cheesiest corniest most beloved beautiful story telling tropes and beats in all of anime.
The characters were phenomenal. Some more than others. Memmeln felt very under utilized despite having her own personal tragedy and character growth but it was so short and felt like too easy of a change for someone with such deep seated anxiety and issues. The Bird Director was probably the biggest disappointment. She was neither an ally or an enemy. Just a random inclusion despite being such a significant figure when it came to "A Tale of Perishing". Her inclusion had a lot of potential as an antagonist but it never went anywhere and frankly if was removed all together nothing would change. Luke, Unio, Justice, and of course our heroine Natsuko win the gold star for not only being just great characters but each having their own well rounded character arcs and development. This show was not carried by the plot or the references to other anime, but these characters.
Shifting to the plot, it was very by the book. A character like Natsuko struggling with pressure that came with success and her own shortcomings sent to a world where she is given god like powers and omnipotence as she struggles to use said powers and knowledge to change a fate written in stone. She did everything she was supposed to do for a character. She struggled, grew, evolved, and in the end over came her short comings established in the first episodes. It was well executed, handled, and animated with incredible skill and grace. It was also safe. Nothing really stood out about her character or the story as a whole. The anime reference and easter eggs were a nice touch for any anime fans but overall the plot was standard, safe, and predictable. Everything from beginning to the last scene was exactly what one would expect from a series like this. It was amazing, beautiful, and exciting to watch as well.
In a lot of ways, Zenshu's predictability is part of its charm. It truly is a love letter to the 3 arc structure of story telling and all those movies, shows, and stories that follow it. It was not trying to rewrite the rules because it was celebrating them. This series is a celebration of anime and animation.
Marinate1016
We all know the success MAPPA have had with adapting beloved shonen jump titles in recent years. From CSM, to JJK and even Vinland Saga on the seinen side of things, they’ve been on an insane run. Their anime originals on the other hand have been a bit.. well bad. Zenshu breaks the mould and is in my opinion, not just one of their best originals, but one of their best ever projects in general. They might have misled us initially into thinking this was going to be a show about making anime, but I fell in love with this fantasy world, the characters, theromance, the production values, it was all perfect and Luke and Natsuko quickly became one of the best parts of this season to me. Their haters to lovers relationship was so satisfying to watch play out, they felt like soulmates and completed each other so much. I think for many of us, their relationship and Natsuko’s personal development were the best parts of the show and just made this an incredible watch. If you like girl bosses, romance and self improvement stories, Zenshu’s a must watch. One of the best shows of winter 2025.
The funny thing about it is that Zenshu was very much one of those shows that everything came down to the finale for me. It was either going to be a 10 or a 7 depending on how MAPPA wrapped things up with Luke and Natsuko and the big battle and I am very glad to report they did an excellent job. There’s a few minor things I’d have tweaked in the finale, but other than that this was an extremely solid anime original story that was consistent in its messages and themes, stayed on track, had great character development, awesome fights, a unique fighting mechanic and a loveable main character. Total contrast to some of their other anime original works, especially the disaster that was Bucchigiri. I loved this series though, we all expected this to be a shirobako style anime where we followed an anime director throughout the process of creating an anime, but instead we followed an anime director INSIDE an anime and got to see her grow and open up to others and the world.
Natsuko’s character development is very satisfying. She starts off as a really aloof and frankly rude and disrespectful person who looks down on others. Thanks to being in her favourite anime and going on adventures to save the world she realizes the importance of teamwork and relying on others, something she really lacked back on earth. She’s someone who never viewed others as actual people, just tools to get the job done. The near death experiences she has in the anime’s world really help shape her into a better person and it’s so satisfying . It doesn’t happen overnight, but each episode we see bits and pieces coming together and that’s all you can ask for!
The cast were amazing in this. They’re the main reason the show is as good as it is. MAPPA, in 12 short episodes, manage to create this family dynamic that makes this such a cozy watch. Every single member of the cast is lovable and you just want to see them succeed. It almost feels like this was a long running adventure shonen series with how attached to the cast I got. The banter, the disagreements and the makeups were all so endearing. Natsuko and the nine soldiers might have bickered a lot, but they always made up and pushed forward at the end of the day like a family. Further to that, the relationship between Natsuko and Luke was my favourite part of the show and it was so well done. I’m a massive haters to lovers romance trope fan and this was one of the best ones. The two of them slowly realizing how they feel culminating in those last few episodes was amazing. They both ended up being exactly what the other was missing in their life. Natsuko couldn’t take her work to the next level because she’d never known a first love and Luke couldn’t move forward because he was caught up on the pain of his fallen comrades and didn’t really have anyone who he could truly share that burden with. The term soulmates gets thrown around a lot, but Luke and Natsuko truly were soulmates!
Now it’s MAPPA so you know we have to discuss the production quality. The show looked amazing. Designs, the fights, Natsuko’s drawing animation(even if it was reused) were all amazing. It seems like MAPPA made it a point of emphasis to put their A-team on this and it worked out very well. The final few episodes had some gorgeous animation and combined with the simple, but well written story made for an amazing experience.
