UlasanAnime.com – While the term “procedural” might be less specific than “slice-of-life,” it’s clear that Wizard Barristers stands as a solid example of the procedural genre.
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A significant challenge for the “monster of the week” format, common in procedurals, is its tendency to become repetitive. This is a hurdle that anime and manga narratives have largely overcome since the early 2000s. Effective procedurals manage to avoid this pitfall. In this regard, Wizard Barristers leans towards the other extreme; it avoids this issue, yet paradoxically, it doesn’t quite feel like a true procedural.
The vast majority of its episodic plots adhere to the “incident-investigation-trial” structure, which should qualify Wizard Barristers as a procedural on a technical level. Yet, there are complaints that it deviates from this pattern. Even the series finale follows this exact same formula.
Consequently, we have a procedural that strictly adheres to its structure, but it’s presented in a manner reminiscent of giggling schoolgirls on a field trip. This aspect touches upon another common criticism of anime characters: their perceived lack of adult behavior. In Wizard Barristers, the characters indeed act like they are not adults.
It’s questionable whether this offers a great depiction of adults in a professional setting. Furthermore, where is the engaging content that audiences typically enjoy in procedural shows within Wizard Barristers?
As someone interested in the intricacies of criminal prosecution within this context, my feelings about the show are mixed, to say the least. However, it’s important to acknowledge that most people lack a deep understanding or interest in such details. Perhaps my appreciation for Wizard Barristers stems from my genuine interest in these more obscure aspects and how the show attempts to evoke them.
Today’s audience, to put it mildly, has high expectations for procedural content. Therefore, there’s limited room for innovation within the anime procedural genre. Titles like Witch Hunter Robin and Conan are often cited as prime examples, yet neither is particularly outstanding in this specific context. This gap exists, but the question remains whether it’s significant enough to warrant filling.
