We are just three episodes in, and we are already switching up formulas with World’s End Harem Episode 3. I’m not complaining, as this new formula resulted in the show’s best episode so far. That’s not a particularly high bar to clear, but still. Let’s get right to the review!
World’s End Harem Episode 3 Overview
World’s End Harem or Shuumatsu No Harem in original Japanese is an Ecchi, Sci-fi, and Harem anime developed by Studio Gokumi of Tsuredure Children fame, alongside AXsiZ, which is known for shows like Seiren. The anime is based on a manga of the same name written by Kotaro Shono and LINK.
The series is directed by Nobuta Yuu, who has previously been involved with the productions of Bokura No and High School Fleet. The show was originally going to premiere in the Fall 2021 season of anime but was postponed to Winter 2022 due to some behind-the-scenes issues. You can go back and read our review of the second episode of the show, which you can find right here.
– Shuumatsu No Harem Episode 3 Review does not contain spoilers –
World’s End Harem Episode 3 Review- Too Early?
Every now and again, at a pivotal moment, an anime decides to forego the opening theme in favour of a cold open and a more story-focused episode. Usually, it happens at the last or second to the last episode. Not here, though. World’s End Harem isn’t your usual show if it wasn’t obvious by the copious amount of nudity and the sheer absurdity of it all. It did the cold open in its third episode and somehow pulled it off.
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This outing was supposed to be “the serious one”, and it was a decent attempt at doing that. The story revolves around our third surviving male and how his life was before the virus killed almost every one of his gender off. While the other two boys so far had been rather lucky to have friends and family around, it wasn’t the case for him. He was bullied mercilessly and was, at any given moment, just two steps away from ending it all.
This episode was also the one with the least amount of nudity and wish-fulfilment. The shift in style worked well for the series, as it seemed as if it was running out of material just two episodes in. There’s only so much you can do with a plot as basic as this one, but this is a fine way to go about it. Keeping the circumstances the same and applying them to different personalities seemed like a good formula for the show.
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Doi makes for a fine protagonist, as his struggles with his entire class are represented well in the episode. You feel sorry for the tortures inflicted upon him, and he is the one character so far who has deserved to survive the sex apocalypse. His approach of going about everything is also unique, as he was able to get with the person he liked already while our original protagonist, Reito, is still on the lookout for his.
World’s End Harem Episode 3 was the show’s best effort so far, even though it did devolve into high school cliches quite often. They felt even worse coming from this show, given there’s nothing but sexual connotations behind everything that happened. Still, this was as close to wholesome that a series such as this can ever get, and you don’t look up a gift horse in the mouth. If this implies an increasing quality of the later episodes, that could only be a good thing for everyone involved.
Verdict
World’s End Harem Episode 3 was the show’s best expedition, and it did a lot of things right. The characters and plot this time around were good, and the new direction should also do wonders in the show’s future.
Click here to read the review of the next episode!