The superhero genre has taken the world by storm, captivating audiences from all walks of life. From the blockbuster Marvel movies in the West to the widely popular anime series like My Hero Academia in the East, superheroes are dominating the entertainment industry. It was only a matter of time before we witnessed a fusion of these two worlds, and thus, The Reflection was born. This ambitious anime attempts to blend the best of both worlds, succeeding in some aspects while faltering in others. Brace yourselves as we dive deep into The Reflection.

A Unique Art Style with an Inconsistent Execution

The art style of The Reflection is undeniably captivating, reminiscent of vibrant Western comics. The use of bright, contrasting colors and simple yet striking details is visually appealing and stands out among modern anime. The absence of black outlines in certain effects, such as fire and lightning, gives them a distinct look and feel. However, the animation itself lacks consistency. Some scenes are painstakingly slow, almost to the point where viewers can count the frames in real-time. On the other hand, there are instances of great animation, particularly in the fire effects and intense hand-to-hand combat scenes. It becomes apparent that the animators prioritized certain aspects, resulting in an overall uneven viewing experience. When the animation is done well, the unique art style shines, but when it falls short, the lack of frames is glaring and comes across as laziness. This inconsistency and poor direction hinder the overall enjoyment and engagement of the audience.

Direction: A Missed Opportunity

The direction of The Reflection is sorely lacking. Awkward still shots, unnecessarily prolonged scenes, and odd camera angles plague the series. Although there are moments of ambition, such as the captivating introductory shots and the effective use of silhouettes during emotional moments, these instances are too few and far between. The team behind The Reflection struggled to execute their grand ideas, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying viewing experience. This aspect of the series falls short of expectations and leaves much to be desired.

A Vast World with Familiar Elements

The setting of The Reflection is both simple in concept and expansive in scope. The entire world revolves around a single event known as the Reflection. When green light and black smoke rain from the sky, people either die or gain superpowers upon being hit. This cataclysmic event, occurring three years prior to the series, leaves a world divided between normal humans and the newly dubbed “Reflected” individuals. Tensions run high as society grapples with the newfound existence of superpowered neighbors. Amidst this backdrop, a mysterious figure named Wraith emerges, seeking to reshape the world. Set in North America, The Reflection follows the exploits of X-On, Eleanor, and I-Guy as they unravel Wraith’s plans and attempt to foil them.

While the concept itself is intriguing, it falls short of its potential due to its striking similarities to other works by the legendary Stan Lee. The manifestation of powers may be unique, but the resulting world feels like a derivative of the X-Men universe. Additionally, The Reflection provides little insight into the event itself, leaving viewers craving more information and closure.

A Mixed Bag of Characters

The cast of The Reflection is a mixed bag. Our protagonists include X-On, the enigmatic hero; Eleanor, the central plot device; Lisa, the cheerful girl in a wheelchair; and I-Guy, the only character who truly shines. On the other side of the spectrum, the villains consist of Wraith, the mysterious mastermind; Evil Stan Lee, Steel Ruler, the emotionally damaged killer; and Flaming Fury, the Russian fire ninja. While the characters show promise, they are woefully underdeveloped. Viewers learn very little about most of them, and the fragments of information provided only raise more unanswered questions.

Two exceptions to this pattern are Steel Ruler and I-Guy. Steel Ruler receives a brief but significant arc, allowing viewers to delve into her psyche. Meanwhile, I-Guy’s character unfolds gradually throughout the series, transforming him from an attention-seeking narcissist to a scarred hero seeking vengeance. His character arc is the standout aspect of The Reflection, offering depth and development that other characters lack. The remaining characters, unfortunately, feel underutilized and leave much to be desired.

A Story Begging for Improvement

The story of The Reflection can be described as a missed opportunity. It hinges on Eleanor’s deceased brother, who was resurrected during the Reflection event when both light and smoke hit her simultaneously. However, this resurrection process is left unexplained. Similarly, the origins and powers of Wraith remain shrouded in mystery, leaving viewers to piece together incomplete information. The ultimate goal of Wraith is to absorb the life force of all Reflected individuals affected by the dark smoke, opening a portal and summoning a dragon named Darkness. Unfortunately, the connection between the Reflection event and Darkness is never elucidated, leaving viewers to make their own assumptions.

Even in the final moments of the series, new elements are introduced, causing a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion. The Reflection suffers from trying to cram too many ideas into a limited space. For those seeking an interesting blend of superheroes and anime, The Reflection may offer some enjoyment, particularly with its unique art style. However, if you desire a more cohesive and well-rounded superhero experience, My Hero Academia is a better choice. For those craving Western-style storytelling, the Justice League animated series from the late 2000s offers a well-crafted and engaging narrative. Despite its flaws, The Reflection manages to captivate fans of the superhero genre.

Fecomic