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Jan 7, 6:59 AM
#1

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Nov 2011
131355
Not going to lie, I like the overall look and style of this show so far. Yuuki and the main players are introduced so far and it features an all female cast.

I think it's an interesting premise and they got this started right away with wasting time. There's also some cleverly placed camera angles Yuuki and the character emotions. Even for a premiere epsiode, it felt eerie with high risk and the impression that no one can really be trusted.
Jan 7, 7:00 AM
#2

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Jul 2017
17654
From the director and studio that gave us Summer 2024's Gimai Seikatsu, Souta Ueno and Studio Deen are back, this time helming novelist Yushi Ukai's lone series of a death game scenario, where that is the bread-and-butter of living.

A wake-up call to a meeting for the maid Yuki, with this being her 28th time amongst the other newbie players of 1st timers Kinko, Beniya, Momono and Aoi alongside 2nd timer Kokuto, the veteran is the clear senior in a game where players are riddied of their own debt to be trapped in an escape game where death is but all imminent, if they don't work together. In essence, this is quite the mash-up of Among Us & Spring 2014's Akuma no Riddle, where traps are laid all over the manor, and no one's any wiser when they could meet death any second, with quite possibly an audience watching them.

As slow as it is, the remaining 5 maid girls trying to stay calm in a situation where nerves could get the best of them, and something as simple as finding the keys out that activate quite the death trap to instantly kill Kokuto. there's only but one way forward so that the sacrifices from the others will not be in vain. And even in a locked room where the group's reminder fights off being drowned and/or guillotined to death, and fighting over the keys to unlock their shackles, it's a game of favorites where one has to die here, and Aoi took that brunt that left Kinko traumatized of her death.

Onto the next room, and the 4 girls left, with the one clear outlier having to be left behind and tortured to death, and Yuki contemplating to cut off their body parts to meet the weight requirement of the sauna, since it can be regenerated by Preservation Treatment. Kinko volunteering to be the sacrificial lamb, when Yuki advised against it to either sacrifice either Beniya or Momono instead since they weigh heavier and Kinko is the lightest among them. The words of wisdom from the Senpai to Kinko to want to make it to the end of the game, and Kinko ultimately being sacrificed to clear the game, there's that...but Yuki going through the motions like it was nothing to use the players to her own benefit, and the game resets to when she chooses to start her sortie all over again.

Quite the hour-long premiere that sets up possible scenarios for the series to come. Definitely keeping my eye on this as one of the best premieres of the Winter season, as expected from the storyboarding mastery of Souta Ueno himself.
Jan 7, 7:00 AM
#3
🍅 Tomato 🍅

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Feb 2020
131462
Interesting start. Pretty cool art style.

I didn't expect a double-length episode. Nice surprise.

This reminds me of Akuma no Riddle.

SerafosJan 7, 7:04 AM
Jan 7, 7:03 AM
#4
fanservice<3

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Mar 2012
13429
I'm not gonna lie, im pretty damn confused as what the hell was evening happening.... does she go back in time when the game is over or is everyone healed?

i guess don't spoil if answering would spoil anything lol


anyway... I'm waiting for the comparisons between one of the girls and a girl from a Gacha from last year

ps: Yuki is pretty damn waifu material so far


ps: yes i get it, now stop responding lol maybe i just didn't wanna believe they were dead so fast
EcchiGodMamsterJan 13, 8:08 PM
Jan 7, 7:09 AM
#5

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Mar 2021
3352
This was very interesting was a bit confusing at first but it's well worth watching.
Jan 7, 7:29 AM
#6

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Dec 2010
160
pretty fucked up but hey Idk if there gonna be 11 episodes of killing if they already off 2 in first ep, unless they keep brining new girls in
Jan 7, 7:34 AM
#7
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Mar 2025
28
I’ve watched the novel, I’ve watched the manga, but I’m still in awe watching Episode 1.

“Director of Gimai Seikatsu” does have a meaning
Jan 7, 7:35 AM
#8
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Mar 2017
136
An actual good fucking death game show, where they don't spent half an episode explaining to the viewer like we are retarded what they have to do to get out. There are traps, there are games, don't die, get out, simple; no need for monologuing like a retard every move, power the character is going to use to pass the games. What a breath of fresh air!

