Darwin's Game is a Japanese manga series, which was written and illustrated by FLIPFLOPs (Nekogami Yaoyorozu, Sekaiju no Meikyuu, Suzu Rogu). An anime television series adaptation made by Nexus (Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry, Wakaba*Girl, Comic Girls) aired on January 3, 2020. The final episode aired on March 20, 2020. The anime focuses on 17-year old Kaname Sudou, who accepts an online invitation from a friend to play a mobile game called Darwin's Game. He had no idea that the game involves a fight between the two players and you might actually die both in the game and in real life. To win the fight, playersare given a Sigil, an evolutionary ability that varies from player to player and only the most skillful players will be able to clear the game and survive. Kaname determines to clear the game, find the creators of the game and take revenge upon them.
The storyline has simply everything for it to sound somewhat unique. Indeed, there is a number of clichés, but it is still somewhat unique. You have to agree with me on one simple fact that a mobile game application, which somehow unlocks supernatural powers (sigils) for its players, does sound quite interesting. As well as the fact that it is just 'a mobile game' and that most of the players in Darwin's Game are probably getting sucked in by accident like Kaname, which adds a bit of drama and makes the series even more interesting. And it might sound as if the anime's storyline is flawless (except for clichés) and there is nothing to criticize. Yet, one big flaw Darwin's Game suffers is the fact that 11 episodes is not near enough for any storyline to get a reasonable development. So what I am trying to say is that, if it does not get a new season, which will have 12, or more episodes, Darwin's Game is just average. However, if does get a new season, this series is pretty good.
The animation style is kind of dark, character designs, background, and action scenes are quite good. The only problem; however, is that the anime sometimes uses CGI that does not look too good, as well as the fact that some characters look too alike. But it is not a bid deal, since the CGI is used not that often. Sound wise, the anime has some good opening and ending themes, as well as a nice OST. The bad thing; however, is that there should have been more tracks.
Character wise, the series starts with the 2 main protagonists. Kaname Sudou is sucked in the game by accident. He is a typical teenager and just a guy, who refuses to kill his opponents in the game. However, when he loses his close friend, which happens in the very first episode, he changes and decides to do whatever he can to clear the game and to take revenge upon the creators of the game. Karino Shuka is the second main protagonist in the series and is the person that explains Kaname Sudou most of the details about the game. Shuka is typically friendly with people but can become deadly if needed, she wants to form a clan in the game to have more chances to clear the game.
Of course, there are also many supporting characters, because to form a clan, you need more than 2 clan members. (Shuka will be fine to form clan only with Sudou, though). And they are pretty much as interesting as the protagonists of the series, they all want to clear the game and no one is delusional as it was for Amano Yukiteru in Future Dairy. They all understand that to clear the game you might have to kill and they are ready to do it. Anyways, with that being said, all characters are quite interesting to follow, they change and are trying to adapt in order to clear the game. However, just like for storyline I do have one big complaint to voice. 11 episodes is not near enough for the series to show enough development. As mentioned before, new season, or a movie might fix this problem, but for now characters do suffer lack of development.
All in all, this show is not that bad as it first seemed. I do admit that it is not flawless and has its flaws, but it still looks somewhat unique, when comparing to the most of the airing series. I am only giving it 7/10, if the series gets a new season, or a movie to continue its story. Without a continuation, in my opinion, all it deserves is something between 4 and 6/10. If you like Mirai Nikki, Accel World, Gantz and Btooom!, chances are, you will find Darwin's Game quite enjoyable. Indeed, it cannot be called a masterpiece, but it is quite enjoyable nevertheless.