The Darwin Incident
| Darwin Jihen was one of my most anticipated anime for Winter 2026, but the ratings are surprisingly low. Because of that, I’m honestly losing motivation to start it. Is it really that bad, or is the reception being overblown? |
| It was my most anticipated series both of the winter season and of the year as a whole, and indeed it turned out thus far to meet expectations to be my favorite series of the season (this isn't bias in the sense of already going into it with a positive attitude and treating it favorably automatically due to such - plenty of series in the past I was excited for but proved lackluster instantly or early on and was very disappointed in the execution of), but was inevitably bound to be a divisive one because of the subject matter, regardless of exactly how it was approached. This is true for any series, but on series like this in particular where the plot deals in some contentious, provocative, and controversial issues, you're not going to get any real valuable opinion or insight by someone claiming they love it and why it is golden and another claiming they hate it and why it is garbage and A, B, C, X, Y, Z reasons why. It's all going to be influenced by their ideology, worldview, and life experience up to that point. Some will claim the anime is glorifying certain movements or ideas, while others will say it's demonizing or vilifying or focusing on the wrong things. Some will say this or that aspect is unrealistic, exaggerated, or too cartoonish because it doesn't speak to their own experience or perspective on a given topic, whereas the exact opposite will be true of the next person. Again, true of any media, but this is a textbook example of one inherently destined to provoke those polarized reactions. It's a fairly dialogue-heavy series incorporating real world issues, which in the world setting of the show are front and center and slightly amplified and dramatized because that's what the plot is based around and it provides the juiciness. Just try watching it for yourself and decide. Why ever gain or lose any motivation due to a rating? I get looking to it out of curiosity - I do so as well; the same as reviews and other similar info. But there's no greater determinative factor than just taking in something with your own eyes and ears and seeing how you personally uniquely react to it. Other people can't meaningfully ascertain how you'll feel about it. |
| Somehow, a few goobers seem impressed by it, but I think having even just superficial knowledge about political and social issues, as well as a slightly exigent palate for quality of script and dialogue, it is impossible to enjoy this show. Each line being stupider than the previous, and the whole thing being so parodic of American society, it's very hard to take anything that happens in the show seriously. |
| I gave it a try because the story seemed interesting, despite having an inkling that I would dislike it, and it turned out the inkling I had was right. Regarding whether you will enjoy it, the only thing I can say is to give it a watch and form your own opinion. |
| It looked interesting at first glance to me tbh, and I watched the four episodes to date with a friend, but neither of us liked the show. Dialogues feel dumb, the interactions and script are really lackluster in what it was trying to convey, the art style looks boring and sometimes ugly, the directing isn't really interesting at all neither in the shots nor sequences, etc. Still, if it was one of your anticipated ones, you should give it a try regardless imo. |
| Start was interesting but then the show decided to go full retard and make 0 or close to 0 sense. It's always best you make your own decisions, but I think low score is fair in this case. The show is genuinely disappointing and apparently we're having a school-shooter episode coming next. I have doubts it'll be handled well or received well. Having below mid animation doesn't help either. Maybe you'll find more value in it? |
| The writing reminds me of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, in that nuanced takes on a variety of political issues are so simplified to be back and white as to be unengaging. Yes, in the real world most people's political opinions are not well-developed, but realism should not take precedence over thoughtfulness and relevance. There are philosophical essays from the likes of Peter Singer and Gary L. Francione, just as their are Christian apologetics and essays proclaiming the sensibility of atheism. Why on Earth would you want to make a show about the average Twitter spat and its level of sophistication, and who would want to watch it instead of something more thought-provoking? This show views any debate or discussion as being intrinsic substantiative, but the discussion it presents is little different than the typical Jubilee video. The show is "enlightened centrism" the anime. |
"Have we not eaten while another starved? Will you punish us for that? Will you reward us for the virtue of starving while others ate? No man earns punishment, no man earns reward. Free your mind of the idea of deserving, the idea of earning, and you will begin to be able to think.” |
| As someone who reads the manga, I would say that the anime is fine, but I think the production could have been a lot better in a more experienced studio. Also, it came in a season with a lot of popular sequels, so it was easy to get buried by them. I would suggest ignoring the ratings and give it a chance to see if you will like it or not. |
| Probably it’s because they used gen AI to do users’ profile pictures in a 3 second shot in the second episode. That’s when the rating dropped down significantly. |
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| It might have been decent if it were a parody of the USA, but the problem is that the author is 100% serious about it. |
| the problem is it takes itself seriously while being wrong in so many regards, as someone with basic political knowledge this would be a better comedy... It gives a bad taste about politics, but that is why I'm watching it, it's legit bad enough to be watched with pleasure. Everytime someone raises a question, There is an certain answer but all of them. People in this act so stupidly... Legit a 7... Love how it has the potential to hook u if u ain't political enough, Half of the issues have been the topic of discussion for Jr. grade debaters... Watch it because even if the indications are wrong and stuff it's enjoyable of whats it tryna be, I see it as a serious paraody |
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| I tried to watch it and it sucks major ass. Everything is so shallow, maybe it gets better? Idk, that pseudo villain is so bad that I just can’t watch it, besides the cops in this anime trained at stars wars school, 0% accuracy. |
