Blade Runner: Black Lotus Anime Debuts to Mixed Reviews

By Megan Peters - November 14, 2021 01:11 pm EST

Blade Runner: Black Lotus has made its debut, and the sci-fi series is bringing back one of Hollywood's most beloved franchises. The world of Blade Runner is back in action thanks to this ambitious anime, and Adult Swim shared the show's first episodes last night. And now, netizens are sounding off on whether Blade Runner: Black Lotus is living up to their expectations.

As you can find in the slides below, reactions are mixed so far. When it comes to story and substance, audiences are mostly satisfied so long as they're caught up with the Blade Runner mythos. Netizens admit the show will be hard to slip into if you're not a Blade Runner fan, but the story is doing alright at two episodes in.

But when it comes to art and animation, well - things are a bit rough. The show was produced by a team at Sola Digital Arts, and as always, anime fans aren't sure about this show's CG animation. The 3D look is being critiqued for being too smooth and stoic at the worst times. And when it comes to action sequences, Blade Runner: Black Lotus has yet to impress.

Of course, the series is just two episodes in at this point, so there's time to turn naysayers around. The cast itself is putting in wonderful work with Jessica Henwick leading the charge as Arisa Shida. If the story can keep steady, Blade Runner: Black Lotus only needs to address its growing animation pains to come out on top. So for now, fans will have to watch and see how this Crunchyroll-Adult Swim production goes down.

Have you checked out Blade Runner: Black Lotus yet? Or does this anime adaptation not align with your exact tastes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or hit me up on Twitter @MeganPetersCB.

Surprise or...?

Blade Runner: Black Lotus is good, actually

A little bit awkward like a lot of CG anime is but the vibes are there, solid direction, good visuals, ambient synth music, and I’m invested in a replicant main character who is NOT hunting other replicants from the start pic.twitter.com/WKOkYuVxhd
— Jaclyn’s Barriss Offee Agenda (@Jbandos) November 14, 2021

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Oh No, Oh No

The rest of the models in Blade Runner Black Lotus don't look much better. You'd think for main characters, they would try to make them look nicer

Nope

They're just too smooth with no defined textures & bright lights make them way worse pic.twitter.com/1oxRS3Fg7n
— Jaded Otakus Podcast (@JadedOtakus) November 14, 2021

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How Is It Going?

I'm gonna watch it because I'm a sucker for the universe but I don't think BLADE RUNNER: BLACK LOTUS is for me. Maybe I'll change my tune as it goes on
— Lewk Skywalker (@jontypesthings) November 14, 2021

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The Good and the Bad

Blade Runner Black Lotus is really boring. Just feels like a slideshow of concept art at times

Don't get me wrong though, backgrounds look nice but the models + animation look horrible pic.twitter.com/o1UWvhBl2m
— Jaded Otakus Podcast (@JadedOtakus) November 14, 2021

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Fingers Crossed

Blade runner black lotus is a real improvement from ghost in the shell 2020. The character's expression are better and the visual atmosphere is its the selling point. The fight choregraphy is also good. Excited to see what next. pic.twitter.com/KbQ6AwZdf9
— Lazarus (@Lazarus59089041) November 14, 2021

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Start Player 1

Watching S1E2, watched E1 already, 'Blade Runner: Black Lotus'. It tries to give the look and feel of "Blade Runner", but fails. This has the look and feel of a video-game.
— martin de bruin (@MartindeBruin74) November 14, 2021

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A Sweet Start

Blade Runner: Black Lotus is excellent so far. The visuals are insane, and I'm digging the tone and pacing. I was getting some serious Samurai Jack Vibes in the first episode, with the limitted dialogue and detailed fight sequences.
— Danté B. (@DanteTheReapa) November 14, 2021

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Good to Go

First couple episodes of Blade Runner: Black Lotus were solid. Like the comics (which are also pretty good so far), I don't think the show will stick with me as much as the movies do, but hey, it's good stuff.
— Corey Ruehling (@CoreyRuehling) November 14, 2021

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