Reflecting on the Impact of Episode 12 of Momentary Lily
Hey there, everyone. It’s been quite a journey with Momentary Lily, a show that’s nothing short of a whirlwind of outrageous aesthetics and labyrinthine storytelling. Today, we delve into Episode 12, standing on the precipice of its conclusion. It’s time to evaluate how this anime matches up to expectations and explore whether it lives up to its bizarre reputation. Let’s dive into the storm that is Momentary Lily.
©GoHands／松竹・もめんたりー製作委員会
The Visual Maelstrom
GoHands’ Unique Animation Style
GoHands is notorious for its distinct animation style — a recurring subject of intense debate among anime enthusiasts. Episode 12 of Momentary Lily exemplifies this divisiveness. Their penchant for eccentric visuals might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they certainly push the boundaries of conventional anime artistry. The intricately animated characters are juxtaposed against jarring backgrounds and unconventional color schemes, creating a dissonance that might be unnerving to some viewers.
Even so, one can’t deny the meticulous craftsmanship in the character animations, particularly in how fluidly the hair and garments are rendered. These artistic choices certainly showcase a technical expertise that manages to keep the viewer intrigued — if not captivated or frustrated.
The Dichotomy of Action and Aesthetic
Interestingly, amidst the chaos of colors and forms, the action scenes in Episode 12 emerge as surprisingly watchable. While they might not redefine the genre, their coherence offers relief from the overwhelmingly aggressive visual style. These sequences may not redeem the entire visual presentation, but they provide enough breathers for audiences to momentarily forget the perplexing backgrounds.
Narrative Struggles
A Search for Consistency
The storytelling of Momentary Lily remains as elusive as ever. Twelve episodes in, the anime is yet to define a cohesive narrative or find a consistent tone. This lack of direction remains a significant flaw, confusing viewers about whether the anime seeks to be a science fiction epic, a light-hearted sitcom, or even something entirely different. The characters’ development is fragmented, preventing the audience from forming any tangible connection with them.
Each episode, especially the current one, encapsulates this identity crisis. At times, it poses as a dark narrative filled with life-and-death stakes, only to dissolve into sequences of lighthearted banter without warning. This abrupt tonal shift continues to bewilder viewers right up to the finale.
Filling in the Gaps
The absence of substantial character arcs leads to a frustrating experience. Characters appear as caricatures — Hina remains the quintessential gamer, Eri the ditz, and so forth. Episode 12 offers little advancement in resolving these stagnant roles, barely going beyond surface-level interactions. Though the episode attempts to flesh out a more epic confrontation with Renge’s final sacrifice, it feels unearned due to the lack of character depth established earlier in the series.
Conclusion: Echoes of a Season
Finally, while Episode 12 attempts to ramp up to a climactic finish, that ambition is mostly unmet. This anime’s meandering direction and visually loud style overshadow any potential storytelling achievements. Admittedly, Momentary Lily draws a unique parallel to commercial enterprises such as low-end mobile games, existing primarily to capitalize on fleeting attention rather than offering substantive content.
Final Thoughts
As Momentary Lily approaches its denouement, one can only hope the finale provides a sense of closure to its bizarre saga. This series has indeed been a ride — uneven but undeniably unique in the landscape of modern anime. While it may never reach the pinnacle of its genre, it serves as an unconventional exploration worth delving into for those craving something different albeit perplexing.
With the curtains about to fall on Momentary Lily, it’s time to reflect on its impact — a show that tests patience but, at its core, represents the boundless creativity that anime can silently harbor, for better or for worse. Though it often felt like a fever dream, it remains a testament to GoHands’ bold, if somewhat baffling, vision.
Momentary Lily is currently streaming on Crunchyroll on Thursdays.
James is a writer with a deep interest in anime and pop-culture, and his musings can be found on BlueSky, his blog, and his podcast.