I had Zenshu as one of the best anime of the season ever since the first episode and it not only stayed that way, but only got better as I learned more about Natsuko and the other characters and as the romance developed. Things ended up being a little predictable in terms of the ending, but that’s not a bad thing because it’s exactly the sort of story I hoped for. If you like boss girlies, romance and some really unique action, Zenshu is a no brainer. One of the best shows of the year so far and I’m going to miss it so much. Luke and Natsuko, we will never forget you.
Zenshu gets 10 drawing pencils out of 10.
luxray978
__Animation/Visual style__ As expected since MAPPA is working on Zenshuu the animation is extremely fluid and several creative shots make good use of the team’s skills. The combat animation is very cool and even the sketches and paper creatures look great. There's not much to say here besides top-class work. However a caveat here is that I didn’t find the visual style to be very unique, and the design of the world was largely generic. I guess that fits with the “forgotten XO’s movie” idea but I still didn't like it. __Plot and themes:__ I found the overarching themes of Zenshuu interesting but I didn’t find themhandled particularly well. The monster of the week format for the first half doesn’t work for me and many of the themes go very underexplored. Finally, the world-building is extremely shallow to the point where it goes beyond the point of being nothing and becomes actively distracting.
The aforementioned Monster of the Week episodes lack interesting monsters or solutions for most of them. They resolve with Natsuko drawing something from pop media and then the credits roll for the vast majority. They don’t bring anything to the table besides allowing the romance to progress a bit in the background. As such this time could’ve been spent on a more interesting plot device or exploring the many characters that lacked proper development in the show. I’m aware that for many people seeing references to animation history was cool and fun but I think this could’ve been integrated in a more interesting way than simply pointing at previous things. I would give a pass if this tied into a larger theme or arc around Natsuko being unable to create original media and overcoming that but it does not. They begin to improve on these towards the end of these episodes but the damage is already done in making me sit through the previous uninteresting fights.
In my opinion, the main themes of Zenshuu are First love, Oblivion/Depression, and feelings of inadequacy. Of these, the first is given the most screen time and is handled the best with a consistent and satisfying slow buildup and great integration through the vignette episode midway through the series. As for the last two they are certainly touched upon but I felt their integration to be weak despite the sudden heavy focus given to Natsuko's feeling of inadequacy. It’s a shame because I think both could’ve been the basis for an interesting show but ended up cluttering things and serving to push things out.
Zenshuu’s world-building generally occurs when characters have to pass through something for plot reasons or an offhand comment. As such things feel very empty and as a viewer, it’s sometimes hard to take the stakes seriously because of it. There’s no significant explanation for what’s going on or why people believe the things they do with one notable well-done exception over the course of an episode.
__Character Design:__
Character designs were at first annoying and then transitioned into being mostly nothing to me with the exception of Justice and Natsuko. While I’m aware it’s partially the “point” to have the 9 soldiers designs be scattered it still feels really bizarre at the start. As the series progresses they manage to work around this better and scenes feel a lot less weird but it was extremely distracting for me until I got used to them. Even after that, I found them to be pretty nothing with them being simple pastiches of other media. Justice’s design and VA are really cool and his swoon-worthy persona is accentuated by how he moves when he’s interacting with Natsuko. Natsuko is by far the standout with her hair covering her eyes serving as a unique design element and a great way to display her mental state.
__Character:__
As far as the characters themselves I find all of them besides the main duo to be extremely shallow even though many change throughout the story. Those that change feel less like a dynamic change taking course through the story and more like a switch being flipped to change them between modes. The prime example of this is probably a period late in the show where a character reverts their personality changes before immediately switching back again. However, the character who becomes convinced to give up their firmly held beliefs by kinda nothing and sticks with it is also not great. Unio is the closest to having a fully developed arc and I became a focal point for my attention, especially towards the end but things still feel shallow there.
Natsuko and Luke’s relationship on the other hand is handled really well. Watching the slow-burn romance is really fun and the way both Luke and Natsuko change as he realizes his feelings and she becomes more connected to the world is very cute. This dynamic was what kept me watching week-week and without it, I would probably have dropped the show.
__Treatment of women:__
Despite having a female protagonist Zenshuu has close to nothing to say about women’s role in society or their treatment. Destiny’s arc is kinda saying something about the way belief in powerlessness can reinforce it but it’s extremely shallow. A more critical observer may even find some distaste for the way the show seems to imply that situations like being trapped in an arranged marriage are easy to leave.
__Sound: :__
The sound design in the dark scenes stood out to me as a good way to show the change in tone. There’s some good foley and other effects mixed in as well which I enjoyed. The sound is generally effective throughout the series but never massively stood out to me besides in the last episode. Besides that I found the OP to be a cool song and I added the artist to my music rotation so I would consider that a win. I can’t comment on the lyrics or how appropriate they are because I don’t speak Japanese so I’ll leave that to other people.
