Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘New Saga’ Episode 1

REVIEW: ‘New Saga’ Episode 1

Abdul SaadBy Abdul Saad07/07/20253 Mins Read
Kyle in New Saga Episode 1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

With New Saga Episode 1, the series joins the large list of fantasy anime released this season. And like the others, it admittedly doesn’t have much going for it so far. The characters and tropes are much like you’ll find in other fantasy anime. The only distinguishing factor is its major time travel plot point. However, despite this, New Saga Episode 1 is one of the most engaging premieres of the season, thanks to its emotional impact, high production quality, and foreboding mysteries.

New Saga Episode 1 starts with a detailed but short exposition dump. It explains the thousands of years of conflicts between humanoids and demonic creatures, their nature, and history. After thousands of years, the races coexisted for quite some time, but the reign of a new demon lord eventually disrupted this peace. This prompts another war, forcing the protagonist, Kyle (Yuma Uchida), and his friends to participate.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Kyle makes it to the end of the demon lord’s fortress and even defeats him, but not before losing all his friends, family, and loved ones in the long battle. Despite being the grand hero, Kyle laments over his tribulations as he prepares to succumb to his wounds. Unsurprisingly, this doesn’t happen as he instead finds a relic on the demon lord’s throne, which takes him four years back in time. He happily reunites with his friends and his mom, then proclaims his goal of preventing the same future, no matter what.

New Saga Episode 1 sets the stage for the future of the series.

Liese in New Saga Episode 1

Despite not much happening in New Saga Episode 1, the episode managed to be engaging and entertaining throughout. The first part of the episode, after the exposition, shows Kyle and many of his friends in the future. It’s solemn and lacking in energy, but it also conveys the gravity of their situation as they all valiantly, yet almost sluggishly, charged to their deaths in battle.

These moments are emotional but don’t linger long enough for us to know the full details of their journey so far. However, the final fight with the demon lord showcases amazing animation and production quality from Sotsu and Studio Clutch. The movements are fluid, the special effects are mesmerizing, and the soundtrack is incredible. However, the character designs are quite typical and don’t stand out as unique for the genre at all.

The animation shines in the final fight with the demon lord.

Kyle in New Saga Episode 1

The other intriguing aspect of New Saga Episode 1 is the mystery surrounding the time travel element and the demon lord himself. Kyle’s final encounter with the demon lord is unlike most in other fantasy anime and almost feels hollow. There is no exchange between hero and villain, only silence, and we don’t even see his face. He gets introduced as quickly as he is killed, all in a way that makes it seem purposeful.

This mystery, along with the origin of the relic, the reason for the death of half the nation to power it, and whether the war was started for this relic, all make New Saga Episode 1 incredibly engaging. Despite feeling hollow, the opening ironically makes the mystery that much more interesting as it leaves these questions and more unanswered. It also provides a reason to return for subsequent episodes. 

While the concept is not unique, New Saga Episode 1 is certainly interesting, especially when matched with its well-developed world-building. The anime is emotionally impactful, has a lot of promise, and could easily be one of the best fantasy anime of the season.

New Saga Episode 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.
New Saga Episode 1
  • 7.5/10
    Rating - 7.5/10
7.5/10

TL;DR

While the concept is not unique, New Saga Episode 1 is certainly interesting, especially when matched with its well-developed world-building. The anime is emotionally impactful, has a lot of promise, and could easily be one of the best fantasy anime of the season.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleJoin the Midsummer Classic in MLB Rivals as Game Hits 5 Million Milestone
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4’ Gives Old Games New Life
Abdul Saad
  • X (Twitter)

Abdul Saad is a seasoned anime and manga critic, art lover, and professional journalist. When he's not covering the medium's latest news, he's giving his candid opinions on the season's most unique titles or exploring the niche side of the industry. He has also played and reviewed more games than he could ever count.

Related Posts

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Foundation Season 3 But Why Tho TV

REVIEW: Foundation Season 3 Is All About The Destination Not The Journey

By Will Borger09/12/2025

By the end, Foundation Season 3 was a very good season of television, but it often leaves you wishing it had more time to breathe.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here