Moonrise [Season 1 Episode 1 to Episode 18]

Moonrise: A Beautifully Animated Yet Flawed Sci-Fi Adventure

Netflix’s Moonrise had all the ingredients to be a standout sci-fi anime: a futuristic world ruled by an omnipotent AI, stunning visuals from Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga), character designs by Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist), and a gripping premise. But after binging all 18 episodes, the consensus among fans is clear—Moonrise is a mixed bag. It’s visually breathtaking but struggles with pacing, character development, and a story that never quite lives up to its potential.

The Premise and World-Building

Set in a future where humanity is governed by Sapientia, an all-knowing AI network, Moonrise follows Jack and his friends as they uncover the dark truths behind their seemingly utopian society. The show kicks off with a bang—Episode 1, The Night It All Began, throws viewers into a world on the brink of revolution. The concept is fascinating: What happens when people blindly trust an AI to make every decision for them? The show explores themes of autonomy, rebellion, and the cost of progress, but as many fans pointed out, it doesn’t dig deep enough.

One Reddit user summed it up perfectly: “Moonrise is a big junk of cool ideas that didn’t work together because of pacing.” The world-building is rich, with moon colonization, advanced tech, and political intrigue, but the execution feels rushed. The non-linear storytelling, while ambitious, left some viewers confused. “The time jumps were a bit annoying,” commented one MyAnimeList user, “and the whole thing felt like it was cut short.”

The Characters: Underdeveloped but Visually Stunning

Jack, the protagonist, is… fine. That’s the general sentiment. He’s not terrible, but he’s not memorable either. Fans compared him unfavorably to Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan), noting that Jack lacks the intensity or emotional depth to carry the story. “Even Jack, who lost his parents, felt flat,” one viewer wrote. “Eren wasn’t soft—he was driven by rage. Jack just… exists.”

The supporting cast doesn’t fare much better. Relationships, like Jack and Eric’s, are underdeveloped, making key moments fall flat. “I did feel kinda bad that Eric died,” admitted one fan, “but it came out of nowhere, so the impact was lost.” Even the romantic subplot between Jack and Rhys feels half-baked. “He never communicates properly to Rhys,” complained another viewer, “so when he ‘chooses’ Mary over her, it just feels selfish, not heroic.”

That said, the character designs are gorgeous. Arakawa’s touch is evident in the expressive faces and dynamic action sequences. The animation, especially during fight scenes, is fluid and cinematic. “The engrave tech and their cape/hood thing is neat,” praised one fan. But as another bluntly put it: “This is the prettiest anime I’ve felt almost nothing towards.”

The Plot: High Stakes, Low Payoff

Moonrise starts strong but loses steam. The first few episodes set up an intriguing conflict—humanity vs. Sapientia—but the resolution feels rushed. The finale, Episode 18, leaves things open-ended, which some appreciated (“It ended on a sort of cliffhanger,” noted a reviewer) while others found frustrating (“The plot could have been better,” sighed a fan).

The biggest criticism? The show couldn’t decide on its tone. “It was confused about its vibe,” one viewer observed. “Weird combination of comedy moments and seriousness. One minute, characters are mourning their family’s death; the next, they’re making funny faces.” This tonal inconsistency made it hard for audiences to fully invest in the story.

Final Verdict: A 7/10 Experience

Despite its flaws, Moonrise isn’t a total loss. The animation is top-tier, the world is fascinating, and there are moments of brilliance—like the moon colonization arc and the philosophical questions about AI governance. But as one fan aptly described it: “Beautifully animated mid.”

If you’re a sci-fi fan who values aesthetics over narrative depth, Moonrise might be worth a watch. But if you’re looking for another Attack on Titan or Psycho-Pass, you’ll likely be disappointed. As one viewer concluded: “I don’t regret watching it, but I’ll probably forget about it within a week.”

And honestly? That’s the most Moonrise take of all.