__Conclusion:__
Zenshuu is a very pretty show that often feels like it has the same issues as the poorly received old anime films it parodies at times. Worldbuilding and character development are shallow with the exception of the main cast and I found much of the early show to be quite a drag. Nevertheless, it manages to rally towards the end and create enough emotional impact through its main duo to push itself up to something interesting. As such my final rating is a 7/10, If you really like isekai, are dying for a female lead slow-burn romance, or really want to see some references to old animation check out Zenshuu.
yasyaa
This anime is really good! I think it's one of the most unique ones out there. The way they get transported to the isekai world is totally different from other anime! The characters are so distinct that there's no way I could forget them easily. I really like Luke, Unio, Memelin, Natsuko, QJ, and Justice. They're strong and have different power that get me excited! Characters react to situations and events is good. The art is amazing, and the story never gets boring. And the ending... I NEED a season 2! I want to see Luke go to Japan! I think others will enjoy thisanime, this anime is little bit underrated but is good.
IlTossico
This could have been the best anime of the season, if it wasn’t for the finale. It’s an extremely underrated anime, from the start to the last two episodes, it’s almost perfect, very fluid animation, vibrant colours, map settings, music, character development, etc. Personally, the first episode is the one that hit me, and the second one followed it like magic, it’s easy to see the quality that Studio MAPPA put into their anime. It’s a new way to look into isekay, the amount of creativity put into this anime is amazing, surely an original anime for this year. Trama was predictable, like a writtentale, but very easy to follow and enjoy. Very nice and enjoyable the fact the protagonist doesn’t use some type of magic to combat but just the love for its job and the animation.
But guys, character development here is amazing, done precisely and very slow through all episodes; take our protagonist, Natsuko: we see everything from her, thrown away in a new word, even if was one very close to her, given a new power to understand and use, try to understand what to do with the narrative of a movie she already knows and how to change it from a finale she likes but don’t want to happen, so struggling, at the same time growing into a different person, evolving, discovering new thing about other and herself, like how to love, and in the end, success from her struggling.
It was a solid 9, until the end. It feels strange, like forced or do in short time. With some thinking it could be a better finale. And I don’t think there are hidden messages here, about the finale or how you should see it. Like, we want this anime to finish differently to the finale of "A Tale of Perishing”, and in reality, we have, two finales, both good and bad, and this feel pretty strange and rush too.
There is no much to describe, I suggest trying looking into this anime, seeing from other comment, it’s a hit or miss, the first episode is enough to understand if you like it or not.
The end is open, yes, but we don’t need a season 2. Thanks.
maoginko
Zenshu - one of the best original anime i've seen especially for a one shot. The animation is gorgeous and seamless as expected for mappa. i was thrown for a loop originally when it turned into an isekai, however this show reminded me of how fun an isekai can be when done correctly with interesting characters and world building. each character is unique and gets their own time to shine, each scene brings to life "a tale of perishing" and makes it feel like the breathing and living world it became for natsuko, and each attack brings growth for everyone. it's a love letter to allthings anime. i highly recommend zenshu and encourage you to remember why you fell in love with this art form in the first place as you watch it.
OmniCheese
While watching Zenshuu for the first time, I've been trying to make sense of its title and how it would be brought up in the anime. It turns out that it was mentioned in the first episode, where the main character says to "redo" the script or storyboard (I'm not sure which it was, since it was handed to her to check). Anyway, when it was first released, I saw many negative impressions online discussing how the anime was bad because of its characters—particularly the main character’s personality and how obnoxious she seemed. She received hate not only from the in-universe cast but also within thecommunity. However, I believe that was intentional—it’s part of the show, a setup for how her personality contrasts with her growth in the upcoming episodes. It may not be a prime example of peak character development, but it’s something that can be appreciated for what it is.
We all know how MAPPA, as a big studio, has created multiple action-packed series like Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen with stunning fighting scenes—beautiful enough to make a young adult cry (Yes, I’m referring to myself). I’ve recently realized how their animation might have created a standard in modern anime, raising expectations to the point where audiences look for similar quality in everything they watch. Entertainment is evolving in terms of visuals and technical aspects, but when that becomes the norm, it creates a huge gap for other entries to prove themselves and be appreciated for what they truly offer.
What I’m trying to say is that this anime had a bad start—not because it was animated by the “wrong” studio or lacked in effort—but because people were too quick to judge. Some may have dropped the anime early due to the points above, but I want to talk about the low attention spans of people nowadays, reflected not just in social media but in how entertainment is consumed in general. Of course, I won’t go deep into comparing anime and social media habits, but this is focused on how Zenshuu got negative traction at release.
Back then, I was busy with college life and barely had time for anime or hobbies. But I gave myself small rewards after finishing important tasks. That’s when I came across this anime—during that period where I was trying to catch up with recent seasonal releases. I read posts saying the anime wasn’t appreciated and that MAPPA disappointed fans. It reminded me of a similar pattern I saw with Black Clover, where the main character was also labeled obnoxious early on.
Now that I’ve finally had the time to watch shows I missed, I gave Zenshuu a shot. I noticed its lower-than-average MAPPA rating, which brought back the posts I read last year telling me what to expect. Still, I wanted to be fair, so I tried to ignore the hate and just enjoy it for what it was. And honestly? It wasn’t bad at all. In fact, I’d recommend it to the right audience.
