A few months after the events of Steins;Gate, Rintarou Okabe and his group of friends are invited to tag along with their acquaintance Faris NyanNyan, who is participating in a Rai-Net battle event in the United States. There, they meet up with an old colleague: Kurisu Makise, who has been recalling fragmented memories of events that happened in the other world lines in the form of dreams. She confronts Okabe, questioning him as to whether these events—particularly the incidents between the two of them—did indeed happen.
Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania – Synopsis
Based on the science fiction visual novel/game developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus, the story of Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania (or Egoistic Poriomania in English) is a side story that takes place after the original series. It’s set in world line where Okabe and the rest of the Future Gadget Lab members are preparing to head towards America. Unbeknownst to them, one forgotten complication has arisen: Suzuha’s letter!
This letter contains information about a mysterious person who was known as an ‘eccentric, yet genius mad scientist’. Undeniably, this mad scientist is none other than Rintarou Okabe, their erstwhile zealous leader. Determined to re-open past wounds and solve the mystery, the group leaves for Aomori, Japan to find the person that could be Okabe himself.
Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania – Review
Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania delivers an engrossing narrative that stands up to the exigent standards set by the original series. This Special OVA takes you on an emotional roller-coaster that combines elements of time-travel, drama and mystery in a package that will leave both newcomers and seasoned fans captivated.
The exceptional story is well complemented by the stellar character development, immersive world-building, and the way it manages to incorporate complex science concepts in a digestible manner. Okabe’s unique character stands out in the series as the ‘mad scientist’ role is superbly done, and his inner conflict is portrayed in a way that keeps you hooked till the end.
The animation quality is first-rate, as expected from White Fox studio. The winter backdrop of Aomori offers a refreshing change of scenery which is beautifully detailed. Steins;Gate’s original score by Takeshi Abo is also fantastic and helps set the tone for many important and emotive scenes.
Despite the heavy subject, there are lighthearted moments that perfectly balance the macabre and dramatic elements of the story. In particular, the humorous banter between the Future Gadget Lab members offers some much-needed comic relief and enhances the characters and dynamics between them.
Final Thoughts
Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania is a spectacular extra chapter for those who are knee-deep in the original’s lore. It contributes to the overall depth of the Steins;Gate universe and adds more layers to its characters. This is a definite must-watch for every Steins;Gate fan, and for those of you who haven’t had a chance to watch the original series, this can serve as a stimulating incentive.
In conclusion, Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania is a winning combo of storytelling and visual artistry that has the grit to evoke a wide range of emotions. This is certainly a worthy addition to your anime watchlist and worth every penny for those considering a purchase or rental. You won’t be disappointed.
Until next time, this has been The Anime Critic, encouraging you to venture beyond the gate!
Be the first to leave a review.