DeityNyxCiara-_- said: the problem is it takes itself seriously while being wrong in so many regards, as someone with basic political knowledge this would be a better comedy What, precisely, has it been "wrong" about? See a lot of people claiming and stating this and similar things without substantiating it with any evidence. There isn't a single political or philosophical belief and idea in the series which I haven't heard expressed by people in real life in some capacity at some point. Much of the dialogue providing snippets of characters' beliefs and motivations in terms of ideals and lofty aspirations, long-term goals, etc. (ex. - to break down the barrier between human animals and non-human animals legally and socially) is definitely representative of real world ideologies. They're portrayed as somewhat fringe and radical in the series, as they are in ours (arguably even moreso in real life). So what exactly would possession of "basic political knowledge" (which I would argue I certainly have and then some), preclude anyone from believing or taking as a serious story here? That some characters' facial expressions can be a little exaggerated (like Ozzy, purposefully being portrayed as a teenaged antagonistic bully and bit of a buffoon and thuggish character) or in their focus on these issues topical to the anime's plot can be a little one-note or one-dimensional? It's fiction. But that doesn't actually make anything any characters have said unrealistic or unrepresentative of real world beliefs which have been around for a long time. You may find those ideas stupid and disagree with them, and find the characters stupid or obnoxious as a result, but nothing about that makes it an inaccurate portrayal of the types of arguments plenty of people who hold the same or similar beliefs in our world would make and have made. That there is presently no real active ALA-esque organization committing terrorist bombings of soft civilian targets in American cities or an actual U.S. Congresswoman advocating for comprehensive overturning of the social order in terms of human treatment of non-human animals is why it's a fictional story and not a documentary, and what makes it interesting and compelling. Neither even seem that farfetched if you know about the actual history of terrorist movements in the U.S. and globally and what they have committed in what manner for what declared ends, from leftist to theocratic to racial and ethnic separatist and supremacist ones. I would argue that radical animal rights' movements with some concern for scientific research and inquiry to justify their positions and actions are a lot more understandable and logical than real life theocratic terrorist organizations which have committed massacres of many hundreds, thousands - tens of thousands of people in some cases, over completely fictitious ancient religious texts. |
WatchTillTandavaFeb 5, 1:51 PM
ZXEAN said: Darwin Jihen was one of my most anticipated anime for Winter 2026, but the ratings are surprisingly low. Because of that, I’m honestly losing motivation to start it. Is it really that bad, or is the reception being overblown? Personally i always recommend to check out a show for oneself and make up your own mind about it as what's disappointing for one person may turn out not to be for another That said, if you want to hear my personal opinion on the anime... Disappointing is an understatement T^T I too was very looking fowerd to this one as on paper the premis looks incredibly imaginitive and intriguing... unfortunately the script writing is an abomination, this show does not know the art of subtlety as even when it tries to be neutral with presenting it's themes it still feels like it's shoving the OG creator's ideology down the audiences throat and this really detracts from executing the fundimentals of storytelling like character developement and worldbuilding Now i don't know if the OG manga is also like this or if the adaptation just did him dirty, but i'm not gonna find out anytime soon as this anime has left quite the sour taste in my mought |
DigiCatFeb 5, 2:51 PM
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Reply to 444pipirupi
i think is pretty funny for what it is, a satire about american politics
| @444pipirupi If the manga truely is satire, i'm sorry, but the anime did it dirty |
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| While this anime does have its problems, it's not as bad as the ratings make it out to be. The concept is a very interesting one that I don't think has ever really been explored in anime. Storyline is good too if you ask me, and I'm liking the character so far. My biggest problem with the anime is that the commentary is too much on the nose at times. Characters just shout out political exposition in the dialogue, even when it's not needed or related to the political topic. This season isn't done airing yet so I won't have this as a critique yet, but I also think they focus too much on the political commentary at times and not enough on the science aspects. The science aspects is the main reason I was excited for this anime. However, credit where credit is due, the commentary is nuanced. It's not just "vegans bad, non vegans good" nor the other way around. Both sides have good and bad people. So far, we've been shown the most typical vegan arguments out there. But if they save the deeper commentary for later on, then I won't mind. Sometimes, we just need simple introductions to things. Especially for those who are not well versed in politics, let alone the shitshow of American politics. |
| If I had to choose between One Piece and a girlfriend...I think I'll go with One Piece |
| I still think it's one of the more interesting series of this season, but interesting doesn't necessarily equal good. While the show certainly has potential, it also has quite some issues. In that regard the current score is about right where I would rate it at this point. |
Reply to Jimgus
I have a problem with how the author seems to understand his chimpanzee--human hybrid character better than he does North American culture or lifestyle. In the small town Missouri area the setting is trying to portray many people would have jobs connected to agriculture be it the slaughter of animals and the processing of meat or surrounding businesses like distribution or the maintenance of equipment and their motivations wouldn't be based around these campus talking points but instead around their own realities. To put this into context more than 10% of all jobs in Missouri are related to agribusiness in some way so the majority of people would have someone in their family or a family friend who's job depended on its existence. If there really was a vegan terrorist group you wouldn't have teenagers debating the consciousness of animals but instead feeling their parent's livelihood are being threatened. The lack of a religious element in the story is also very strange. Many religions Christian or otherwise would see Charlie as an abomination and there would be a ton of negative rhetoric and protests surrounding him and alongside celebration of his existence there would be calls for him to be euthanized and controversy over his very existence. I really can't see this story taking place in the United States, and much less so in Missouri specifically. Perhaps in a less secular, more urban country like Japan this story could feel believable but not in the States.
