Dimension W or Nah?

Or Nah? is a new feature where we watch and review the first episode of a new TV show. We’ll let you know if it’s worth checking out. As always, these reviews are the opinion of the reviewer, but we’ll try to adequately explain why you should or shouldn’t give the show a chance and provide shows for comparison.

S1E1: Collector | Sundays at 12:30 AM | Cartoon Network

What’s It About?

In a world where almost everything is powered by coils, a collector and a robot cross paths amidst a conspiracy.

What Happens?

In 2036, a fourth dimension was discovered. It was called Dimension W and has limitless energy. Coils were created by Dr. Shido Yurizaki. 10 years later, he’s been missing for 2 years. Now, any coils not created by New Tesla Energy are illegal and searched for by “collectors”, which are essentially bounty hunters. They do the low level work New Tesla’s DAB division doesn’t have time for.

A coil hating collector named Kyoma Mabuchi is sent on a mission when he crosses paths with Mira, a robot. Mira was also trying to get her hands on the illegal coils but for her father. She smacks Kyoma unconscious after he finishes off the gang and runs off with the coils. Before she can reach her father, Kyoma attacks her, and the DBA tracks down her father, Dr. Shido. The DBA wants to reconcile with him but he’s not hearing any of it because the previous DBA regime killed his wife and daughter when they stole his work. Dr. Shido sets off a special coil that burns all of the coils out in the city. Mira is also burnt out but Dr. Shido calls out that she must finish the job before his coil burns him alive.

Images: Cartoon Network

Kyoma takes Mira back to his people. They soon realize she special robot made so close to being human that she can actually tear up and cry. Their tech turns her back on say they can ask her maker how she was made. Instead, she begs to help them destroy illegal coils.

What’s Good?

The concept of Dimension W is nice, but its strongpoint is its animation. There was definitely a substantial budget for the animators. The voice work is solid. Kyoma is the gruff but lovable hero we’ve all seen before, but they went out of their way to show he is smart. He’s been around the block a few times and shouldn’t fall into simple tricks. New Tesla and the DBA are decent foils, but there wasn’t much to chew on for them just yet. I’m interested to see what the mystery of Dr. Shido, Mira, and the coils turns out to be.

What’s Bad

I pointed out earlier that Kyoma is the type of hero we’ve all seen before. Where he could become an interesting and memorable character, he will most likely end up being the opposite. I don’t need to be told 10 times how Kyoma doesn’t like coils and is a badass. Once or twice is fine, past that, show me. Mira is already off to a bad start. She is the annoying, innocent, bumbling female sidekick trope personified. She was played out halfway through the episode.