Failure Frame episode 3 review: Isekai's best tropes arrive as series continues to drive home its dark themes

With Failure Frame episode 3’s release earlier this week, those fans who resonated with what the series had shown them so far were apprehensive heading into the episode. Much of this caution was derived from concern that the series would abandon its fairly unique identity thus far to become more of a generic isekai entry.

However, as this Failure Frame episode 3 review will point out, the series does thankfully maintain its identity despite beginning to pull in some of the familiar isekai tropes. Yet, these established tropes are the best of what the genre has to offer and don’t dilute the series’ unique identity in any way, shape, or form.

Failure Frame episode 3 review: Unique identity maintained and incorporation of isekai’s best tropes are the positives

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In many isekai anime series, the protagonist will eventually wander into someone of the opposite world who befriends them and typically becomes their first friend or ally. Failure Frame episode 3 does follow suit, but with a unique twist that maintains its isekai-inspired feel (as opposed to being a traditional isekai) through its early stages.

The yet-named elven character who is seemingly set to play the role of main character Touka Mimori’s first ally is instead introduced as the “Princess Knight,” according to her pursuers. However, Mimori runs into these men (known as the Holy Watchers) first and easily deals with them after tricking them as he did the Soul Eater. This leads him and his new Slime companion to sneak up on the Princess Knight, setting up an interrogation scene.

While Failure Frame episode 3 skips most of the actual interrogation for viewers, they do see key moments that see the pair building a rapport. She respects Mimori for his brutal honesty, while he seems to respect her confidence in her abilities and rationality. It’s a well-introduced companionship in regard to its future, but their well-executed and unique meeting gives fans something to remember and even use in their pitch of the show to friends.

Failure Frame episode 3 review (Image via Seven Arcs)

Once again, it also highlights that not only will the best of isekai anime's tropes be taken, but they may even be twisted and turned into something new. This is further highlighted via the introduction of Mimori’s aforementioned Slime companion, whom he calls Piggymaru in the episode. Rather than Mimori just happening upon a kind Slime who helps him, he finds Piggymaru being bullied by other larger Slimes, clearly seeing himself in the situation.

It adds further depth to Mimori’s character and also makes Piggymaru’s introduction in Failure Frame episode 3 all the more meaningful and memorable. Similar to the Princess Knight’s introduction and meeting Mimori, it’s a subtle yet impactful twist to the trope’s typical context, which sticks with viewers in the best way.

Likewise, these subtle changes and the impact they have on viewers help maintain the series’ unique identity even as it begins incorporating these tropes. Such an approach, which is surely intentional given what fans have seen so far, also helps to prevent the series from being susceptible to the pitfalls of traditional isekai anime.

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Failure Frame episode 3 does maintain its unique identity in ways beyond trope twists, such as the episode’s opening focus on Mimori’s classmates. It’s clear that a Lord of the Flies-esque situation is developing, with Asagi Ikusuba forcibly hazing Kobato Kashima to her side via Kobato’s killing of a monster against her will. Her sobs and thoughts of Mimori in the immediate aftermath serve as both a distinguisher and a tantalizing setup for their future reunion as who they now are.

The scene is also appreciated for the fact that the anime’s B-story will have more politics going on than just those between the Goddess Vicius and Class President Ayaka Sogo (who also butt heads again in this episode). It’s a unique approach that, if handled well, could lead to the B-story being just as attractive as Mimori’s mainline quest for revenge.

Failure Frame episode 3 review: Unnecessary and poorly integrated use of CGI are the major negatives

While there are some small nitpicks in Failure Frame episode 3, it’s largely an unflawed installment that moves the story along at an acceptable pace with adequate focus. The voice acting, while not particularly impressive, doesn’t feel flat or unfitting in any specific areas, and the 2D animation is consistent, if not particularly flashy.

The installment’s major fault lies within its 3D CGI animation, which it is unexpectedly using in situations where it isn’t strictly necessary. This includes the episode’s final scenes, which see a CGI Mimori walking through a 2D-animated forest in a somewhat choppy manner. However, the bigger issue is the integration of CGI into the 2D art style, with the choice of a low camera angle off of Mori’s back-left not helping smooth the scene out.

It’s simply a confusing use of CGI, as it’s difficult to believe a significant amount of budget was saved by avoiding 2D animation here. Even if the move made financial sense, the integration is not well done at all and provides an uncanny valley feel at the end of what is otherwise a great episode. This is even more frustrating as in the Ruins of Disposal episodes, the CGI used for the monsters was at least passable, if not perfect.

Yet, even if the integration was properly done here, it’d be an equally confusing and jarring inclusion nonetheless. Especially early on in a season where potential audiences may be more willing to tune out, choosing to end an episode with very arguably unnecessary CGI is interesting, to say the least.

Failure Frame episode 3 review: In summation

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Much like with the first two episodes, Failure Frame episode 3 has much more good in it than it is bad. Likewise, the bad that does seem to be there appears to be more of a misguided attempt at cost-cutting than a particular lack of passion or quality control.

In turn, there’s more for fans to be excited about the series’ future here than there is to be concerned about it, but there is room for such sentiments when it comes to 3D CGI usage.