So far it's kind of eh, the pacing and animation is preeetty boring, and there were times where I just glanced at the screen now and then to read the subtitles, because literally nothing was happening. So much "close-up on character's face while the mouth moves" "animation," aka basically avoiding having to do anything interesting or noteworthy. The soundtrack was pretty much nonexistent, as well, and the MC's motivation and character was also pretty nonexistent. Admittedly it's just the first episode, but yeah.

I do like the heroine and she's super cute (even if it's obvious they're really forcing the "omg look at how cute she is, she's clumsy but hey look at her naked body here"), but so far she's been more or less useless. I mean, for a "strategist," shut-in for 20 years sickly onee-chan was more perceptive than her.
I wish she were actually not a good person at all, and it would be cool to see if that actually comes up. Like if she urges the MC to make morally repugnant decisions and see how far his spur-of-the-moment "hurrrrrrrrr I love you" stupidity can go.

Buuuut I told Solbowz I'd at least give it til ep four, and Silvy said ep three was good, so I guess I'll stick with it til then?

Shichika's "sword" identity is something the show keeps tabs on for the entire duration of its run, and his lack of personal motivation is one of many facets that define him in that manner. Togame gets better, too, having enough characterization and wit about her to stay relevant beside the MC (and since they're the main pair you can expect adorbs). I usually find that the higher quality the "sword owner of the week" is, the better the episode turns out to be. And I find the first two sword owners to be the weakest characters of the bunch. If you can sit through this episode and the next at a comfortable pace, then you're all set for the rest of the show, because it only gets better.

The thing I wrote for weekly APR:

The story of Gatchaman Crowds Insight is basically that Japan is this one humongous shower room with dividing curtains for each person. Some douchebag in the corner starts muttering "one of us" and other people find that kind of funny so they start saying it too. Now there's a sizable chunk of people chanting "one of us" and pretty soon the shower curtains are being torn down and then they start eating everyone who isn't chanting "one of us" and now I've lost control of this metaphor and it's trying to eat me please send help

It also seems like a real criticism towards Japan's current social customs and how social media exacerbates certain problems. Equally scathing is how they connected this phenomenon to Japan's imperial government back in the 30's/40's. Not that this kind of thing would actually happen in Japan since they voted a [radio edit]ing alien to be their Prime Minister, but anything seems real now that Donald Trump is the Republican frontrunner.

Boyd pointed out how Tsubasa's grandfather probably lived through something similar to what's happening in the show during WWII a couple weeks ago. I didn't expect such a blatant and obvious criticism of the Imperial Government from the 30's/40's though. I've always liked how real world applicable the themes and conflicts in CROWDS are.

omg that episode was such a troll, alluding to a super epic/hyped up fight over episodes but never actually showing it
freaking nisio (if that was his work)

Nanami is pretty great though, she's total Lach-bait.

Series is still kind of okay and a lot of the characters are "don't care at all lol" (basically anything to do with the Maniwani), buuut it's at least been entertaining so far

Wow I didn't expect this either, it was pretty nice. It's always interesting to see how anime that doesn't glorify Imperial Japan treats the war situation. Even if he didn't go into details, it was a surprisingly potent comparison.

And yeah, it is pretty neat how the themes and such in CROWDS are directly applicable to real life instead of just symbolically applicable. Trolling in season one, mob mentality in season two. Both of which you see on the internet all the time. It's kind of refreshing to see something delivered as plain as day as this. ...Hajime, Berg Katze, and JJ's riddles aside.

I do wonder what would happen to the Kuus if people decided to turn on them, though. Mass Kuu murder/suicide?

Also rip this is 2 for 2 for Sugita roles going away in things I'm watching

ARE YOU KIDDING ME. REALLY? REALLY? THERE'S ANOTHER FAKE?

I'm kinda annoyed about this. Rokka was a good interesting show and the identity of the seventh was a fun reveal (even though I had made a list of reasons why it could be the Princess, I'm not sure how serious about it I was)

AND NOW THERE'S ANOTHER SEVENTH.

Would have been entertaining to see all 8 of them trapped, not just the 7, though. There are TWO FAKES

Beeeeeh. Overall I did like Rokka, it was interesting and I like the who-dunnit type of thing.

To the light novels when I have time!