My Daughter Left the Nest and Returned an S-Rank Adventurer

I'll start with the obvious - when stacked against the cream of this year's fantasy crop, "S-Rank Heroine and Co." looks like a poor relative. The animation style feels dated, sporting a faded color palette and battle effects reminiscent of the 90s. The fights themselves are handled as economically as possible in terms of action and movement. Still, credit where it's due—the creative team managed to extract maximum impact from minimal resources. Despite its shortcomings, the animation remains coherent and surprisingly passable. However, if you're expecting a top-tier fantasy spectacle, prepare for disappointment. Then again, spectacle isn't the series' primary focus. From the trailers, it's evident that the show centers around family dynamics — specifically, the relationship between a father and his daughter. And in this regard, it delivers admirably. Belgrieve emerges as a compelling character, always ready to lend a helping hand — because he also used to be an adventurer. Angeline, his daughter, exudes an endearing charm and really loves her father, maybe a little too much, so even though she's about 17, she often acts like she's 12 in the presence of her father. While some may find it amusing or adorable, others might see it as grating or contrived. Personally, I find myself somewhere in between on this matter. The supporting characters serve their purpose aptly — the likable ones endear themselves to the viewer, while villains evoke either mystery or disdain, making their punishment all the more satisfying. As the protagonist's family grows, akin to the Torretos, the ensemble remains well-balanced, thanks to the generally solid characterizations. What truly piques my interest, however, is the protagonist's enigmatic past. I crave more insight into the series' darker undertones — a facet that captured my attention most. If properly developed in a potential next season (which was somewhat lacking in the first), it could elevate the series beyond its current 6/10 rating. (21/12/2023)