I didn’t structure this review with a rating system because I’ve grown from many events in life, and my perspective on media has evolved. Zenshuu is one of those shows that reminds me: don’t compare your experience with what the community says you should feel. I realized this especially after watching it—because I DEFINITELY ENJOYED its characters and ending. Basically, the term to take reviews with "a grain of salt" applies here and anywhere else. But still, hear me out.
Remember when I mentioned the early reactions and MAPPA? I actually asked ChatGPT why people hated this show (Yes, I’m a lazy guy who doesn’t dig through Reddit threads or forum arguments just to understand a theme in anime), and it gave me some insight. A lot of it ties back to expectations—MAPPA being known for high-impact anime, and people being disappointed when Zenshuu didn’t match that mold. The worst part is how some influencers and reviewers went so far as to say “don’t waste your time on it”—as if their role was to write it off without understanding it. That’s where I started to feel strongly about this topic: don’t rely too heavily on others’ opinions, especially when it comes to personal enjoyment.
Honestly, there are many reviewers out there and I know mine will only reach a few. But I don’t want this to sound like a rant or a complaint about the show’s reception. Yes, it’s disappointing—but to make it short: I recommend Zenshuu to anyone willing to give it a chance—for its aesthetic (especially if you appreciate beautiful animation like Ufotable or some entries from Bones), its slight comedic charm (yes, there are cute and funny moments), its build-up (if you enjoy slow but meaningful character development), and its story (which, at least for me, pulled me in around the middle and kept me curious until the end).
I especially appreciated how the story ended—it didn’t drag, it left just enough for the imagination to take over. It was a satisfying close that didn’t overstay its welcome.
Some viewers were disappointed because Zenshuu felt so different from what MAPPA is known for. It doesn’t carry the same energy or pacing as their biggest titles. Some even act like it doesn’t belong in the MAPPA catalog—as if it’s a failure among masterpieces. But Zenshuu treads lightly and asks for patience from those willing to enjoy. It doesn’t shout its message. It doesn’t hold your hand or throw meaning at you in every scene. It lets you feel it over time. And sometimes, that quiet journey is what makes it special.
It’s not right to drop an anime just because others didn’t enjoy it.
I want to end this review with a reminder: don’t let others’ opinions take away your opportunity to find meaning in a show. Your experience may be different—and that’s exactly why it matters. Yes, attention spans today may be shorter, but sometimes it’s the quiet, thoughtful art that deserves the most patience.
This is my take on the anime Zenshuu.
joemaamah
I saw it was an isekai. I read the synopsis, and said "nah." But to call Zenshu an isekai totally misses the point. This is a PARODY of everything anime from the last 40 years. It's Gintama levels of parody. But where Gintama used sarcasm and poked the industry with a stick, Zenshu wraps its arms around it, and whispers "You might be silly as hell, but we love you anyway." There is truly a wamrth and love of the medium that pervades the production, from the first minute to the very last. I'm glad I waited until almost the last week to give thisa try. It was one of the best binges I ever had.
The art work runs the gamut from 80s era simplicity to some really fine work indeed. It's a jumbled up mess that is going to look like a cluster, until you realize the animators are paying homage to all the best work that came before. Same with the animation itself. There might seem to be no cohesiveness to it all, but it works, considering they are lovingly paying tribute to decades of the industry. It's all in fun, and Natsuko's episodal magical girl transformation is awesome in that regard.
The characters are another great big pile of every cliche ever dropped in anime, but they are so lovingly portrayed, they'll worm their ways into your heart. Natsuko is the self-insert for everyone that's ever worked in the business. Every other character is cliche as hell too, but so much so, it's a loving poke in the ribs. They may be deliberately mid, but they are treated with respect, even if they are gently made fun of.
Same with the narrative. It's supposed to be hokey as fuck, but it's a hokey that is fun and amusing. Decades worth of tropes are woven into this tale, and that was one fine piece of writing. There's lots of comic moments, but they aren't mean or condescending like you'd find in satire. The writers treat the story, and all the characters, with love and respect, even as they poke gentle fun at them. Are you catching a theme here?
You can tell the VAs had a ball with this, and the performances are special in a sometimes silly way. The direction has done a magnificient job with the cast, and spinning all the wayward parts of this into such a beautiful yarn. The direction is nothing short of masterful.
There's no reason to redo anything about this series. If seen in the right light, it is very close to perfect in every way. If I was grading this I'd give it 95/100. It absolutely teeters on the edge of a masterwork. If you blew on it really hard, it might just tip over into that territory. So recommended, as long as you go into it with the right mindset.
chekkit
Zenshu isn't just your basic isekai. It's a love letter to all artists and fan creators out there. It's too short for the amount of enjoyment and fluff I got out of this anime. So in your face with its cliches, its funny and silly moments, the joy and despair it spread in its short span. And the message it gave was oh so clear by the end. That a story doesn't have to end come the final episode-- that fan creators like ourselves can keep it alive in how we see fit. To make changes to canon and find joy where you might not havefound it in its original creation.
