First Impressions: Wonder Egg Priority

There was very little about this anime at the start of the season. In fact, up until release, this image was pretty much all I could find. Admittedly, I didn’t really look all that hard. Even Funimation had very limited information up until release. I couldn’t even find a synopsis.

I am glad that I gambled on this one.

If you’ve followed this blog for awhile, you know that I value a good, dark anime, and Wonder Egg Priority definitely delivers. That is, so far. We’re only two episodes in at the time of this post.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Let’s start with the art style. I absolutely love Ai-chan. Just look at her! She is completely adorable. I am a big fan of color, and this anime doesn’t disappoint. Ai-chan is decked out in this blazin’ yellow hoodie that can’t be missed. The contrast with the blue hair is just very attractive to me. I love watching this anime just for the art style.

Ai-chan is adorable in her own little way. Her mannerisms are very cute and I immediately felt somewhat of a connection with her character.

Let’s talk storyline. At the time of this post, we’re only two episodes in. We’re introduced to Ai who isn’t going to school. Throughout the first episode, it is apparent that something traumatic has happened. We slowly learn that Ai has been a victim of bullying due to her heterochromia (condition of two different-colored irises) and experienced the loss of her one and only friend.

Can we take a minute to discuss this? I’ve been watching anime for awhile now, and I try not to let it serve as a true window of what Japanese culture is like. I just wonder how rampant bullying and suicide are in their nation. Many anime always show Japanese children being complete and utter douchebags to each other. Don’t get me wrong. I know that American children are just as bad. That is not my point. I just find it jarring that it seems to be a common anime theme and I don’t know if that is a real issue versus just using bullying/suicide as a plot device. Anyhow, moving on.

Ai discovers an abandoned arcade where she comes into possession of her first wonder egg. When she goes to sleep, she is transported into a life-like dream world. Ai finds herself in a school building and is prompted to break the egg. As she breaks the egg, a girl is “born” from the egg. We quickly learn the rules of this dream world. Ai is supposed to help protect and save the person from the wonder egg. From what exactly? Oh, you know. Murderous creatures. The person from the wonder egg can die from the damage of these creatures whereas the creatures don’t chase or engage Ai until she attacks. Once she realizes that the creatures aren’t after her, she chooses not to help protect the girl from the wonder egg. The girl from the egg manages to stay alive. Probably disgusted at her own cowardice, Ai decides to help the girl before the last minutes before the final bell. We learn that in this dream world, Ai is immortal, but the wounds she receives in this dream world manifest on her body when she wakes up.

There is so much packed into the first two episodes that I don’t want to give everything away. The entire concept of this show is pretty dark. One could say it is also like a bizarre acid trip in some aspects. There are themes of bullying and suicide that might be a trigger for you. I am sure there will be a theme of redemption for Ai, so I am going to continue to watch this show. So far, I highly recommend it to those of you who like a break from the happy anime.