The first two episodes of this series seemed like maybe it would have something to say about family dynamics, internet addiction, online vs. Offline personas and personalities, or something else. By the third episode, though, it becomes increasingly clear that it's not really interested in having fun with the premise, leaving the tone in the unfortunate position of being too absurd to be serious but too serious to be fun. Unfortunately this means too that, although this is a show about a "NEET" main character, it doesn't really have anything interesting to say about that social group... the show clearly WANTS to say something, it just doesn't know what it wants to say or how to say it.
11 Reviews
Strong start into a progressively worsening series
SmackyTheTadpole20 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The beginning of Good Night World was promising but by the end I was unintentionally rolling my eyes a lot. This series immediately piqued my interest as I felt like Good Night World was going some where. Even if virtual worlds have been done many times, I find the premise interesting and think they leave a lot of room for whatever the show runners want, for better or for worse. I especially liked the idea of a broken family who do not even communicate, unknowingly acting as a family inside their virtual world. The whole black bird idea initially seemed like there was potential there but soon became a mess. There were good ideas in there such as exploring which ways an advanced ai could behave and what their world views might be. It's just the execution of the problems this kind of ai presented and the solutions needed ultimately felt lackluster and boring.
One of my bigger gripes was how insufferable the main character ichi was. Though I understand his frustrations and the cause of his extreme emotions I still wasn't able to root for him pretty much at all. Quite annoying honestly. Overall I felt Good Night World had some good ideas with so-so execution.
One of my bigger gripes was how insufferable the main character ichi was. Though I understand his frustrations and the cause of his extreme emotions I still wasn't able to root for him pretty much at all. Quite annoying honestly. Overall I felt Good Night World had some good ideas with so-so execution.
A great anime that takes a while to get going
Daryladamson16 October 2023
A good solid Netflix Anime Production which has enough in its story to draw you and keep you there. It wasn't until episode 4 and 5 that I saw its potential. Its story line stepped up a gear and the characters developed in such a way you feel intrigued to find out more. The same applies to the story line.
It's by no means a Demon Slayer, or Attack on Titan. However it sits on Par with other Netflix original anime's. So if you've enjoyed other Netflix Anime's give this a go.
One this I was surprised at was how it turned from "slice of life" anime to horror anime! And the fact it doesn't start as a horror, is a nice surprise when it does, if you're into horror (which I am) so give it a go and stick with it.
It's by no means a Demon Slayer, or Attack on Titan. However it sits on Par with other Netflix original anime's. So if you've enjoyed other Netflix Anime's give this a go.
One this I was surprised at was how it turned from "slice of life" anime to horror anime! And the fact it doesn't start as a horror, is a nice surprise when it does, if you're into horror (which I am) so give it a go and stick with it.
Decent animation, and an emphasis on irl story is not a valid reason to half bake the fight scenes or translation.
clasherjami9 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
While the animation is decent quality, the irl story is intriguing and captivating enough, the main character, despite being in a video game, only uses 2 fighting moves in the entirety of 5 episodes. Excluding the opening and credits, which leaves about 1 hour and 40 minutes of content with the main character having the equivalent of a DCU movie where batman only uses the moves, punch and kick. With acrobatics on par with the moves of jump and run. Within this video game world, none of the Japanese text is translated. All the while where the show supposedly shines in the irl story is rather convoluted and not explained any further outside of the minuscule amount of interactions between the main cast every 10 - 15 minutes. Often having extremely awkward and downright plot irrelevant interactions that are all needlessly aggressive or tragic to give the interaction "meaning". To supposedly "Build Character" all the while not explaining the reasoning behind or for said actions, leaving the majority of characters to be summed up into the words, "Aggressive", "Reclusive", and "Narcissistic". The only exception being a rag tag group of 6 people, of which are only explained as to be where they are, because of past reasons that aren't explained in the slightest. Overall the 2 stars goes to the animation team for trying to make a flubbed story and even more flubbed cast of main characters seem to be cool and emotionally expressive. While the other 2 goes to the voice acting team for making it through the most cringe dialogue scenes I've seen in the last 10 years of watching various anime.
If you think differently, you have low standards. You can also eat my shorts.
If you think differently, you have low standards. You can also eat my shorts.
Solid anime
sioncamara12 November 2023
The reviews for this anime are too low in my opinion. As the most helpful review (current at the time of writing) points out the show doesn't really have something to say, but I'm not convinced this is a flaw of the show. In some ways, it felt like a more realistic take on this kind of sci-fi future a lot of shows try to make some critique or point about what would happen with futuristic technology, but realistically, these things are pretty much impossible to predict. Instead, the show focuses on great plot and family turmoil, and uses great sci-fi to do so.
