Good Night World review: A captivating & emotional ride

Anime is an escape from the real world, capable of taking us on extraordinary journeys. Good Night World does just that, weaving real life with the virtual world for a captivating and emotional ride.

Based on Uru Okabe’s manga (serialized between December 2015 and January 2017) of the same name, Good Night World has garnered international attention since its 2016 debut. However, it isn’t your typical isekai series.

Released on October 12, this psychological thriller serves as a compelling allegory for the complexities of our real world. It immerses viewers in the realm of escapism while providing a nuanced look at family dynamics that forces us to re-evaluate our understanding of what it means to be human.

So, are you ready to put on your headset, tune out reality and jump into the game? Be warned, you might never return! This review is spoiler-free.

Good Night World is a heart-wrenching look at society

In this 12-episode anime series, nothing is as it seems. Discover the importance of family, question your online priorities, and explore what it means to be human.

Meet the Arima family. There’s Taichiro, the gaming addict older brother, the “golden child” Asuma, distant father Kojiro, and disorganized mother Sayaka. On the surface, they appear picture-perfect. Yet beneath this facade, they all seek refuge from their real-world struggles in an addictive MMORPG known as Planet.

Join them as they become the powerful Akabane family. Battle virtual monsters, engage in intense clashes and find the solace and comfort that they’ve been yearning for through the game. The series begins as bright and hopeful, weaving together their individual stories together as we’re immersed into their world. However, their happiness is short lived. Discover what happens as each other’s online identities are revealed, resulting in a make-or-break moment for their family – both in and out of the game. From here, Good Night World takes a darker turn and evolves into a thought-provoking social commentary that resonates with everyone.

Much like other isekai anime, this series navigates complex emotional themes and employs its VR game setting to delve into the moral implications of the characters’ in-game actions, provoking viewers to reflect on their own gaming experiences. After all, it’s one thing to form bonds with strangers in the virtual world, but it’s another to realize you’ve neglected your real-life family – a truth many viewers can relate to.

Strong visuals and impressive musical score

Good Night World’s effective use of color enables it to seamlessly transition between the vibrant and action-packed world of Planet and the mundane reality of the real world.

Directed by Katsuya Kikuchi, known for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004), and featuring character designs by Sengoku Night Blood’s Suzuna Okuyama, Studio Naz’s Good Night World provides fans with a visually stunning experience, and facilitate the series delicate balance between virtual reality and the real world.

Additionally, the anime’s catchy opening theme, Black Crack by VTuber Kuzuha, and the emotional ending theme, Salvia by Nornis, helps to bring this series to life.

Good Night World definitely has room for improvement. The first half of the series feels slow and drags on, whereas the second moves so fast that it leaves viewers yearning for a resolution to plotlines that never come. However, despite these occasional stumbles beneath the weight of its ambitious narrative, its exploration into the way gaming impacts our social circles, family connections and emotional wellbeing serves as a poignant reminder of the role video games play in our lives.

Good Night World review score: 4/5

Although the anime could improve with pacing and wrapping up its plotline, Good Night World also defies expectations. And that is no easy feat.

With its fast-paced narrative, the 12-episode series is perfect for binge-watching on Netflix. While it starts off as a slow burn, it ultimately becomes worth it. So if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and would like to watch a satisfying series that prompts you to question your reality and the legitimacy of online versus in-person connections, then Netflix’s Good Night World is a must-watch.

Yes, it may have its flaws, but its strengths and its thought-provoking narrative more than make up for them.

Good Night World is on Netflix now. You check out our list of the top 10 most anticipated anime of Fall 2023 here, and our other coverage here.