The setting is a common one. Our protagonist Natsuko "dies" and is apparently transported to the world of the movie she so loved that it inspired her to become the animator that she was. In so doing, she knew everything that would come to pass. She knew all about the characters already and what they intended to do. Which granted her a chance to redo and fix those moments! Not because she wanted to make changes at first, but because in those beginning segments it was life or death for her too.
This all culminates in the end where her true wish is granted. Not only for her sake, but because she found love and inspiration all over again in this world she adored as a child. Even knowing the intentions of the original creator, she "fixed it" as she desired. She enjoyed every precious moment with those long lost characters from her past while learning more than she ever could outside of that world.
Was it real in the end? Could there possibly be more to it? The ending is open for our interpretation. For creators like us to decide what happens next and how we might keep Natsuko's love alive. To keep our own precious ideas from old media alive that they might inspire us too. Because as an artist and writer myself, this anime reached out to me more than any before it to keep on enjoying what I do.
analysis1909
What an anime Zenshu turned out to be. In a season full of flashy titles and overhyped sequels, this anime quietly entered the scene and ended up leaving a deep impression on me. I went in with almost no expectations, just another new anime, I thought. But what I found was something beautiful, emotional, and, honestly, unforgettable. Zenshu has now earned a place among the best new anime I’ve seen recently. A Slow Start With a Powerful Payoff Let’s be honest: the first few episodes of Zenshu might not grab everyone instantly. The pacing is slow, and it takes its time establishing the world, the characters, andthe emotional weight of its story. I remember feeling a bit underwhelmed in the beginning, wondering if this would be one of those shows that looked good but didn’t offer much. But I’m glad I stuck with it.
Around episode 3 or 4, something changed. The story began to unfold in unexpected ways, the emotional layers started to reveal themselves, and the unique concept at the heart of the anime came into full view. That’s when I realized, Zenshu is not just another anime. It’s a work of depth and feeling.
Screenplay and Direction: A Beautiful Flow
The screenplay is standout element of this anime. It's written with care, and it knows exactly when to speak and when to stay quiet. There’s a certain rhythm to the storytelling that keeps pulling you in. Even when the plot slows down, the emotional undercurrents are so strong that you remain engaged. The screenplay doesn’t rely on typical anime tropes, it leans into its own style, and it works wonderfully.
Direction-wise, the anime flows smoothly. Every episode feels intentional, with moments designed to build on each other. The character development is done with patience, and by the time you reach the later episodes, you realize just how attached you've become to the people on screen.
MAPPA’s Animation: Consistently Impressive
When it comes to animation, MAPPA once again proves why they are one of the most respected studios in the industry right now. Zenshu might not have the explosive action of something like Jujutsu Kaisen or Attack on Titan, but what it has is atmosphere, expression, and beauty in stillness.
The color palette is soft but meaningful. Character expressions are detailed and genuine. Backgrounds are carefully crafted to reflect the emotional tone of each scene. And when the story calls for visual impact, especially in emotionally charged sequences MAPPA delivers with subtle animation flourishes that leave a lasting impression.
The Emotional Climax: A Beautiful Finale
Now let me talk about the last few episodes because this is where Zenshu goes from “good” to “special.” These episodes are filled with emotional weight, narrative closure, and moments that will likely stay with you long after the screen fades to black. It’s rare that an anime finishes so gracefully, with such emotional clarity and warmth.
I found myself genuinely moved. The relationships, the regrets, the memories, everything that had been built up quietly in earlier episodes came together in a beautiful, heart-wrenching crescendo. If you’ve ever watched an anime that made you cry not just because it was sad, but because it was beautiful, that’s what Zenshu achieves in its finale.
It reminded me why I love this medium so much. Anime, at its best, can transcend simple entertainment. It can speak to the human condition. And Zenshu does that, especially in its final stretch.
Final Thoughts
Zenshu might not be the loudest or most talked-about anime of the year, but it’s certainly one of the most heartfelt. It touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect, and that’s the highest praise I can give. The slow beginning might turn off some viewers, but if you stay with it, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most emotionally resonant stories in recent anime.
From the unique concept of the protagonist’s power to the brilliant screenplay, from MAPPA’s delicate animation to the soul-stirring final episodes, everything comes together to form an experience that’s hard to forget.
This is an anime that doesn’t scream for attention. It gently asks you to feel. And if you let it, Zenshu will make you laugh, reflect, maybe even cry, but most importantly, it will stay with you.
Anime-Isekai-God
Now that the anime is over here's what I gotta say. For starters Natsuko’s character development is easily the most substantial aspect of this story. She starts as someone detached, someone who views relationships and emotions as abstract concepts rather than something real. Watching her gradually open up, not just to romance but to the beauty of storytelling, is genuinely compelling. It’s not a sudden shift; her struggles are raw and frustrating at times, but that makes her growth all the more satisfying. The side characters are just as well-crafted, not existing simply to push Natsuko’s journey but feeling like real people with their arcs. Someof them mirror her real-world relationships, creating an interesting duality that makes you reflect on how much our perceptions shape the people around us.
