Zenshu Episode 1 Review: Not What I Expected

Today’s episode of Zenshu or Zenshuu. was a promising start to a new anime we know very little about. Let us see how this episode turned out.

Zenshu Overview

Zenshu (全修。) is an original Japanese anime series produced by MAPPA. Directed by Mitsue Yamazaki and written by Kimiko Ueno, the series offers a fresh and captivating narrative. Sumie Noro serves as assistant director, contributing to the seamless execution of the series.

The music, composed by Yukari Hashimoto, enhances the emotional depth of the story, making it an integral part of the anime.

The original character designs are crafted by Yoshiteru Tsujino and adapted for animation by Kayoko Ishikawa, bringing the characters to life with striking visuals. The anime premiered on January 5, 2025, airing on TV Tokyo and other TXN network stations. Its dynamic opening theme, “Zen”, is performed by the rock band Band-Maid, while the heartfelt ending theme, “Tada, Kimo no Mama de”, is sung by Sou.

Crunchyroll has acquired the streaming rights, making the series accessible to a global audience.

Zenshu Episode 1 Review

This anime went in an entirely different direction from what I expected, and I am not mad about it. The series starts with the introduction of Natsuko, who is an acclaimed animator and an anime director. Her debut series was an instant hit, and now she is working on a romantic comedy but struggling vehemently because of her lack of knowledge and interest in romance. However, her introverted personality and unhealthy life choices lead her to her untimely death, and she gets transported into the world of an animated series called A Tale of Perishing. This anime was a flop, but for her, it was the reason behind her dream of becoming an animator.

Now, Natsuko must figure out how to deal with being reincarnated into this new world. On top of that, she must learn to survive in a world where monsters are rampant, and the characters are not as welcoming as they might seem.

The interesting part about this show is that our protagonist gets into a storyline that she is already familiar with, meaning she has the added advantage of knowledge. Hence, it will be easier for her to counter bad events and strive for better opportunities to be liked by the original characters.

But, as the characters are completely different from how Natsuko perceived them to be, things do not work that favorably. Luke, the protagonist of the otherworld, even refuses to let Natsuko eat anything and taunts her by having a meal in front of her while she is left hungry.

In the beginning, I truly thought that this would be an anime where we would learn about the cruelties and reality of working as an animator. However, this turned out to be an adventure/Isekai where the protagonist gets stuck in another world with some very effective powers.

The concept is nothing new, and we will still have to see how Mappa will manage to create something that is beyond the generic trope. Animation-wise, there is nothing bad to say, but Mappa’s original anime has a reputation of being subpar when it comes to plot. Let us hope this will provide different results.

Verdict

I like this episode, and I definitely have high hopes for it. But at the same time, I know how promising Bucchigiri?! was, and then it just fell flat later on, so let us hope this one will be handled properly.

If you are into Isekai, then I would definitely suggest including this in your list, as it can end up becoming a promising watch this 2025.

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