| @Jimgus Agree with most of what you say here I'd add that the author's lack of understanding of rural american lifestyle also contributes to the portayal of the story's themes being so one sided I feel he's more concered with pushing his own beliefs than actually exploring the topic and having an intelligent conversation about it |
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| I've liked the starting premise and the action sequences so far, but most of the characters are just awful. It's hard to take Charlie seriously when his opposition is comprised mostly of cartoon characters. |
MALoween 2025 Candy:       ///    |
| kind of both, the hate was from the first episode when it still had a lot of potential and it's overall decent in many aspects but the plot and some characters ruin the rest completely imo. |
| Deep dark fantasies |
| I think the low score mostly stems from the unimpressive production and direction. To me the plot is entertaining enough to consider this to be a good series overall. |
One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron |
Reply to PurrifuralVision
The writing reminds me of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, in that nuanced takes on a variety of political issues are so simplified to be back and white as to be unengaging. Yes, in the real world most people's political opinions are not well-developed, but realism should not take precedence over thoughtfulness and relevance. There are philosophical essays from the likes of Peter Singer and Gary L. Francione, just as their are Christian apologetics and essays proclaiming the sensibility of atheism.
Why on Earth would you want to make a show about the average Twitter spat and its level of sophistication, and who would want to watch it instead of something more thought-provoking? This show views any debate or discussion as being intrinsic substantiative, but the discussion it presents is little different than the typical Jubilee video. The show is "enlightened centrism" the anime.
Why on Earth would you want to make a show about the average Twitter spat and its level of sophistication, and who would want to watch it instead of something more thought-provoking? This show views any debate or discussion as being intrinsic substantiative, but the discussion it presents is little different than the typical Jubilee video. The show is "enlightened centrism" the anime.
| @PurrifuralVision I think the problem you describe with Deus Ex: Human Revolution and also happens in this series is why i really apreciate series like Standalone Complex or Genocidal Organ. While it is kinda unrealistic that everyone is so well versed in complex philosophy and political theory, that kind of script writing is leagues better than doing what this series does or the game in question. The entire series feels very strawman'y or just so simplistic a 13 year old might have wrote it, kinda like what happens online where everyone is trying to do get a "gotcha!" argument where they are the chad and you are the soyjack. Hell i think "The Batman" did a way better job at doing what this series tries to do |
Reply to Ani_me_shon
This anime does not give a clear black and white view of anything. It also does not take any side or preach anything.
Its nice that at least one country in the world has a few people viewing things as is instead of their own personal ideology.
Its nice that at least one country in the world has a few people viewing things as is instead of their own personal ideology.
| @Ani_me_shon Not preaching anything? LMAO did we watch the same show?? |
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DigiCat said: Not preaching anything? LMAO did we watch the same show?? The characters, some of them, are in ideological conflict with one another and preaching in favor of their beliefs at and against the opposing camps. That isn't the series itself - as in the objective authoritative voice of the author - preaching anything. That is a depiction of characters with opposing views and goals. It's no more the series championing and endorsing any particular individual one of them than a series following a mobster or serial killer is preaching the righteousness and virtue of organized crime or serial killing. To imply or claim that this series is preaching any one belief is to claim that any series or film supports anything or everything its characters think, say, or do merely by virtue of depicting them. |
Ani_me_shon said: What did it preach according to you? WatchTillTandava said: The characters, some of them, are in ideological conflict with one another and preaching in favor of their beliefs at and against the opposing camps. That isn't the series itself - as in the objective authoritative voice of the author - preaching anything. That is a depiction of characters with opposing views and goals. It's no more the series championing and endorsing any particular individual one of them than a series following a mobster or serial killer is preaching the righteousness and virtue of organized crime or serial killing. To imply or claim that this series is preaching any one belief is to claim that any series or film supports anything or everything its characters think, say, or do merely by virtue of depicting them. While the series does show opposing views and tries to be neutral, i feel the way the script is written in the anime is still very one sided in it's portrayal of the themes it tackles, mainly veganism (note i haven't read the manga so i don't know if it shares the same vibe as the anime in it's writing style) |
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