The show is definitely quite cerebral in its plot, despite not making a point, but it definitely gets you thinking, if you're more philosophical in nature.
The show is definitely quite cerebral in its plot, despite not making a point, but it definitely gets you thinking, if you're more philosophical in nature.
Not my thing
mariusoberholster19 January 2024
I would definitely classify this as a horror anime and I did not know that going into it. It started off strong and I kept watching, but as things didn't really go well and bring good character development, I grew tired of it.
Generally, I don't do well with horrors. Not because I have a problem with them persay, but I'm too sensitive to spiritual things, so it freaks me out quite easily. Not scare, freak out - very different.
Initially, there were elements that suggested it might go that way, but when the show gets about halfway, you are introduced to the main antagonist or goal for most of the characters and that's where it gets super creepy, gross, gory and somewhat suggestively explicit. I DO NOT recommend this show and will not be finishing it. It feels straight up demonic - and I love anime, so don't take it like some anti-anime thing - it legit feels off. SAO was way better!
Generally, I don't do well with horrors. Not because I have a problem with them persay, but I'm too sensitive to spiritual things, so it freaks me out quite easily. Not scare, freak out - very different.
Initially, there were elements that suggested it might go that way, but when the show gets about halfway, you are introduced to the main antagonist or goal for most of the characters and that's where it gets super creepy, gross, gory and somewhat suggestively explicit. I DO NOT recommend this show and will not be finishing it. It feels straight up demonic - and I love anime, so don't take it like some anti-anime thing - it legit feels off. SAO was way better!
Avoid If you don't like symbolism and bad fight scenes.
gloomy_bat13 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Well I have watched it up to ep.6 and it sort of got me where I thought it got me, all the while I was thinking nope just another shonen based anime, turns out I was wrong. Before Pico learns she is a sub-AI, powering a life threatening Black Bird in the PLANET game world, her entire interaction, in her own virtual reality world, with her "controlling" mother, the black cat/ichi, and her classmates is a mirror of reasonings and results of what happens in the game. We see her refusing the classmates offer of hanging out, due to sheer fear of her mother/controlling mechanism, but her desire to be with Ichi is what makes her go against that and follow the black cat(a cute symbol of bad luck btw), and finally finding it and getting bitten by it, and almost becoming aware of herself, and realizing the results of her own decisions belonging to her, and later finding her classmates and hanging out with them, followed by her refusal to be put down by her mother, is probably what caused her to become self aware enough to create the power surge in Black Bird AI to become strong enough to start causing massive problems for the game world is what it made me feel. I have not finished the whole series but it was quite weird feeling sad for an A. I. girl loosing her life saying her last words in the most humane manner possible.
"Good night, world" - the anime That Pleasantly Surprised
mihavdtv22 October 2023
"Good night, world", was a delightful discovery for me. From the first episode, the storyline captured my interest, and I found myself fond of the characters. Each character is unique and intriguing in their own way. This anime will especially resonate with fans of online MMORPGs, especially those familiar with Lineage 2.
"Good night, world" portrays intriguing family relationships and how people escape from the harsh reality of our world into the realm of an online game. It clearly shows that in the game, everyone finds something for themselves. Some grow flowers, some help others, some eliminate other players, while others form a guild of pirates and gather like-minded individuals. Anyone who watches this anime will find their own prototype.
I highly recommend it for viewing. 10/10!
"Good night, world" portrays intriguing family relationships and how people escape from the harsh reality of our world into the realm of an online game. It clearly shows that in the game, everyone finds something for themselves. Some grow flowers, some help others, some eliminate other players, while others form a guild of pirates and gather like-minded individuals. Anyone who watches this anime will find their own prototype.
I highly recommend it for viewing. 10/10!
Anime that Takes Big Swings
urthpainter29 October 2023
Surprisingly good Netflix anime addition. I had no expectations outside of a very short description going into the first episode. To respect that experience, I fully recommend watching all twelve episodes, and consider Good Night World a very good anime.
The brief premise going in revolves around members of a family who spend a great deal of their lives playing a fully comprehensive, virtual video game called Planet. Their lives in the real world are at one extreme, their time in Planet is at another. A lot of this anime is spent showing the differences between the real world and the virtual realm.
As the show develops, we learn that the members of this family are all deeply connected to the game Planet. This includes development of sophisticated artificial intelligence which explodes into a variety of problems, first in the game, then in the real world.