Also, studio fucking Deen had a budget and good, talented people making this death show... they went so fucking hard on the artsy side with the art style and the direction... my fucking god... chef's kiss.

The tension building, the "white" gory aspect of it done impeccably, the atmosphere and the whole vibe this show manages to do is out of this world... for Studio Fucking Deen?????

10/10 the best death game on the market right now. What a pleasant surprise!

Also, put the phone fucking down when you are watching this shit lol. Can't understand how people can't understand lol what's going on lol. So many "please explain me in straight 10000 words/10 min what is going on senpai" people.
Jan 7, 7:36 AM
#9
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Oct 2019
2
EcchiGodMamster said:
I'm not gonna lie, im pretty damn confused as what the hell was evening happening.... does she go back in time when the game is over or is everyone healed?

i guess don't spoil if answering would spoil anything lol


anyway... I'm waiting for the comparisons between one of the girls and a girl from a Gacha from last year

ps: Yuki is pretty damn waifu material so far

I havent seen the episode but from the books they have a preservation system. After games because of how the preservation system works and the state of art medical system they can essentially reattach and heal you up easily.
Jan 7, 7:38 AM

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Dec 2015
328
Reply to EcchiGodMamster
I'm not gonna lie, im pretty damn confused as what the hell was evening happening.... does she go back in time when the game is over or is everyone healed?

i guess don't spoil if answering would spoil anything lol


anyway... I'm waiting for the comparisons between one of the girls and a girl from a Gacha from last year

ps: Yuki is pretty damn waifu material so far


ps: yes i get it, now stop responding lol maybe i just didn't wanna believe they were dead so fast
@EcchiGodMamster there is whats called the preservation treatment, which has been mentioned for a bit, basically all the player have undergone some medical procedure so that any blood are instantly turned into those fluffy white stuff so they dont bleed to death and any injuries that doesnt cause death can be treated, reattaching limbs is just small matters

anw very solid episode, very atmospheric, deen really cooked, im so happy because other adaptation that im looking forward to was kinda ass, like your forma and wandance
Jan 7, 7:49 AM

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Nov 2016
33259
Figured Yuki would kill at least one of them before the game ends. There was obvious foreshadowing.

If Squid Game and Saw had a child, throw in colorfully cute girls in maid outfits for good measure to make it anime-esque xD

Surprisingly engaging start and loved that it was twice the usual length. Not sure if not showing their faces was part of the artistic direction or just due to production schedule, or both. Direction in general was really solid, tho.

One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron


Jan 7, 7:57 AM

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May 2015
3643
This show is very cinematic, and Yuki's a hardcore protagonist. But I guess surviving 27 death games would do that to you.

It's a tragedy that the group ended up losing so many people even though they were as cooperative as one could be in such a dire life and death situation.

That preservation treatment certainly did its job of lowering the brutalness of things. Still such a concept only piques my curiosity on what Yuki's might have gone through in her 28 death game survival streak.

I can't wait for the next episode!
Jan 7, 8:01 AM
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Apr 2016
7
Hah, they skipped, skipped everything. I expect the girls to be despressed, despair. But nope, the studio skipped all. Like: Hey bro i'm going to make a survival, psychological, trauma anime, BUT FOR KIDS ONLY.
Jan 7, 8:27 AM

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Aug 2022
2754
So I uuuuhhh...

um.... ...................

After pretty much dodging unconsciously anything too crazy the last year this kinda like. Ngl I literally don't know how to word this, I mean its not that it was like super gory or anything I've watched worse but idk like the way it all happened kinda just. uuhh yeah.

Going from the first death which was abrupt but blown over to.. that kinda like just traumatised me. I jokingly said to myself it would be funny if a bunch of massive chainsaws started descending and just minced them all up. I unironically thought they were all gonna or most of them at least drown but no somehow I joked the most traumatic death into existence. Like I've watched all of squid game a show with way more gore and somehow this was far worse to watch. I suppose seeing a cute anime girl get torn up like that does that. Even without the blood.

