No Game No Life: Episode 1 Review "Beginner"

Well then, let the games begin.

If you could live in a world where everything is decided by games, no war, no fighting, just pure games and almost every single conflict or misunderstanding will be decided by games, would you choose to live in that world? If you'd ask me, then my answer would be YES. I'm sure, everyone wants to live in a world where even a very simple problem would be solved by playing a game. Well, if you're good in gaming, then this is the place for you. But for now, No Game No Life is the story of two NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) hikikomori (shut-in) gamers, Sora and Shiro, who are step-siblings and form the famous gamer account『　　』a.k.a. BLANK. They beat every single game they play, and never lost. Many think that they are cheaters, but actually, they're not. They really just have godly powers in playing games. 

Yeah, Go Shiro, eat food while playing Blank's main account with you feet. That's what makes you cool (and cute) anyway.

Yeah, so basically, this is quite an interesting story for me. I have never actually seen an anime like this, until now. And frankly speaking, a lot of animes nowadays usually have this kind of theme revolving around them, like Mekakucity Actors, and a lot more. But this anime has a unique theme compared to those other animes who have a similar theme to this:  Sora and Shiro are both geniuses. Sora, has a brilliant IQ and can read what his opponents can do based on observing their behaviour and motivation, but has a problem with computing large amount of numbers unlike Shiro, who is a born genius and can solve problems easily and has good logic, but is unable to understand human emotions or behaviour, thus they rely on both of each other, making them basically invincible in games and in other things. And the siblings somewhat have a difference in their attitude too. Sora, who is usually seen in a carefree behavior (maybe it's because of his name which means "sky") and Shiro, who is usually seen emotionless at times (except in Episode 9 and in other episodes). Oh, and one more thing, they can't be separated from each other even just by a door, they'll be rendered useless and can't do anything else until they see each other again (except in Episode 9, I don't know why). 

No one can stop them and win against them.

They consider this world a "crappy game" and during this episode, it takes an interesting turn after the siblings beat an online chess game against a god from another world, a world where everything is decided by games, and get teleported there after they respond to another email sent to them. But for Blank, this world is an ideal world for them and when they arrive there in that world known as Disboard, its god, Tet, informs them of the 10 rules in this world.

The Ten Rules apply to every race in Disboard, including Sora and Shiro, and they can never be disobeyed or broken by any means possible. The Ten Rules are:

1. All murder, war, and robbery is forbidden in this world.

2. All conflict in this world will be resolved through games.

3. In games, each player will bet something that they agree is of equal value.

4. As long as it doesn’t go against number three, what they bet and the rules of the game will not be questioned.

5. The challenged party has the right to decide the rules of the game.

6. Any bets made in accordance with the pledges must be upheld.

7. Conflicts between groups will be conducted by designated representatives with absolute authority.

8. Being caught cheating during a game is grounds for an instant loss.

9. In the name of God, the previous rules may never be changed.

10. Let’s all have fun and play together!

But for Sora and Shiro, there can be no better world other than this. Based on their understanding of the rules, they won against a group of bandits and ended up taking everything, I mean everything, including their clothes. They also won a bag of gold on poker as well. For me, they probably won't leave this world and instead live in this world forever but that has not been confirmed yet. For now, let's just watch NGNL and have fun, based on the 10th rule of the Ten Rules. I also really loved the intro and the ending songs of NGNL, for me, it's like so catchy and at the same time, so soothing. If I were to give it a rating based on the entertainment, I'd give it a 9/10 rating. Good job NGNL and keep making episodes because I seriously love this anime.