Steins;Gate Anime Review

Stein;Gate stands out amidst the standard time-traveling animes of the day. Okabe Rintarou (aka Hououin Kyouma) is a conspiracy obsessed self-proclaimed mad scientist who is on the verge of time machine history. Fellow lab member & skilled hacker, Daru, along with cosplay costume designer/childhood friend, Mayuri, make up the trio of the Steins;Gate beginnings aka a microwave time machine which none of them really understands.

By complete accident, Okabe experiences the power of the microwave time machine after sending a text upon discovering the body of famed genius, Kurisu Makise, lying in a pool of blood. Instead of a simple reply Okabe finds himself with a Kurisu who is a very much alive and the ability to send text messages to the past. Unfortunately,the only one who remembers the times past is Okabe himself. He calls this ability, 'Reading Steiner'

In the beginning Okabe enjoys experimenting with the microwave time machine. He is joined by several new companions and each uses the machine to change an element of their life. What no one realizes, except Okabe, is how much one tiny change affects the entire world. Truly, a butterfly effect.

Okabe is not the only one trying to uncover the secrets of time travel. The organiation, SERN, is following their moves and a third party is not far behind. When confrontation brings desperate tragedy Okabe must find a way to use the time machine to save the past and change the future or lose the ones he loves forever.

Steins;Gate is the first time-travel anime I can honestly admit to truly enjoying. I loved how, unlike most, the anime tries to give an explanation of how the time travel is happening. You don't get quantum physics crazy descriptions but you do feel as though things are not just 'magically' happening. This was important to me as I find it really hard to get into a story where time travel goes wrong but no one ever mentioned why it was going right in the first place.

The show's humor is another reason why Stein;sGate works so well as an anime. Much of the humor is focused in the beginning as the characters begin to use the time machine for their personal uses. You really see a lot of who they are in their actions and gestures. I would have loved to see a bit more character development, especially for Faris & Mayuri, but for an anime of twenty-four episodes, I thought the creators did quite well.

Steins;Gate started out slow much when the 'stuff' hits the fan, you will be glad you paid attention in the prior episodes. The story line builds upon itself, twists, and turns to leave you with some 'whhhaaa the...?' moments. Trust me. Watching Steins;Gate can be hazardous to you if you aren't careful. I got so involved with the story I forgot what I was doing and ended up hotgluing my hand. Now that is one intense anime.

I completely recommend buying Stein;s Gate for anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking, humourous, adventurous, dramatic, and fascinating anime. HOWEVER, there are a few items to consider before you do. 1) Steins;Gate is rated TV-14 and is not appropriate for many younger viewers. This definitely is not Pokémon so please don't plop your little ones in front of it on a Saturday morning. 2) I have found the first few episodes dubbed but that's about all. Watch it subbed for best results. Some of the humor will just not work in dubbed. You gotta go subbed.

From an incredible opening to hilarious subbed humor, Steins;Gate is an anime which needs to be experienced. These videos are a just a simple taste of the goodness of Steins;Gate.

One of the key parts of an anime is its opening. Many fans will base a lot of their initial feelings upon those first few minutes of show time. The opening for Steins;Gate is definitely peeks the viewers interest and to be honest...the song is pretty darn phenomenal too.

One of the best anime openings I have experienced in a long time. The song 'Hacking to the Gate' is by Kanako Ito.

Two of many reasons why subbed is just the way to enjoy Steins;Gate.

One of the greatest job interviews I have ever seen. Also, a great introduction to a key character of the anime.

Steins;Gate has a pretty fabulous opening with an ending song that's not to shabby either.

When it comes to animes, I prefer them to have a bit of humor, lots of suspense, action, and of course, a bit of the unusual. These are a few of my top picks when it comes to fulfilling those criteria. I highly recommend checking them out!