The setting is another standout. The world of A Tale of Perishing feels like a love letter to 90s anime—a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. Every detail, from the landscape to the designs, is crafted with care, making it feel like something that could have truly existed in that era.
But what I appreciate most is how Zenshu uses this setting as more than just an aesthetic choice. It’s a world that challenges Natsuko’s beliefs, forcing her to interact with a story not as a creator but as a participant. Meanwhile, the real-world segments don’t shy away from the harsh realities of the anime industry—the burnout, the pressure, and the expectation to create something meaningful even when inspiration runs dry.
At its core, Zenshu is more than just a beautifully told story—it’s a commentary on art itself. It explores the gap between technical skill and genuine expression, the way creators struggle to put their souls into their work, and the necessity of real experiences in shaping meaningful art. It doesn’t just tell you that creativity comes from within—it shows you, through a protagonist who has to break through her walls to truly understand what it means to create something heartfelt.
With that said and done, I know its probably too much to asked for but I hope we get a S2 of Natsuko showing all of them around as Luke promised. This anime truly is wonderful 10/10
VinMur92
Son of Mappa studio, Zenshu fills the audience with expectations even before the release, resulting in a sea of disappointment for the majority of viewers who stopped at the first episodes. After graduating from high school, Natsuko Hirose begins her career as an animator and shortly after debuts as a director. Her first anime becomes a huge success, so much so that it greatly raises expectations for what will be her next project, a romantic comedy focused on first love! Having never been in love, the protagonist struggles to understand the concept of first love and, consequently, is unable to create the storyboard. One day, shefaints while working on the storyboard and wakes up in the world of her favorite anime film, the story of a decline, thus understanding that we are in front of an... Isekai! A problem? For many, yes, for those with a bit of brain to understand that it is not the cover that counts but the entire written story, no.
Zenshu has a big flaw, the first episodes can be slow, without a precise path to follow, but in reality they create the foundations of what will be the core of the story, that is the love story between Natzuko and Luke, the protagonist of the story of a decline, as well as laying the foundations for what will be the dramatic turning point of the anime, because yes, even though it is explained to us very lightly from the beginning that the story of a decline has a dramatic ending, only in the last episodes do we begin to notice the consequences.
It is useless to talk about the scenography, it is Mappa. As for the characters, I slowly fell in love with Natzuko throughout the vision, she is a character that I have always adored, even with her obvious flaws, it could be because she incredibly reminds me both in design and character, of Saiki Atsumi, the singer of the opening of this anime, Zen (go and listen to Band Maid because it is a phenomenal band). The rest of the cast is appreciable but not so much.
The story flows quite well after the first half, I'm not surprised that many have dropped it even before getting to the heart of the story.
The soundtrack is quite solid, the story has a beginning and an ending. Is it disappointing? Not really. Could it have been done better? Without a doubt.
Furthermore, for each episode there are countless references to other statuary anime, even in the ending itself.
Summing up, I liked it, a lot, I was moved, a lot, but I'm pretty sure that not for everyone it can be like that, but it is an anime that is very pleasant to watch so I don't see why not give it a chance.
Rating 8.5! The masterful opening of Band Maid and the protagonist that I liked so much have positively influenced to increase my rating.
kemptea
This show starts having you think it's an isekai/sendup, but, gentle reader, it is in fact a masterpiece about very grown-up concerns. Our girl Natsuko has a journey to go on-- not the hero's, but the creator's. The 80s/90s kid-show fantasy setting belays a fast-paced and increasingly intense storyline. The good: - The art, character design, and overall story are well done. Love has gone into this, and given the message, well it should. - Anyone who's ever become obsessed with a book or show (or a hobby/career) will recognize themselves in Natsuko. - Our girl is not a Mary Sue. She struggles at first with her aloofness, andthen with her hubris, and then ... I won't ruin the third act for you.
- The romantic storyline is cute, never cloying or melodramatic.
- You grow to love the characters. Even Unio. This is because everyone has good character growth. No one is static, despite the preferences of certain antagonists.
- The plotline and overall messages interweave nicely. The show generally doesn't beat you over the head with it, which gives you room to appreciate what you're seeing and thinking naturally.
The bad:
- It had to end eventually, I guess (kicks a rock).
- Some may say that it could have used an episode or two more to explore backstories, etc., but I think it expects the audience to be familiar enough with the setting to know the beats without having to be told.
