Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]

When I bought Grimgar, I was hoping that if nothing else, I would at least enjoy it. Imagine my surprise when, having finished the series over a couple of days, it has become one of my favorite anime releases this year. Grimgar's story focuses on a group of teenagers who awaken in a fantasy world; none of them have any memory of who they are or even where they came from before arriving in this mysterious world. They decide to band together in order to survive in this place, and to that end they begin learning skills and traits that correspond with classic RPG roles such as thief, hunter, mage, priest, etc. One thing I love about the story is how little exposition we're offered; while it seems these characters are trapped in a game, the only thing that hints at that is how they progress and update their skills. The show doesn't waste time trying to figure that out, though, and I must say it works better because of it. One thing that I feel the show deserves high praise for is in how vulnerable it makes the main characters feel. In an early episode, when trying to kill a lone goblin, each character struggles when trying to bring it down. The goblin puts up quite a fight, and each character feels legitimately frightened and eventually guilty about cutting its life short. I highlight this scene because it pulls off what a lot of anime try (and often fail) at trying to portray; our heroes as vulnerable and scared human beings as opposed to supermen. Character development is also something that I feel the show handles fairly well. Granted, not every character gets a chance to shine, but those that do exhibit growth and a growing confidence that they lacked prior. These characters may seem like cliches at first, but they soon evolve into something better and considerably more enjoyable to watch. Besides the characters and plot, the show is quite nice to look at. The environments are typically well realized and our characters are animated quite fluidly. I love how the show uses color; everything from the armor the characters wear to the way the sky looks, color is used beautifully in nearly every facet of the show. If there is one criticism I have of the show, it's that the plot can sometimes feel a bit aimless. We know that the protagonists are trying to become stronger, but it would be nice for them to have more justification for journeying forward other than leveling up. There doesn't seem to be a much larger adventure lying in wait for them, at least not in what we're shown here. If there is to be a sequel series, I'd like for there to be something grander in scale. Ultimately, Grimgar is a great show that I am happy to have taken a chance on. It's beautiful visually, and its characters are fun to watch develop and grow. The plot handles themes such as vulnerability, fear and loss in a much more mature manner than many anime do, and that's an accomplishment in and of itself. I'm really hoping that we see a second season someday very soon, because Grimgar is a place I can't wait to see more of.

Shame there’s no season 2. This isekai anime is really underrated and does well with animation & story telling. If you want to watch an anime that doesn’t have overpowered characters or all girl harem, then this one for you.

Good.

Grimgar quickly became one of my favorite shows I’ve seen. I definitely enjoyed it more than death note, full metal alchemist brotherhood, is it wrong to try to pick up girls in a dungeon, Sword oratoria. This has in my opinion the best voice acting all the voices fit each character perfectly and the execution and emotion is fantastic. I love the characters too and they all are very realistic which is rare. The realistic aspect of the show is one of the things that elevates this show above others. Seeing the characters struggle to survive is kinda new to me especially compared to Sword Art Online which focuses on an expert. Early on you get to see a very cool scene that exemplifies the realism I’m talking about. Ranta is a bigmouth who talks big about what he is capable of but when he finally stabs the goblin you get to see a very refreshing reaction that I think most shows never let you see. I just think that if these types of shows were to actually happen this is a very realistic look at how people would really progress. And all the characters change and I know people who are like every single character and they did a great job of giving them specific personalities without taking traits to extremes. The ending song is also amazing and you get some serious emotion from it. This is also an incredibly emotional show and for being only 12 episodes it feels like it tells a full story is never rushed and isn’t too slow. But I am desperately hoping they do another season! Being only 12 episodes is the only thing that keeps me from saying I like it better than sword art online. I personally like grimgar better than even the first arch of sword art online but because there are more seasons and they are all good I give Sword Art Online the edge overall, but grimgar is definitely one of my favorites and to me I probably should rank it ahead of Sword Art Online but I’m not ready to give a definitive. For those wondering there is some mild language but it’s not too bad, the violence is there but as I’ve said in other reviews I don’t think violence is a reason to keep anyone from watching, and lastly there isn’t too much sexual stuff, there is one minor character dressed in a pretty inappropriate way but other than that it’s more just camera shots/angles of rear ends and some inappropriate “flat chest” comments from the character that is an insecure jerk, but really I would say if you are ok with your kid seeing a PG-13 movie then there shouldn’t be any issues with this. Again, I need a season 2! I had to add that some people complain it is slow. I don’t really understand that as it moves at a perfect speed in my opinion. I mean they are amateurs at best so getting to see everything they go through is part of the development. If you like fast pace then sword art online is probably more up your alley where they scale countless amounts of floors between episodes and you only see a handful of boss battles. But he’s a stud top player so it would be boring to watch him destroy every boss and enemy, but this is completely different and I don’t care how “slow” you think this is I don’t understand how you can’t enjoy it. This is another reason I feel like grimgar appeals to me more than Sword Art Online cause I liked the pacing of grimgar. I also didn’t mention but it’s worth reiterating what basically everyone says that the animation is amazing, if nothing else the visuals are worth watching. It’s kinda interesting though cause there are times where it looks awkward and very “watercolorish” but looking back it seems to be at transition times and then it slowly fades to perfection. Like the very first minute or so kinda had a clashy animation style and I was unsure about it, but then without me realizing where it changes I was super impressed how great the background animation was.

