Failure Frame episode 5 review: Good worldbuilding and character development comes at the expense of meaningful action

Heading into Failure Frame episode 5, the series had been very action-heavy up to this point, taking very little time to breathe outside of bridging the gap from one conflict to the next. While the series had been functioning fine in this way, Thursday, August 1, 2024, saw the anime’s fifth installment take a much-needed breather and fully capitalize on it.

While the episode largely focused on building Touka Mimori and Seras Ashrain’s budding relationship, it also showed Touka’s former classmates and what they were up to. Although this all comes at the expense of the action the series has shown thus far, it’s justified via the execution and what the series seems to be building towards.

Failure Frame episode 5 review: Plentiful character development, a clear path forward, and more are the positives

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As mentioned, Failure Frame episode 5 primarily focuses on Touka and Seras in terms of their character development. It’s understandable that they steal the spotlight here, as they’ll be the main duo fans follow throughout season 1’s events. The exact nature of character development in the installment is also very productive, as each slowly tears down their walls around each other and becomes closer.

This is best evidenced by how naturally each acts with the other, especially on Seras’ part. In turn, this allows fans to finally get a feel for who Seras is, which is necessary to build investment and interest in her as a character and her relationship with Touka. While Touka is still more reserved, it’s clear he’s steadily becoming more comfortable around her and willing to begin viewing her as a true ally, even outside of their business arrangement.

Failure Frame episode 5’s other focus on character development is mainly done for Kirihara Takuto and Sogou Ayaka. The former continues to be shown as a cocky and self-absorbed individual, with the episode also emphasizing his role as a leader of an elitist group amongst the heroes. Sogou, meanwhile, continues to be shown as a champion of justice, fighting against the Goddess Vicius’ cruel treatment of those unable or unwilling to fight in this new world.

Failure Frame episode 5 review (Image via Seven Arcs)

Vicius herself also gets a much-needed, though brief, focus in terms of establishing her true character and ideals. While the series has insinuated that her kind and welcoming facade is a cover, the fifth episode confirms this by showing her behavior behind closed doors. Again, the brevity of this focus results in little being discovered, but from what fans see, it’s clear she seems set to begin targeting Sogou as she did Touka.

Beyond this, Failure Frame episode 5’s main strengths include exciting worldbuilding by introducing new concepts and explaining some previous ones. This includes new types of magic in the series’ world, which fans haven’t yet seen, and a deeper explanation of Seras’ magic. While seemingly insignificant, the two combine to be satisfactory in and of themselves and as positive signs for the series’ future.

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In turn, this worldbuilding also leads to clear paths forward for the first season’s plot, helping emphasize its importance. Likewise, it seems that Seras and Touka will spend the first season reaching and exploring the Land of Golden-Eyed Monsters while avoiding the Black Dragon Knights, who are now pursuing the pair. By introducing the end goal and the main conflict in reaching it, the episode tells fans what to expect from here on out.

Last but certainly not least, Seven Arcs’ use of CGI is greatly improved in Failure Frame episode 5, proving to be much less prevalent and of a much higher quality when used. Seras’ battle at the end of the episode highlights this, with the movement being fluid and consistent without seeming jarring. While some of the episode’s uses of CGI animation are questionable in terms of placement, the overall quality is of much higher caliber than before.

Failure Frame episode 5 review: A relatively jarring and sudden change of pace is the only negative

That being said, the general lack of action sequences in the installment is something of a negative in the sense that it may turn potential viewers off. Until this point, the series had seemingly been prioritizing action, making the fifth episode’s focus somewhat out of place. Although it’s still a pleasant watch, some fans who may be here for the action only could get turned off by this sudden change.

Likewise, Seras’ fight in the final scenes of Failure Frame episode 5 can be argued as too little or too late to hold these viewers’ attention and interest. A potentially better use to appease this section of the fanbase would’ve been to let Seras fight the Skeleton King rather than having Touka use his status effects on it. This would’ve let both viewers and Touka see what she can do in her transformed state seen during her introduction episode.

Admittedly, however, this is a relatively small criticism with which most of the series’ viewership will likely have no problems. Likewise, while it is unrealistic to assume that every episode of a series will be 100% non-stop action, it’s the choice of placement for the episode’s action sequences that is most egregious. Nevertheless, it is something the episode can be faulted for in the context of considering multiple audiences and what their preferences may be.

Failure Frame episode 5 review: Final thoughts

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Without a doubt, Failure Frame episode 5 is the closest the series has come to perfection since its premiere. The formula is apparent and, with some slight tweaks, can close the gap to true perfection. Likewise, the episode also shows that if action sequences and fight scenes are sacrificed, they’ll be exchanged for very well-handled world-building, character development, plot setup, and likely more as the series goes on.

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Edited by Joseph Brogan