RomanRonin
Zenshuu is effectively Narnia but the wardrobe is a near-death choking experience. In some sense, it's a traditional isekai where the MC comes and saves the day with her unique powers. However, Zenshuu is somewhat unique in that the plot is already known: A Tale of Perishing is a movie in the real world, and its ending is tragic. This pushes the plot along as each moment is in furtherance of avoiding where the movie fell into despair, making the actions of the MC feel as if they actualy have weight on the isekai world they're in. Yet, while Zenshuu is a perfectly good anime,it has a number of small flaws. Firstly, while it's beautifully animated, MAPPA took some shortcuts at times, and it shows (particularly with the constant reuse of Natsuko's "drawing" animation). Plotwise, Zenshuu focuses far too much on the isekai world, only devoting a single episode to Natsuko's real life (which is a shame because this episode is arguably the best of the whole show). I would've liked to see a better balance in order to give Natsuko a bit more depth, and enhance her character development. The setting is woefully underdeveloped, arguably on purpose as part of the isekai gag, but it does take away from the show, (and in hindsight it makes Unio's dream feel kinda lackluster). Most importantly, the show completely pulls a 180 from the very beginning, making you believe it will be about Natsuko developing her new anime, but instead becoming an isekai out of nowhere.
While the resulting isekai is good, and I do recommend you watch it, I did feel a bit of disappointment at the sudden reversal, and I'm sure many people dropped it at this point. In the end, Zenshuu is a perfectly good anime, but still feels a bit disappointing relative to its limitless potential.
Jet_Suzuyaki
So, frankly, I wasn't too convinced at first. Admittedly, the story itself is pretty cliché and not very original, apart from the heroine's power to fight with animation. But as the anime progresses, especially in the final act, it takes on a whole new dimension. The more the anime progresses, the more catastrophe seems inevitable, and the more you feel it's coming. And frankly, it works very well: the events become heavier, you start to wonder how the situation is going to improve, and the emotional scenes work really well. Honestly, I got the shivers during some of the scenes in the last episodes, whichreally go all the way into the apocalyptic delirium, sometimes to the point of touching me sincerely. a happy ending was fairly predictable given the direction the anime was taking, but it's well done enough to make you get caught up in it and feel fear for the characters.
Beyond that, I like the parallel it draws around the animator who's going to free herself from her source of inspiration by rewriting the work that marked her life. Frankly, it doesn't break any bones, but it does the job and it's pretty interesting.
All in all, Zenshu was a really nice moment, I don't think it will revolutionize the genre or make a mark on the public, but it was well done enough to make me want to start the new episode every week and to get involved in its story, and that's already enough for me!
What's more, it's original enough in certain respects to stand out from the rest of the anime genre, and frankly, it's a fine job.
Brenilla
(Id give it an 8.5 but we only got whole stars) Zenshu had the pleasure of being miss-sold pre-release and then having its worst episodes being #2 and #3. (: Past that it kept getting better and better and played with its concept more. It isn't super complex but the characters really grow on you. I think some more care and tightening on certain aspects could really have elevated the show but as is I think they did a great Job! Fun animations the animation references are not needed to be understood to still find enjoyable, (I sure as didn't know em specifically). The charactersare definitely a flawed set, but they do have growth and charm to them. (some more than others though). It won't necessarily be to everyone's taste. I didn't like a certain character much till the end, and I'm Shure plenty didn't change their feelings on them.
Zenshu did what it wanted to do but the miss-preconception of the show definitely hindered it for alot of its potential enjoyment from people/
Justykanna
Zenshu is, yet again, another otherly world series where our main character gets zapped to another world and things start to happen due to their appearance. It's nothing we haven't seen before. This series does, however, bring in some strong story elements that does make it worthy of the watch. Story & Characters: Zenshu introduces us to Natsuko Hirose, who is an animator for an animation studio. As is the norm with workplaces of this nature, they must meet very strict deadlines and Natsuko takes issue with anyone who tries to get help her, but only gets in her way, at least, inher view. She's a bit of a prodigy in terms of creating strong artworks and has had that talent since she was in her early teens. Zenshu does a very good job at portraying who she was as a child, and growing up, as they dedicated an episode to her past, something that I actually really appreciated. Much of what series wants to do is tell us who Natsuko is, and it does a tremendous job at portraying her character development from start to finish. She went from being self-centred to open and kind.
Natsuko passes out one day while working on her storyboard, and zapped to "A Tale of Perishing", one of her very favourite stories when she was a kid. She loves it so much she memorized the whole series, and now, she gets to be a part of it. She meets Luke Braveheart, one of the nine legendary heroes, also known as the "Nine Soldiers" that are featured in the story. Luke is about as "Hero-like" as you can get, always putting the people's safety above his own, even at the detriment of his own health. It's a bit cookie-cutter, but he honours the hero name quite well. Much of the story watches his actions and his strength very much backs up his words. The main soldiers that we see are Unio, a mini unicorn who can transform to fly people to places and can use magical abilities, QJ, a mini flying robot and specializes in technology, and Memmeln, an elf who combined magic and bow-and-arrow skills to conquer her foes. All three are given some background info, and I thought they did a decent job with all of them. QJ's my favourite of the three, just because he knows nothing but happiness outside of battle.
The story splits itself into three parts - the beginning, middle and end - fairly evenly. The beginning takes its time to make us acquainted with the Tale of Perishing world. We learn very quickly that Natsuko gains the ability to quickly draw, and bring whatever she draws, to life. These tend to be very powerful, and even knock her out for multiple days after using this ability. The story takes its time, sometimes too slowly in my opinion, for us to learn that not everything Natsuko knows about the story is actually true. This can be a bit of a turnoff for some audiences, though I'm glad I watched it through. Some of the stuff she draws is so weird, but grants us those few minutes of seeing how they interact with the world, and fight off the enemy monsters, known as Voids.
