

Hand Shakers
Tazuna is a high school student, living in Osaka, who loves to fiddle around with machines. One day, he receives a repair request from an university laboratory. He accepts the request and ends up meeting a girl named Koyori, who has been bedridden for a very long time. Suddenly, Tazuna and Koyori get pulled into a whole different world called “Ziggurat”. In this world, there are Hand Shakers, two people who touch hands and create the Nimrod. Their goal is to defeat other Hand Shakers in order to gain an audience with “God”, who will grant them wishes. Protect with your own Hands!
Insights
Plot Summary
In the city of Osaka, individuals known as "Hand Shakers" possess the power to create weapons called "ニム" (Nimbl) by holding hands with a partner. These pairs engage in "Babel", a battle where the victors can have their deepest desires granted by God. Koyori, a mysterious girl, wakes up with amnesia and finds herself partnered with Tazuna, a young man who must protect her as they navigate this dangerous world of high-stakes combat and uncover the secrets behind their powers and the Babel program.
Critical Reception
Hand Shakers received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics and audiences alike. It is widely considered one of the worst anime of its season, frequently criticized for its nonsensical plot, convoluted lore, jarring animation style, and poor character development.
What Reviewers Say
- The animation style is frequently jarring and detracts from the viewing experience.
- The plot is confusing and lacks coherent storytelling.
- Character motivations and development are severely lacking.
Google audience: Google users generally express disappointment with the series, citing its confusing narrative, bizarre visual choices, and lack of engaging characters as major drawbacks. While some appreciate the unique concept, the execution is overwhelmingly seen as flawed.
Fun Fact
The distinctive visual style of Hand Shakers, characterized by its exaggerated perspectives and "camera shake" effect, was deliberately implemented by director Gou Tanabe to create a unique and dynamic viewing experience, though it proved highly divisive among viewers.
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