9-nine- Shihaisha no Oukan

Characters

Miyako Kujou

MAIN

Kakeru Niimi

MAIN

Sora Niimi

SUPPORTING

Renya Takamine

SUPPORTING

Noa Yuuki

SUPPORTING

Ghost

SUPPORTING

Haruka Kousaka

SUPPORTING

Satsuki Naruse

SUPPORTING

Yoichi Fukazawa

SUPPORTING

Sophitia

SUPPORTING

9-Nine: Ruler’s Crown Season 1 – A Chaotic Tapestry of Ambition and Flaws

9-Nine: Ruler’s Crown, the anime adaptation of Palette’s episodic visual novel series, premiered on July 5, 2025, promising a blend of supernatural mystery, budding romance, and a murder investigation set in the unassuming college town of Shiromitsugawa. Directed by Kōichi Ōhata and animated by Studio P.R.A., this 12-episode season attempts to distill a sprawling, multi-route visual novel into a cohesive narrative. The result is a bold, messy, and occasionally brilliant experiment that stumbles under its own ambition but offers moments of genuine intrigue. This review dives deep into the show’s strengths, shortcomings, and unique place in the 2025 anime landscape, drawing from its narrative structure, character dynamics, and technical execution.

A Town on the Brink: Setting and Premise

Shiromitsugawa is a fading college town desperate for revitalization, its latest attempt being a poorly received anime based on local folklore. When an earthquake damages the sacred treasure at Hakuda Tsukumo Shrine, mysterious artifacts from a parallel world grant superhuman abilities to a select group of young men and women, including protagonist Kakeru Niimi. The premise is immediately compelling: a grounded setting disrupted by supernatural chaos, with a serial killer wielding similar powers lurking in the shadows. The show frames itself as a murder mystery laced with romance and coming-of-age themes, following Kakeru and his allies as they navigate newfound abilities and hunt the killer.

The setting stands out for its deliberate ordinariness, a stark contrast to the fantastical elements. Shiromitsugawa’s failed tourism ventures and quiet streets ground the story in a relatable melancholy, making the supernatural intrusions feel jarring and consequential. However, the show struggles to balance its ambitious scope—spanning mystery, action, and interpersonal drama—within the constraints of a single cour.

Narrative: A Jigsaw Puzzle Missing Pieces

The greatest strength and weakness of 9-Nine: Ruler’s Crown lies in its narrative structure. Adapted from a visual novel series known for its four distinct routes, each focusing on a different heroine, the anime attempts to weave a linear story that incorporates elements from all routes. This choice is both innovative and problematic. The first episode throws viewers into a whirlwind of events: an earthquake, a mysterious statue, cosplay drama, and a fire-based cliffhanger. This rapid-fire pacing, while engaging, feels like a highlight reel of a much larger story, leaving little room for emotional or narrative breathing space.

The plot follows Kakeru, a curt but kind-hearted student, as he teams up with classmates like Yoichi, a loyal friend, and Miyako, a spirited cosplayer, to investigate the artifacts and the murders tied to them. The supernatural elements—powers like telekinesis, time manipulation, and elemental control—are introduced with little explanation, creating an air of mystery that is both intriguing and frustrating. By episode 6, the show shifts from a festival-centric slice-of-life vibe to a darker murder investigation, but the transition feels abrupt, as if multiple writers were pulling the story in different directions.

The visual novel’s branching paths are a double-edged sword. Fans of the source material may appreciate nods to characters like Sora, a fan-favorite heroine, but newcomers are likely to find the narrative disjointed. The show’s attempt to condense 8-12 hours of content per heroine into a single season results in underdeveloped subplots and rushed character arcs. For instance, a subplot involving Kakeru’s sister and a misunderstanding about a pin is introduced and resolved so quickly it feels inconsequential. The murder mystery, while gripping in moments—particularly a chilling park confrontation in episode 4—loses momentum in the second half as the show juggles too many threads, culminating in a finale that answers some questions but leaves others maddeningly vague.

