2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 review: The underrated rom-com gem of Summer 2024

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 was released on July 5, 2024, making this series one of the most anticipated ones from the Summer Anime Season of 2024. Surprisingly enough, even though the series is an Ecchi (18+) one, it wasn't adapted by a studio that specializes in this genre.

However, it did deliver on most aspects, holding back on the Ecchi scenes as much as possible to make the series available for every age group. But it is hard to judge its performance based on a single episode.

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 was also moderately paced, adapting three chapters in the first episode, which could be a recurring trend till the end of the series.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for 2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1.

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 review: The animation

Ririsa as seen in the anime (Image via J.C. Staff)

2.5 Dimensional Seduction is animated by one of the biggest animation studios in Japan, J.C. Staff. Mostly well-known for its adaptations of romcom anime series like The Duke of Death and His Maid, the studio did pretty well adapting every panel of the manga series into anime.

With the series focusing on the cosplays of Ririsa Amano, the female protagonist, her animation is crisp in every scene, making the series visually appealing to everyone. The series also focuses on the games and merchandise Masamune Okumura, the male protagonist, keeps in his clubroom, and as expected, the figurines and video games look amazing.

The only criticism about the animation in 2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 is that it didn't pay much attention to the background characters. The character designs in the background of the cosplay event Ririsa visited when she was little were just okay, even though the manga gave them proper style.

But at the end of the day, the animation is top-class because most fans only focus on the animation centered around the protagonists.

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 review: The voice actors and characters

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Masamune Okumura is voiced by Enoki Junya and Ririsa Amano by Kaori Maeda in 2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1. Both of them have ample experience in the voice-acting industry, so it was expected that they would perform their characters pretty well in this anime series.

This anime also features some unique characters that break the walls of the 'stereotypical type.' Masamune is a boy who believes he has no chance of getting a romance, so he is adamant about giving his all to otaku stuff. Ririsa is a girl so obsessed with otaku stuff that she has the same fantasies as a boy going through puberty.

Their chemistry and bonding in 2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 is enough to tell the fandom that the series would be one of the best romcoms of this season or even this year.

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 review: The story

Ririsa watching Masamune play games (Image via J.C. Staff)

'Cosplay' has become the trademark of My Dress-up Darling since its anime adaptation. While declaring 2.5 Dimensional Seduction as its predecessor would not be wrong, it would be hard to declare a better one between them because the latter series has only released one episode.

Comparing the start of 2.5 Dimensional Seduction to any other 'cosplay' anime, it does feature a female protagonist obsessed with doing cosplay, but it is a bit more risky than the normal ones. On the other hand, the male protagonist also doesn't differ much because he has devoted his time to things other than romance. So, the storyline of the anime is perfect.

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 adapted the first three chapters of the manga, which is the normal adaptation rate for an anime episode, so its pacing is also moderate, making it easy for the fandom to understand and follow the plotline without being left out.

2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 review: An anime for 'true Ecchi' fans?

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The elephant in the room, the question on every fan's lips waiting for the series to be entirely Ecchi-focused: could this series be worth the time for the genre's true fans? There are various perspectives to look at this.

But first, yes, the anime did exclude the shots from the manga, which gave the series its true shape. However, what it included was 'not' something that can be considered SFW (safe for work) because the Ecchi shots adapted were still on par with the normal explicit content featured in anime, keeping in mind its differences from adult anime.

While it could be too far-fetched to say this series is solely focused on the Ecchi genre, its rom-com (romance and comedy) aspect is dominant, and that could be because the marketplace for Ecchi anime is narrow.

By censoring the risky shots from the manga, the anime is one of the most successful anime series despite having the Ecchi tag. So, it is a decent recommendation for pure Ecchi fans, who know how to differentiate between this genre and adult anime, and non-Ecchi fans who can enjoy its rom-com aspect.

Final thoughts

Masamune as seen in the anime (Image via J.C. Staff)

Leaving the debate of Ecchi shots aside, 2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 was one of the strongest first episodes in the Summer Anime Season of 2024. Although the manga series of this anime is more popular in Japan, the fact that the international fandom is praising it indicates that the anime studio managed to bring this medium to a bigger audience.

For that purpose, censoring the risky details in 2.5 Dimensional Seduction episode 1 could be considered necessary as anime is still considered a medium for children in most parts of the world. While the perfect audience for this series is adults, it is rated by most websites as a PG-13 show, considering this age group has mature enough minds to consume such a piece of media.

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