Honestly I'll probably go numb to it quickly I've just been watching too many fluffy anime so the jump to this kinda traumatised me.


Yapping aside this definitely is gonna be amazing, the production value and direction is superb and the plot is simple but well executed. I don't really know how this will work since I find it kinda stupid if they all just play again. Yuki will obviously thats the point, Im assuming the other 3 did really die since if they didn't that kinda kills the show a bit for me.

at the same time it does mean they'll have to start throwing in new girls each episode. But we will see.

Honestly a incredible first episode
Jan 7, 8:28 AM
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Jul 2023
1490
The suspense was real, the atmosphere lighthearted but thick with suspicion, the background music plays subtle change hinted at despair, and the beautiful visuals hide the brutality.

Jan 7, 8:38 AM
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Jan 2023
118
HOLYY FUCKK ME WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST WATCH
souta ueno you are a genius
slayer70Jan 7, 8:44 AM
Jan 7, 8:41 AM
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Nov 2017
194
Nah bro is Kinko actually gone... I was hoping for some yuri between her and Yuki...
Jan 7, 8:43 AM

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Mar 2011
163
Ive been waiting for this! The face not being drawn feels a bit off. It is what it is. I just need to get used to it. Their blood turning into cotton makes it less realistic.
I still like this show. Looking forward to the next episode.
Jan 7, 8:47 AM
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Mar 2015
1
What a direction, it was awesome
Jan 7, 8:54 AM

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Jul 2021
369
Promising start. ngl Aoi's death was kinda eerie.

I love the direction and the ambience. Some things are still unclear giving its just the first episode, but it's definitely worth keeping up
YN_ONJan 7, 9:03 AM
Jan 7, 8:58 AM
Forever Ai's fan

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Oct 2017
31157
Wasn't expecting an extended premiere but that was a good intro to what to expect and also a look into Yuki's character. The visuals are stunning, specially the eyes. Can't believe deen is putting effort. The usual death game type of series but the presentation here is really cool. While nothing here felt mind blowing but it had some impactful moments. Btw I couldn't really tell what that counter was about. My mind's still stuck on that.
MegamiRemJan 7, 6:39 PM
Jan 7, 9:08 AM

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Aug 2017
821
Be on your guard against everything, especially on people who didn't guard against everything! Yuuki plays with everyone even if she really wants to go out with no dead!
Jan 7, 9:47 AM

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Feb 2008
4489
Really enjoyed this first episode, and I especially liked the art style.
This season is definitely packed with good stuff.
Jan 7, 9:49 AM
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Jan 2020
2439
Souta Ueno, I kneel. You barely get a directing galore like this unless it's something by Shaft. It's amazing what he could with proper time and resources compared to Gimai Seikatsu.
Jan 7, 9:50 AM
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Mar 2024
372
ABSOLUTE FUCKING PEAK
BEST PREMIER OF THE SEASON
Jan 7, 9:51 AM
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Mar 2024
372
So I'm wondering if we are gonna get new side characters every episode or not
Jan 7, 9:53 AM

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Sep 2018
5665
Immediately adding the director to my favorites because Gimai Seikatsu could have been a fluke, but 2/2 goated adaptations despite Deen's very limited resources can't be a coincidence.
Jan 7, 9:55 AM

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Jul 2016
4079
The way they become faceless and almost low-poly from a distance reminds me a lot of Ghost Trick.

