La Biblioteca de Amestris

It took me some time to make my mind about this anime. When you watch Infinite Dendrogram, you feel that you are watching an actual youtuber streaming a game. As an MMO isekai, this could mean a master piece, but yet, it is something odd. I was not fully into it upon the moment I realized that I saw myself playing with my older brother in the anime. Thereafter, I just loved it.

Sinopsis: In the year 2043, the virtual reality MMORPG Infinite Dendrogram is released, featuring the ability to perfectly simulate players' five senses. Nearly two years later, Reiji Mukudori enters the world of Infinite Dendrogram and assumes the name "Ray Starling", and upon his arrival, he is joined by his more experienced brother Shu and his Embryo companion Nemesis. As Ray explores the world of Infinite Dendrogram, he learns to make a life for himself there and meets different kinds of friends and foes.

In a personal level, this anime made me very happy. Having a sibling is an unique relationship. It does not matter the difference of age or the long distance. Sadly, I don't see many series exploring this kinship, especially in MMO animes, where it is becoming more common to find siblings playing together nowadays (i.e., the last relationship of siblings that I saw was between Kirito and his half-sister. I don't want to enter in many details, but it was basically a step-sister soft porn interaction). So, when I saw the interactions between Ray and Shu, I really start hoping it will be something like the Elric brothers (Full Metal Alchemist). At this point, I cannot tell if it will be something as deep, but I really like that this kind of relationship is present here -that is why I also got excited when both of them kept their last names: Starling).



I have a personal experience with video games. As the main character of Infinite Dendrogram, I started to play video games through my older brother. In that sense, playing video games was never a way to isolate myself. In a way, I think that it was a way to connect with my brother (we have different personalities and interests). Upon this day, gaming is a way that we use to connect to each other. For instance, I recently got into Guild Wars II  to spend more time with him. Yes, I love the game. Guild Wars II is probably one of the best MMO in the market. But the real reason why I play this game is because it is a way that I have to connect with my brother. To give you some context, I have been living abroad for the last three years and I can only come back to my country occasionally for vacations or renew my visa. Thus, this video game is becoming a way to connect with someone that I really care for. While we complete quests, we chat about our lives and catch up with random things. It is our bonding time and I really look for that moment and try to have some free time during the weekend for gaming with my brother. I am not particularly good on it. We die and respawn all the time. I like the idea that games can be also a way to connect with friends and relatives, overcoming physical barriers, not just a way to isolate yourself from the World. I kinda saw that also between Ray and his experienced brother, Shu. Most likely than not, I will keep watching this anime because of that.


I found some details during the episode that were very accurate, for instance. when Shu gave Ray the items that he had prepared for him, so they can party together -well, it also feels like Doraemon haha-, it is a classic.  You can see that during the first two episodes Shu was taking good care of Ray. I also found funny when Ray asked for one of the most difficult jobs to get, and Shu made it happen -oh boy, Ray, you're a bitch-. It was cute to see. I also really like the dialogue that they had at the inn when they were having dinner. It felt like real bonding time.

I liked Shu, the protagonist older brother. You can tell that he has built his character in the game. His design is not only cute (he uses a Bear custome all the time), it is also very welcoming.  You can also feel his actual physical presence in the world of Infinite Dendrogram, like in episode two, when he explained that he failed on participating in the war to defend the kingdom -he regrets that- or in episode one when he provoked (in part) the quest that put in danger the life of the little sister of "paladin-waifu."


Sadly, Shu is not even mentioned in Episode 3, but I feel that he is going to be an important part in the story. I hope that (I am afraid because they said farewell at some point of episode two, which for me, would be a waste if they don't exploit their relationship as they did in this first two episodes).

Finally, something that I really liked is that they manage to create some tension by explaining that there is some kind of perma death for NPCs. I think that it is an idea not explored in other animes (yes, I am tired of the death-in-game=death-in-life). In fact, if a game would implement that, it would be genuinely  amazing concept. A game where the consequences of every player would affect others is a great idea -Do you imagine a MMO liket that today? I mean real shared consequences- This NPC perma death concept also introduced what seems to be the main conflict of this serie: the selfish actions of the players are harming NPCs and themselves. I believe that it is a very interesting concept. I see some potential in this anime, even when the first two episodes were not as good.


In conclusion, I really like this anime. It is exploring some ideas that I don't see often in other MMO animes. I hope this will be one of the favorite options for this season that may bring some new air to the dying genre of MMO animes.