REVIEW: ‘New Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt’ Episode 1

Despite the passage of nearly two decades, New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 is engaging and entertaining in almost every way. Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt was one of the most unique anime series. Not only does it have a significantly different aesthetic compared to other series, but it also has a more westernized, crass, and adult nature not seen in many anime. As such, these differences made it a highly beloved cult classic. Almost 15 years after the original series ended, Studio Trigger has taken over Gainax’s legacy and has finally produced a new season.

The episode starts with a quick recap of all the major events that have occurred so far in the series. The recap is quite useful for those who need a refresher and is incredibly nostalgic. After the recap, the episode then picks up right where the last season ended, with Kneesocks turning Stocking (Mariya Ise) into a demon and her cutting Panty (Arisa Ogasawara) into 666 pieces. Brief (Hiroyuki Yoshino), Garterbelt (Kouji Ishii), and the demon sisters from the previous season begin their quest to recover all of Panty’s parts and stop a rampaging Stocking.

Right from the start, fans will be hit with an overwhelming number of nostalgic elements from the original anime that return in this season, and they all work stupendously. The most immediately recognisable returning feature is the voice acting, which excels in all the right ways.

The voice acting in New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 is fantastic.

The voice actors fantastically bring the energy, crassness, and portrayal of each character’s personality. Most of the voice actors for both languages have returned from the first season, and they knocked it out of the park with their performances. In fact, aside from the animation upgrade, New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt feels like a natural second season to the first, even after all these years.

New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 hits the ground running with more of the violent, explosive, and unadulterated madness the series is known for. Characters are just as foul-mouthed and loud as they’ve always been, but the episode remains fun and engaging throughout.

The only moment in New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 that is removed from this madness is Brief’s inner monologue while he tries hard to revive Panty. After succeeding with the help of the others, Panty is revived but is not her usual degenerate self and is more timid and tame.

New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 features an eye-catching, cartoony aesthetic.

This then prompts Brief to contemplate what exactly he finds attractive about Panty and whether he’d still like her if she weren’t the same crass degenerate she is, while trying to stay as progressive as possible. The humor of this scene, enhanced by a random Evangelion reference, contributes to the episode’s entertainment factor.

Eventually, Panty is revived by having her final “part” inserted into her, and the final body part being the most lewd part is very in theme with the anime’s nature. This event then leads to the giant-sized sisters fighting and bickering as usual. This fight scene showcases Trigger’s evolved animation prowess in the best ways, while staying true to the visual elements of the first season.

Panty and Stocking still features the eye-catching cartoony aesthetic that almost hides the adult and crass nature of the show. However, the anime is now more vibrant, colourful, and attention-grabbing, and the final fight scene, especially during Panty’s transformation sequence, features smooth and explosive motions.

Additionally, a key part of the stellar production quality, which is just as good as, if not better than, the animation quality, is the amazing soundtrack. New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 already features a plethora of catchy tracks that fit the anime’s vibe incredibly well. These songs build up the tension throughout the episode and culminate in the final two tracks.

Panty in New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1’s songs hit with a ton of nostalgia.

The transformation song and the theme song heard at the end hit like a ton of nostalgic bricks and sound amazing. Eventually, the sisters stop fighting and bickering when Garterbelt intervenes, and the episode concludes with all the characters being amicable and heading home, which is a rare occurrence.

Overall, the first episode of New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 is unquestionably one of the best premieres of the season. It succeeds at being incredibly engaging and entertaining throughout. Trigger did a phenomenal job not only of improving the viewing experience after all these years but also of making the transition between seasons seamless, thanks to its excellent production quality.

While the opening hasn’t been featured in the anime, the ending song and animation are catchy, colorful, and well-made. The only aspect that could’ve made the episode’s viewing experience much better is showing more of the random yet hilarious hijinks and events that usually happen to the citizens of Itaden.

If the rest of the season is even close to as good as the first episode, then it’s safe to say that Panty and Stocking are back in full force, and the rest of the anime will be something to look forward to.

New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Episode 1 is streaming now on Prime Video.