This change gives the viewer a more unsettling viewing experience because Mary and Yumeko’s face have more realistic and uncomfortable features. The mouth contorts into deranged shapes and the eye’s pupils shrink as wrinkles and sweat form around it. This occasional change in art style really works in developing the atmosphere in a scene that creates a more pleasurable, albeit creepier, watching experience.

The story of “Kakegurui†is very unique and isn’t a concept I’ve seen done before, because the story progresses in surprising ways that put the viewer on the edge of their seat. A notable example is in episode 11, during the intense match of “Choice Poker†between Yumeko and council accountant Kaede Manyuda, Yumeko calls on her new ally Itsuki to bet her life. That meaning, to bet her entire life value. If Yumeko and Itsuki were to lose, Itsuki’s life would be decided on by the council. 

Kaede Manyuda objects to this notion, saying to the dealer who wished to allow this bet of Itsuki’s life, “Neither you nor anyone else here has that authority!â€. The dealer then proceeds to remove their mask, revealing it to be the student council president. This reveal was such a shock as the president was believed to have been gone from campus on a business deal. For her to appear like magic makes you wonder how long she had been among the cast.

The only negative thing I could say about this show is that it’s not a “public friendly†watch. There are certain scenes that would not only make the viewer uncomfortable but also those who may catch a glimpse of your screen as well. Adding on, the “fanservice†trope can give a twisted impression of the person watching or show to anyone who happens to pass by at the wrong time. Fanservice is the depiction of breasts, buttocks, or any sort of “lewd†imagery for the sake of fans. Not to mention that the voice acting can come across as strange or sexual to those who are within earshot of the show. Since everything is in Japanese, unless you listen to it with an English voice-over, there is no auditory context to what is going on within a particular scene. This combination can create incredibly humiliating moments for the viewer in public. If you do watch this anime then please just watch it at home and save yourself from any awkward moments.

Overall, Kakegurui was a thoroughly interesting watch, to say the least. If I had to give this show a rating out of 10, I would give it a 9/10. It lost that last point since it isn’t “public friendlyâ€. I would highly recommend this to anime lovers looking for a fresh storyline in the anime world or maybe to those who don’t necessarily watch anime but want a “taste-breaker†in their watch list.