Perhaps this is the rare case when an anime should be watched at least twice. "Sagrada/Sakurada Reset" is a real puzzle within a puzzle. There is an "outer puzzle" - story and confrontation brought to the surface, and there is also a hidden intricacies of motivations and ideals of characters, which are even more difficult to keep track of than the "external" rules of interaction of abilities and battles of wits. All the episodes in the "Sakurada Reset" are intertwined. The actions, dialogues, and reflections of the heroes demonstrated in some episodes are often continuations or keys to understanding the actions, dialogues and reflections of the heroes in other episodes. This is the main feature as well complexity for understanding of the "Sakurada" - it is holistic, all the series are connected, although formally they can demonstrate different stories. But what happens to the characters during these different stories affects them and determines their development and behavior. In order for the mosaic to take shape as a whole, all these seemingly disparate episodes, dialogues, events and stories must be carefully listened to, examined, pondered and connected with each other. In order, for example, to understand the reasons for Kei's behavior in the fourth episode, when he comes to "pour out his soul" to Seika, but hides his difficulties from Misora, you need to carefully watch the first two episodes, listen to Sumire's opinion about him and Misora, and also watch Episodes 20 and 24. You can understand Misora only by reviewing the same first episodes, her childhood memories, listening to Sumire's statements, Kei's comments, watching a series dedicated exclusively to Misora, listening to her dialogue with herself in the episode with a dream, dialogue with Seika and the ending of the anime.
When you'll finally delve into and understand what is happening, when you'll have a holistic picture and the "keys" that reveal the meaning of actions and dialogues by the protagonist in different episodes will be used, then the narration won't let you go. The plot, characters and their interactions are quite complex and deep. The main characters, Kei and Misora, as well as the minor characters, are very far from the stereotypical anime characters. They are introverted and not at all expressive, have complex motivations. A storm of emotions and thoughts, their principles and ideals are hidden under a detached appearance and only occasionally, but with restraint, are breaking through to the surface in seemingly "abstract" dialogues, statements and actions. Along with the principles and ideals, each of the characters has their own weaknesses and their own "dark side", to which it is even more difficult to "get". Watching the heroes, their interaction in a fantastic environment, you seem to be solving a rebus inside a rebus. There are small external detective episodes associated with certain characters and their stories. There is the main detective story, the main battle "on the surface". It occurs between, on the one hand, Kei, who seeks to protect the place which is "sacred" for him and Misora - Sagrada / Sakurada, a place where miracles happen that can overcome the "sad rules" of the "outside" world, devoid of miracles, and, on the other hand, Masamune, who hid personal grievances and desires behind the idea of "happiness and equality for all" by destroying miracles. But behind each little detective story is hidden unfolding of the story and personality of its main characters, behind the confrontation with Masamune is hidden unfolding of his story and personality, of the stories and personalities of his friends, Kei's ideas and principles, Sumire's motivations. And behind all this hiding unfolding of personalities of Kei and Misora themselves - a puzzle, the elements of which will fully assemble only in the last episode (provided that you have already assembled and correctly folded the previous elements, which is very unlikely without re-viewing).
This is a deep, subtle, intelligent and beautiful anime for those who will watch it not so much to have fun and relax, but to enjoy, in a good way, "intellectual provocation" with a complex and fascinating story, interesting and deep characters that develop and unfold in the course of the narrative, not even through numerous dialogues, as through actions and relationships with other characters. "Sagrada/Sakurada Reset" is a holistic mosaic of meaningful dialogues, deep relationships, thought experiments, philosophy, psychology, moral dilemmas and intellectual games. With a little effort of putting together this mosaic, the audience will get pleasure incomparable with the pleasure of watching other anime. If anything this anime is a vibrant proof that ratings mean little when it comes to choosing something of value to watch. Ratings may be good for entertaining things that could please wide audience but for something more special and original, something out of the ordinary, ratings are just hindrance. For me "Sakurada Reset" is without a doubt one of the best anime ever.
When you'll finally delve into and understand what is happening, when you'll have a holistic picture and the "keys" that reveal the meaning of actions and dialogues by the protagonist in different episodes will be used, then the narration won't let you go. The plot, characters and their interactions are quite complex and deep. The main characters, Kei and Misora, as well as the minor characters, are very far from the stereotypical anime characters. They are introverted and not at all expressive, have complex motivations. A storm of emotions and thoughts, their principles and ideals are hidden under a detached appearance and only occasionally, but with restraint, are breaking through to the surface in seemingly "abstract" dialogues, statements and actions. Along with the principles and ideals, each of the characters has their own weaknesses and their own "dark side", to which it is even more difficult to "get". Watching the heroes, their interaction in a fantastic environment, you seem to be solving a rebus inside a rebus. There are small external detective episodes associated with certain characters and their stories. There is the main detective story, the main battle "on the surface". It occurs between, on the one hand, Kei, who seeks to protect the place which is "sacred" for him and Misora - Sagrada / Sakurada, a place where miracles happen that can overcome the "sad rules" of the "outside" world, devoid of miracles, and, on the other hand, Masamune, who hid personal grievances and desires behind the idea of "happiness and equality for all" by destroying miracles. But behind each little detective story is hidden unfolding of the story and personality of its main characters, behind the confrontation with Masamune is hidden unfolding of his story and personality, of the stories and personalities of his friends, Kei's ideas and principles, Sumire's motivations. And behind all this hiding unfolding of personalities of Kei and Misora themselves - a puzzle, the elements of which will fully assemble only in the last episode (provided that you have already assembled and correctly folded the previous elements, which is very unlikely without re-viewing).
This is a deep, subtle, intelligent and beautiful anime for those who will watch it not so much to have fun and relax, but to enjoy, in a good way, "intellectual provocation" with a complex and fascinating story, interesting and deep characters that develop and unfold in the course of the narrative, not even through numerous dialogues, as through actions and relationships with other characters. "Sagrada/Sakurada Reset" is a holistic mosaic of meaningful dialogues, deep relationships, thought experiments, philosophy, psychology, moral dilemmas and intellectual games. With a little effort of putting together this mosaic, the audience will get pleasure incomparable with the pleasure of watching other anime. If anything this anime is a vibrant proof that ratings mean little when it comes to choosing something of value to watch. Ratings may be good for entertaining things that could please wide audience but for something more special and original, something out of the ordinary, ratings are just hindrance. For me "Sakurada Reset" is without a doubt one of the best anime ever.