Kinko barely reacting to Yuki's decision at the end was haunting. Didn't help that she took her sweet time too.
Jan 7, 9:55 AM
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Jun 2025
480
OK, its said "death games" in the title, I should have taken that seriously 🫣 I'll give my best to keep up with it, some interesting moral questions and I liked the art style.
Jan 7, 10:01 AM
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Jun 2016
124
Really loved Kinko, I wonder if we will keep playing games with same chars or there will be more?
Jan 7, 10:20 AM
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Apr 2023
485
never in my life would I've expected my best premiere of the season would be by Deen with a stepsister director, jokes aside it's my favourite premiere of this season along side Strange Fake, and really excited what the director's next project is, both Days with my Stepsister and Shiboyugi are very well directed, i felt the horror on this one which i haven't felt in a long time with horror anime, Hikaru was a good show but didn't hit the horror for me that much, but this one had really did the horror and suspense really well, really hope this doesn't fell off and remains consistent throughout its entire run and have a peak finale which should be obvious with yuki's dead, I'll be surprised it's a ending where she lives and also a satisfying conclusion at the same time
Jan 7, 10:24 AM
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Apr 2023
371
there's just way too much peak this season
Jan 7, 10:24 AM
fanservice<3

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Mar 2012
13429
LarryJr93 said:
I havent seen the episode but from the books they have a preservation system. After games because of how the preservation system works and the state of art medical system they can essentially reattach and heal you up easily.


Exeterna said:
@EcchiGodMamster there is whats called the preservation treatment, which has been mentioned for a bit, basically all the player have undergone some medical procedure so that any blood are instantly turned into those fluffy white stuff so they dont bleed to death and any injuries that doesnt cause death can be treated, reattaching limbs is just small matters


ok thats pretty much the gist i was getting
Jan 7, 10:25 AM
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Apr 2023
371
Ronninn said:
Souta Ueno, I kneel. You barely get a directing galore like this unless it's something by Shaft. It's amazing what he could with proper time and resources compared to Gimai Seikatsu.

still did great work on Gimai Seikatsu btw
Jan 7, 10:27 AM
Panzer Vor!

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Jun 2014
531
Holy shit, i can't express how absurd this was, i am missing words for it, the direction was beyond this world, and the soundtrack was amazing too, i had to pause in the second death....not gonna lie, that was extremely hard to watch.
Almost certain that this will be the best season premiere for me.
Jan 7, 10:35 AM
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May 2021
3441
Budget of these eyes is more than OPM S3 whole season combined lmao
Jan 7, 10:36 AM

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Feb 2019
12516
Been waiting for this one for a long ever since I saw the LN in store in Japan. Wow what a start. More proof that teams and staff matter more than studio names because since when did Deen have this in their bag? I know it’s the same director as Gimai seikatsu but this was light years beyond even that. I’m struggling to even come up with words to adequately express how moved I am.

That opening sequence is incredible, seamlessly transitions into the episode itself which starts out very reminiscent of the original SAW but with one of the most gorgeous art directions I’ve ever seen. This entire episode feels like a piece of fanart brought to life with the backdrop of some of the most horrific shit you’ll ever see. There’s just something so jarring about these cute girls in maid outfits fighting for their lives in a death game for money to survive. How desperate must you be to put your life on the line for money like this?

I really thought they were going to all somehow get out ok until Koukutou went down. BUT OH MY GOD NOTHING WOULD HAVE PREPARED ME FOR AOI’s DEATH, that is one of the most uncomfortable scenes I’ve ever witnessed in an anime. Even though we only hear it, just hearing her screams as she’s chopped up is horrifying. If that weren’t enough, the girls having to cut their limbs off to get out and it STILL not being enough.

“Then if I make it home alive, I’ll try to do that.” Yea I saw that coming from a mile away but holy shit Kinko deserved better. She was truly the purest of the group 🥺 that hurt a lot, but it is definitely nice to have a morally grey white haired cute girl as my MC again. I’m really interested in learning about this world and why Yuki is doing what she’s doing, why the fixation on 99 games? What’s the wider world like? So many questions!! Great premiere
Marinate1016Jan 7, 8:35 PM
Jan 7, 10:48 AM
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Jul 2023
23
Reply to HibikiNeko
Really loved Kinko, I wonder if we will keep playing games with same chars or there will be more?
@HibikiNeko each arc of this series will show some different characters, or the old ones from older games can comeback, after all you can join this game as many as you want to. Just watch, more interesting things are coming
Jan 7, 10:56 AM

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Aug 2025
21
Yuuki's ultimate goal is to complete 99 death games.