I'm a big fan of any story that really takes a big swing with interesting ideas, and Good Night World's story goes completely off the deep end! While completely different, this anime unfolds like some sort of technological X-File. I also like how all the huge ideas are tied directly to individual characters, their experiences/motivations.
I'd say this comes at a bit of an entertainment price, because when Good Night World is in the game Planet, it's a lot like many anime; fun and full of action. But in the real world the characters and scenes can be abrasive and a rough watch. I fully approve, because there is a purpose to all of it within the context of the story, and how things play out.
I felt this anime really stressed one aspect of humanity, specifically our lack of perfection. Maybe Good Night World spends too much time on each character's flaws to allow them to be likable? Perhaps, and I do think this effects dramatic moments where it can be difficult to pull for any character.
I'd say Good Night World has a little inspiration from the movie Paprika (2006), and like that movie its pretty impressive how much content is delivered in a relatively short amount of time. Definitely a journey told and an interesting watch.
The brief premise going in revolves around members of a family who spend a great deal of their lives playing a fully comprehensive, virtual video game called Planet. Their lives in the real world are at one extreme, their time in Planet is at another. A lot of this anime is spent showing the differences between the real world and the virtual realm.
As the show develops, we learn that the members of this family are all deeply connected to the game Planet. This includes development of sophisticated artificial intelligence which explodes into a variety of problems, first in the game, then in the real world.
I'm a big fan of any story that really takes a big swing with interesting ideas, and Good Night World's story goes completely off the deep end! While completely different, this anime unfolds like some sort of technological X-File. I also like how all the huge ideas are tied directly to individual characters, their experiences/motivations.
I'd say this comes at a bit of an entertainment price, because when Good Night World is in the game Planet, it's a lot like many anime; fun and full of action. But in the real world the characters and scenes can be abrasive and a rough watch. I fully approve, because there is a purpose to all of it within the context of the story, and how things play out.
I felt this anime really stressed one aspect of humanity, specifically our lack of perfection. Maybe Good Night World spends too much time on each character's flaws to allow them to be likable? Perhaps, and I do think this effects dramatic moments where it can be difficult to pull for any character.
I'd say Good Night World has a little inspiration from the movie Paprika (2006), and like that movie its pretty impressive how much content is delivered in a relatively short amount of time. Definitely a journey told and an interesting watch.
Between fun and message
antoinesolnais11 November 2023
Good night World deal with the open world RPG and dark life of geek and destroyed family. It takes time to raise the main question and develop the story, but when we had reached the first 4 episodes, it becomes clearest and deal with the bad relation to video game, numeric life and family troubles.
Between « Sword Art Online » and « Parasite: The Maxim », this anime mix MMORPG, deep questioning, action and blood. The in-game part is a bit less developed and let us with a feeling of « cheap » MMORPG world anime, but tend to make a perfect mix in the middle of the show.
Finally, I really appreciated the show, I had watched the last 7 episodes almost in a raw because a I was caught by the action and the story. I would really recommend this show to the fan of anime in a numeric world, who likes action, blood and deep sentimental character.
Between « Sword Art Online » and « Parasite: The Maxim », this anime mix MMORPG, deep questioning, action and blood. The in-game part is a bit less developed and let us with a feeling of « cheap » MMORPG world anime, but tend to make a perfect mix in the middle of the show.
Finally, I really appreciated the show, I had watched the last 7 episodes almost in a raw because a I was caught by the action and the story. I would really recommend this show to the fan of anime in a numeric world, who likes action, blood and deep sentimental character.
If you didnt finish the series you shouldn't review this anime
justin-myslajek15 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Episodes 1-5 were good but typical in many ways. Episodes 6-12 were brilliant and emotional. The series had wonderful music, voice acting, storyboards, and animation. Great plot with a beautiful culmination at the end. I feel a lot of people watched the first few episodes and made assumptions about the series. I thought it was wonderful.
The part of the series I found most touching was the father son dynamic. It showed understanding and healing between Tashiro and his father in a gorgeous climax with fantastic music. The characters really started to develop in episode 6 and the series was very compelling from that point on. Frankly I thought it was well made and very original. It is fair to say it takes a while to get going but the ending is so good I still give it a 9.
The part of the series I found most touching was the father son dynamic. It showed understanding and healing between Tashiro and his father in a gorgeous climax with fantastic music. The characters really started to develop in episode 6 and the series was very compelling from that point on. Frankly I thought it was well made and very original. It is fair to say it takes a while to get going but the ending is so good I still give it a 9.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