- Synopsis: A group of strangers find themselves in an unfamiliar world with mixed recollections of their own identities. The world is full of magic and monsters. Tune in to experience the struggles between life and death with the protagonist and his not-so-perfect party members in an unfamiliar world. The laws of nature will dictate who survives in the harsh world of Grimgar. Those that give up will definitely die. Those that fight; might survive. - Comments: The visuals (primarily, the background) looks similar to a water color-esque painting. Essentially, it’s soft and blends-in, as opposed to popping out with sharp, defined lines. Additionally, the overall tone I draw from this anime is subtly. Not every scene is flashy with destruction and carnage, but rather; an intense fight for survival. Even if it's just low-leveled party members fighting low-level goblins. Since the characters have little to no memories prior to being in the world of Grimgar, it is a bit difficult to connect with some of the characters. - Analysis: It's refreshing to see the struggles of a rag-tag team such as this. Because not every party is perfect. Not only that, watching an uber/over-powered character(s) does get boring at times. So, emphasizing survival over one-sided slaughters can be entertaining, too. Moreover, every party member can contribute something to the team. As such, it's important to address strengths and weaknesses. Effective leaders know this. This is especially true for gamers that play team-based games. Especially, if team compositions are present. - Features: Contains English audio, and Japanese audio with English subtitles. The subtitles are white. Includes 12 episodes on 2 Blu-rays, and 12 on 2 DVDs. The runtime is about 5 hours and is rated TV-14 for fantasy violence and some fan-service. - Conclusion: While the fighting might not always be flashy, this emphasizes the struggles of a group of rag-tag party members in the fantasy world of Grimgar. The visuals, like the overall anime, were subtle. The visuals were soft (especially the background), and blended-in like that of a water-color painting. Like playing certain Nintendo-based JRPGs/SRPGs. There are still unanswered questions: such as why they are in the world of Grimgar in the first place. However, if you're a viewer looking for a fantasy anime that doesn't showcase uber/overpowered characters, then this might be for you. - Recommendations: Re:Zero, Blade Dance of the Elementalers, Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, The Familiar of Zero, Black Bullet, Gate, Hundred, Absolute Duo, Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar, Ixion Saga DT, Sword Art Online, Full Metal Alchemist, K, Tokyo ESP, Code:Breaker, Sky Wizards Academy, and Chivalry of a Failed Knight.

Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions is an isekai that initially feels familiar: a group of strangers awaken in a mysterious world and, in order to survive, take on the role of low-tier adventurers just to scrape together enough coin to get by. At first glance, the cast seems built from well-worn archetypes—the reluctant leader, the hothead, the dependable strongman, the confident female lead, and the quiet, reserved girl. It’s easy to assume you’ve seen this before. But that’s only the surface. Where Grimgar truly sets itself apart is in its quieter moments. The series puts real weight on the in-between—the downtime. Not just tavern scenes, but the small, human details: pooling money for gear, debating purchases, struggling with basic survival, and learning how to function as a group. These moments aren’t filler; they are the story. As a tabletop player, particularly in games like Dungeons & Dragons, I found this especially compelling. Downtime mechanics are often overlooked or rushed, but Grimgar treats them as essential. It shows how those quieter stretches build trust, shape identity, and give weight to the dangers the characters face. For Dungeon Masters, this series is practically a case study in how to make downtime meaningful. For players, it’s a reminder that what your character does between adventures can be just as important as the battles themselves. On the Pacing: The slower pace is a defining strength of Grimgar, but it can also work against it. Viewers expecting constant action or rapid plot progression may find stretches of the series frustrating, as episodes often linger on quiet moments and incremental growth rather than big payoffs. At times, the story can feel like it’s moving in place, especially if you’re waiting for a traditional power curve or major narrative escalation. That said, if you buy into what the show is trying to do—grounding the experience in realism and character development—the pacing becomes less of a flaw and more of a deliberate choice. It demands patience, but it rewards it in a way most isekai don’t. Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions isn’t for everyone, but it’s memorable for the right reasons. It trades spectacle for subtlety, focusing on character, struggle, and the quiet moments most stories skip over. If you’re willing to meet it on its terms, it offers a grounded and surprisingly thoughtful take on the isekai genre—one that lingers with you long after it’s over.

This is an anime that will always hold a place in my heart because of the feelings it evokes. When I first started watching this anime I was severely depressed and actively planning my suicide. The struggle to live that it portrayed and the deep emotions concerning loss, failure and struggle despite it all was in a way cathartic and inspiring. The cinematography is sublime and art beautiful in a nearly magical way. The series almost feels like magical realism die to the fact that the characters are so intensely human and thier struggle within and without the centerpiece of this deeply magical and human work. Relationships, leadership, and love both platonic and romantic swirl around and through it in a way unmatched my anything else I have experienced beyond some award winning and indie live films. I would reccomend this to anyone honestly. Easily my favorite all time anime and in my top ten cinematic experiences easily. I hope that you find it as enjoyable and as beautiful as I have.

As described and an awesome anime! Well worth the purchase and watch thank you!

Works fine on my region free blu ray player this is a US Import so it's region A so you will need a player like the one I have. To watch this the English release of this anime blu ray is getting rare and quite expensive to buy where this was just over £20 pounds.

Un isekai bastante entretenido. Un poco oscuro eso sí, pero la historia que cuenta es buena. El diseño de los personajes y la animación también me gustaron mucho. Se toman el tiempo para mostrarnos el mundo y la cotidianidad de los personajes, a momentos también parece un slice of life. A mí me gustó mucho. Algo que noté, tal vez sea cosa del disco que me tocó, es que la pista de audio en inglés parece estar “corrupta”. Hay momentos en los que se escucha horrible, no así con la pista del audio en japonés. Por supuesto sin audio o subtítulos en español. 😑

Very interesting premise here, a group of people are transported to another world that is fantasy based in nature. To survive they have to become adventurers and defeat monsters to earn money to live. However, what happens when a group of young kids, inept in the actual understanding of what it means to survive and live in such a world do when faced with the stark fact that you have to kill these monsters that do not want to die and are actually trying to kill them in turn to survive. Is it really that easy to take a life, especially when that person/creature is doing everything they can to keep and preserve their own life? And what happens when one of your band, your friends, your family dies? How do you carry on? Really loved this anime and found parts of it very touching, later in the series when one of the characters dies. Always wish they did a follow up to this as either a full OVA film or a new spin of series looking where they are at 5-10 years later.

タイトル『灰と幻想のグリムガル』。 一般的な国内プレイヤーで再生出来ます（再生環境/SONYの2015年～の最廉価プレイヤー『BDP-S1500』）。 タイトルで日本語/字幕《OFF》を選択すれば、後は普通に鑑賞する事が出来ますが、これは映像特典のOVAも同様です。 映像特典はOVA（4.5話）・4話コメンタリー・他作品のトレイラー。 ファンタジーＲＰＧをリアルな残酷さで味付けしたような作品。 若い方にはわかり難いかもしれませんが、初期のウィザードリー的なノリです。 物語自体は、主人公達の成長物語的要素が強いので、全員の抱えているトラウマや課題などを1つずつ回収して行くように進んで行きます。 世界観の伏線回収などが全くされていないのが少々モヤモヤしますが、何だかんだ言って区切りの良い所で〆てくれたので、個人的には文句無しです。 チート系ファンタジーに飽き飽きな方にとっては、結構楽しめる作品ではないかと。

PanasonicのBDレコーダーで再生出来ました。強制字幕もありませんでした。