Here are my thoughts about the first episode. I think that Yuuki is trying to help everyone survive and complete the death game altogether, but when she faced choices between sacrificing a team member or progress to the next stage of the game, she will choose the first option because she wants to reach her goal. I think this can explains why she saved Kinko but killed her later to complete the game.

They wasted no time explaining how the game works and went straight to the point. The storytelling is great in this 47mins long episode, traumatizing me who thought this would be a normal high stakes game anime in the process.

The animation is very unique, I have never seen anything like this before, the difference between long shot and close up camera angles have really helped develop a elegant yet mysterious and creepy environment for these 5 maids playing a death game.

I'm having high hopes over this anime and I can't wait to see the next episode and the character development of Yuuki and other girls.






Aystarion44Jan 7, 11:05 AM
Jan 7, 10:58 AM

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Jun 2019
7112
One of the most anticipated shows for me, just for Souta Ueno's sake. One of my favorite upcoming directors in the industry, and I'm glad to say that he didn't disappoint one bit. So good. The show and the start could be a bit confusing, and I can't blame anyone else for thinking that as well. It is like that. LOL.

So GOOD!!! Souta Ueno... My GOAT. The direction and storyboarding are pristine, and I'm very sure that it will continue to keep this level. Yuki, very cute. And, pretty art style.
Jan 7, 11:01 AM
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May 2021
3441
why was there no blood though???? I am confused
Jan 7, 11:02 AM
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Sep 2019
106
This looks so good. Same director as Gimai Seikatsu, 100% will continue watching.
Jan 7, 11:15 AM
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Dec 2024
66
The animation is so good and the art style is so cool bro as for what I was left like after the first episode. I thought shit was sweet and no I was wrong and I'm now watching cute animal videos 👍 but still peak
Jan 7, 11:16 AM
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Dec 2025
11
Well that was some grade A+ bullshit.
Jan 7, 11:23 AM
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May 2021
3441
Aystarion44 said:
Yuuki's ultimate goal is to complete 99 death games.

Here are my thoughts about the first episode. I think that Yuuki is trying to help everyone survive and complete the death game altogether, but when she faced choices between sacrificing a team member or progress to the next stage of the game, she will choose the first option because she wants to reach her goal. I think this can explains why she saved Kinko but killed her later to complete the game.

They wasted no time explaining how the game works and went straight to the point. The storytelling is great in this 47mins long episode, traumatizing me who thought this would be a normal high stakes game anime in the process.

The animation is very unique, I have never seen anything like this before, the difference between long shot and close up camera angles have really helped develop a elegant yet mysterious and creepy environment for these 5 maids playing a death game.

I'm having high hopes over this anime and I can't wait to see the next episode and the character development of Yuuki and other girls.







how did she cleared the game by killing that blonde girl at end ?? and what happened to the other 2?? I am a bit confused.
Jan 7, 12:16 PM
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May 2020
1336
This is so well done and so messed up. Sui wants to go pew, pew, pew...
Jan 7, 12:18 PM

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Jan 2008
18561
The art style is a standout and its uniqueness is carrying the show for me. For being a death game, it was far more tame than I expected. Honestly kind of just felt like random bullshit go scenarios and with them being 'solved' or dealt with on the spot, there's was no chance for immersion or viewer participation. I assume this first episode is just to get a run down of how the game works and the next won't be as much of a speed run?
Jan 7, 12:20 PM

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Dec 2025
11
WTF that was crazy. i was initially assuming it was going to be slow paced. like, maybe theyre going thru a few puzzles each episode or something. but i'm not against this pacing now that i know the main character's goal. im assuming from now onwards it'll be two episodes per game? ill remember to not get attached to any characters...(´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥`)

the aesthetics, the characters, the art, the voice acting.... all great. i love that whole perservation thing with the stuffing
Jan 7, 12:23 PM

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Nov 2016
41
At the end of the episode, Yuki said she wants to finish 99 games. This was her 28th game.

The art style is pretty interesting. The only thing I disliked was that there was no blood.
Jan 7, 12:33 PM

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Oct 2015
1775
Much better than Danganronpa I can say atleast
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