Characters: Potential Buried Under Pacing

Kakeru Niimi is a serviceable protagonist, defined by his sense of responsibility and understated kindness. His curt demeanor hides a protective streak, making him a relatable anchor in the chaos. However, his development is hampered by the show’s breakneck pace, which prioritizes plot over character depth. Miyako, the cosplaying classmate, brings energy and charm, her interactions with Kakeru hinting at a budding romance that feels organic but underdeveloped. Yoichi and other supporting characters, like the enigmatic Sora, show flashes of personality but are often reduced to plot devices due to time constraints.

The antagonist, a super-powered serial killer, is a standout when on screen. Their motives, tied to the artifacts and the shrine’s history, are revealed gradually, creating a sense of dread that peaks in episode 8’s intense showdown. Yet, their backstory is only partially explored, leaving viewers wanting more. The show’s ensemble cast is a strength in theory, but the adaptation’s inability to give each character sufficient screen time undermines their impact. Moments of camaraderie, like the group’s festival antics, shine as glimpses of the “found family” dynamic the show aspires to but struggles to sustain.

Technical Execution: A Mixed Bag

Studio P.R.A.’s animation is a highlight, with vibrant character designs by Saori Sakiguchi that evoke early 2000s anime aesthetics while feeling fresh. The Shiromitsugawa Revival Festival is rendered with colorful detail, and action sequences, particularly those involving superpowers, are fluid and dynamic. The opening theme, “ResoNAnce” by Araki, is a catchy, high-energy track that captures the show’s blend of mystery and action, while the ending, “Pale Blaze” by Chihiro Yonekura, adds an emotional weight that the narrative sometimes lacks.

However, the direction by Kōichi Ōhata feels inconsistent. Scene transitions are often jarring, reflecting the visual novel’s segmented structure rather than a cohesive anime. The sound design, overseen by Jin Aketagawa, is atmospheric, with eerie soundscapes enhancing the murder mystery, but the dialogue occasionally feels stilted, possibly due to translation issues or the source material’s roots in an adult visual novel. Fan discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight subtitle quality as a recurring issue, with some fans resorting to fansubs from groups like SevenAte to avoid machine-translated dialogue.

Themes and Resonance

At its core, 9-Nine: Ruler’s Crown explores themes of trust, responsibility, and the collision of ordinary life with extraordinary circumstances. The artifacts symbolize unchecked power and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond human control, a theme that resonates in the show’s darker moments. The budding romance between Kakeru and Miyako, while underdeveloped, offers a hopeful counterpoint to the violence, emphasizing connection in the face of chaos. The show’s attempt to blend slice-of-life elements with a supernatural thriller is ambitious, but it often feels like two different stories vying for dominance.

Reception and Context

Fan reactions, as seen on platforms like Reddit and MyAnimeList, are polarized. Some praise the show’s potential and visual flair, with one user noting, “The plot has a lot of potential… the opening scene especially had me interested”. Others criticize its lack of focus, with comments like, “It kept transitioning the scenes like rapid fire… really unfocused stuff”. The show’s 7.1 rating on IMDb reflects this divide, with viewers appreciating the premise but frustrated by execution. Compared to other 2025 summer anime, 9-Nine struggles to stand out against tighter narratives like Kaiju No. 8, but its unique blend of genres makes it a curious outlier.

Verdict: A Flawed Gem

9-Nine: Ruler’s Crown Season 1 is a fascinating but flawed adaptation that bites off more than it can chew. Its ambitious attempt to merge a multi-route visual novel into a single season results in a narrative that feels both overstuffed and incomplete. Yet, its compelling premise, vibrant visuals, and moments of genuine tension make it worth watching for fans of supernatural mysteries and visual novel adaptations. The show is at its best when it leans into its murder mystery and character dynamics, but it falters when trying to juggle too many elements.

For viewers unfamiliar with the visual novel, the show may feel overwhelming, but those willing to embrace its chaos will find a unique, if uneven, experience. Fans of the source material may enjoy the nods to their favorite routes, but even they may lament the rushed pacing. Ultimately, 9-Nine: Ruler’s Crown is a bold swing that doesn’t fully connect but leaves enough intrigue to warrant curiosity about a potential second season—or a return to the visual novel for the full story.¹

Final Score: 6.8/10 – A chaotic blend of mystery and heart, held back by pacing issues but elevated by its ambition and visual charm.