“Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World?” presents a fascinating premise: Kai, a soldier from a world where humans triumphed over demons, finds himself in an alternate reality. In this altered world, demons reign supreme, and humans are relegated to hiding. Intriguingly, everyone he knew has no recollection of him, and the world itself seems entirely rewritten, except for Kai’s own memories and experiences. This sets the stage for a narrative rich with potential, exploring themes of identity, memory, and reality. However, while the initial concept grips the imagination, the execution, particularly concerning its characters, leaves much to be desired, echoing sentiments found in countless series of similar ilk.
The anime quickly ticks off familiar boxes. Kai, armed with demon-fighting knowledge from his original world, discovers a legendary magic sword and gains a powerful angel companion. His former protégé, now a resistance leader in disguise, embodies a potentially compelling idea of gender and leadership, yet this thread remains frustratingly unexplored. Even Kai’s soldier comrades reappear, essentially carbon copies from his past life, seemingly existing merely to fuel fan pairings rather than contributing meaningfully to the narrative. The overarching question of whether Kai can overcome the demon threat and subsequently face spirits, angels, and other supernatural entities feels predictable, especially for viewers familiar with the genre.
One of the few elements that distinguishes “Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World?” is the subtle suggestion that Kai hasn’t traveled to another world, but rather his own reality has been altered, making him an anomaly, a residual error in the system. His magic sword’s ability to cut through not just objects but also the fabric of reality itself is a genuinely intriguing concept. Furthermore, the occasional appearances of a mysterious third party, clad in a striking H.R. Giger-esque aesthetic, tasked with erasing knowledge of the old world, adds an element of unsettling strangeness to the narrative. These aspects of the premise hint at a deeper, more complex story.
Visually, the anime adheres to standard conventions. Interpersonal conflicts are swiftly resolved to expedite the plot’s progression, and the writing often resorts to characters explicitly narrating their backstories, rather than revealing them organically through action or dialogue. While the fight sequences are adequately set up, their execution lacks impact and originality. They are competent but fail to generate any genuine excitement. Furthermore, despite avoiding overt fanservice, brief instances of suggestive costumes and camera angles feel jarringly out of place and tonally inconsistent with the overall narrative.
The anime suffers from a sense of rushed pacing, attempting to cram too much plot into a single season, paradoxically while simultaneously feeling stagnant. The grand, world-altering narrative progresses rapidly, yet the actual developments affecting the central characters move at a snail’s pace. The intriguing retro-wave aesthetic, subtly woven into the music and title sequences, and the conceptual hints of a deeper mystery, are the primary reasons to persevere beyond a few episodes. These elements offer a glimmer of hope that the series might eventually delve into its more profound themes. However, the overall tone remains flat, the characterizations shallow, and the plot progression feels like filler, hindering the anime from realizing its potential.
Comparisons to other anime, such as “The Misfit of Demon King Academy,” which excels in portraying an overpowered protagonist in an engaging manner, further highlight the shortcomings of “Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World?”. An entire season’s worth of plot in “Why Does Nobody…” could easily be condensed into a mere two episodes of “Demon King,” or perhaps four in a more conventionally paced anime. The series takes an extended amount of time to achieve very little meaningful progress. While significant changes occur on a global scale, the personal journeys and developments of the characters we follow remain largely static.
The core issue with “Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World?” lies in its failure to meaningfully inhabit its premise. Characters are moved around the plot like pieces on a game board, engaging in occasional battles dictated by narrative necessity, and then shifted to the next plot point. The most compelling aspect, the idea of a re-coded reality rather than a simple world transposition, is given insufficient attention, even by the characters who should be most invested in unraveling this mystery. If the characters themselves don’t prioritize exploring this central enigma, why should the audience?
Ultimately, “Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World?” offers a rough sketch of a captivating premise and a faint echo of appealing aesthetics. However, it falls short of delivering a compelling narrative or developing memorable characters. It might serve as a fleeting distraction before engaging with more substantial anime offerings. While the initial concept holds promise, the execution, particularly in its character development and plot pacing, prevents it from becoming anything more than a mediocre addition to the isekai genre. For viewers seeking a truly immersive and engaging anime experience, numerous other titles from the current season offer a far greater return on investment.