The middle's goal is to build up our roster as we are introduced to other soldiers, as we get to know more about the world. Destiny is a dancer, who has a love for children. Her goal is to build an orphanage and even though I didn't think much of her as a character, I loved what they did with her in the finale. Justice was easily my favourite of the soldiers. He is basically a human-dragon hybrid that insists that he's good for nothing anymore, especially because he's lost his ability to fly. But time and time again he brings about good in the series and slowly becomes possibly the most lovable character in the entire series. A character that I didn't like, even with her limited screentime, was "Bird". It feels like she only served to annoy and even though she said her signature one line once, did we really need to hear it five more times within the next two episodes?
After the middle is all said and done, the final act enters where things REALLY take a turn for the worst. And when it starts to turn, everything starts to crumble even more. This is easily the best part of the series. We can see what's going on the Tale of Perishing, and then they manage to make things worse and worse. It gets so dark during multiple instances and, while I thought the last ten minutes or so felt a little rushed, I thought they accomplished what they set out to do. We see a large problem, and we got our resolution. (Story: 8/10, Characters: 9/10)
Art: MAPPA is in charge of the animation for this series, well known for other animating other beautiful works such as Attack on Titan and Takt Op. Destiny. They really do a good job here, bringing to life Natsuko's works, as well as the flashy animations from our action sequences. Nothing ever felt cheap and I was happy to see the series done well by the animation. (8/10)
Sound: OST work was solid, along with an awesome OP in Zen by Band-Maid. But voice work is where the series shone. Madeleine Morris (Natsuko), well known for her work as Rudius in Jobless Reincarnation should basically feel at home with Natsuko. Young character, zapped to another world and gets to work their magic. She was fantastic here and does enough with her voice to make it at least a little different from when she voices a young male. Luci Christian (Unio), Alexis Tipton (Memmeln) and Dani Chambers (Destiny) are the other big names on this series, all performing very well. I'm not super familiar with Ryan Negrón (Luke), but I thought he was also exceptional. (9/10)
Overall: Zenshu does a lot to make this series feel very different from the other Isekai series out there and I would say that it does feel like a bit of a unique experience. Pacing issues aside, I felt like the story always felt very engaging, even though our main villains were basically nameless husks that killed everything in sight. This series brought in fantastic characters and a story that always drove to the end. Any fan of the Isekai series should check this out, especially because our story ends after the credits roll. (8/10)
Mysterygrl13
This, in the most simplistic way, is a love letter to the things one is passionate about. In Nasuko's case, an anime she's been a fan of since she was young which propelled her to become the great animator she is today. Isekai's have been gaining popularity in recent times but all have the same underlying plot. What this did differently is how the mc responds to the world she is in, while actively trying to change the knowledge that she brings about the original world to the present version of the world that she is in. She meets the characters she has long admiredbut instead of trying to blend herself into the world and accepting her place, she tries to change the world with the love and care a lot of fans have for their beloved characters, much like the fanfiction or headcannons we have. But Natsuko gets to rework the fabric of the story itself.
There's a lot of nods to classic anime tropes and figures in this show—mech anime for one, which also show how deeply and long both the creators and Natsuko have been fans of the anime genre.
The plot while it does follow the structure of the isekai genre again, tells it in a way that is refreshing to see and with the added mystery of it not pulling from a previous source material. The characters are fleshed out beautifully, showing both the original characterization and the backstories that Natsuko collects on her own, adding the depth and connection many fans associate with their favorite characters' series.
The animation is visually striking, blending magical girl with the believable reality of an artist working at her desk. Bright, colors saturate the world, and work inn tandem with the story as it unfolds from scene to scene. Most notably, how the characters eyes are a visual representation of "a window to the soul".
Overall, a watch for those who enjoy the iseaki genre and want something to capture their attention with hidden gems for long time anime/manga fans. Only reason this doesn't get a 10/10 is because it does stick to many common tropes (don't get me wrong it is still done well!). It would have been nice to see the story take a few more risks but all in all fantastic.
AboAhmed130
My review of this anime feels uncertain, I can't fully decide on my opinion. Personally, I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t like this type of story, and none of its ideas really caught my attention. On top of that, there were many mysteries and questions raised throughout the show that were never answered. In short, I **do** recommend watching it in general. Maybe it wasn’t for me, but it’s still a good anime—that’s just a fact. The people I’d recommend it to are **artists** and those who love to let their imagination run wild. Watch it **not for the logic**, but for thecreative aspects. Don’t focus too much on the story like I did; just appreciate the **art, animation, and visuals**.
I think you'll enjoy this anime more if you're a fan of **Disney movies**. The art style and storytelling feel somewhat inspired by them. In fact, episode 4 felt like a **mini Disney movie** to me.
Overall: **7/10**—I didn’t enjoy it, but I’d still recommend it if you're interested.
