Steins;Gate
Synopsis
Self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintarou lives in a small room in Akihabara, where he invents "future gadgets" with fellow lab members Shiina Mayuri, his air-headed childhood friend, and Hashida Itaru, an otaku hacker. The three pass the time by tinkering with their latest creation, a "Phone Microwave" that can be controlled through text messages. The lab members soon face a string of mysterious incidents that lead to a game-changing discovery: the Phone Microwave can send emails to the past and thus alter history. Adapted from the critically acclaimed visual novel by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate takes Okabe to the depths of scientific theory and human despair as he faces the dire consequences of changing the past.
Why This Anime Hits
A time-travel thriller that's secretly about the price of playing God with the people you love.
Steins;Gate spends twelve episodes making you laugh at a delusional scientist in a lab coat, then spends twelve episodes making you watch him shatter. Okabe's descent from playful mad scientist to a man drowning in the consequences of his own brilliance is one of anime's greatest character arcs. The moment you realize the comedy was the setup and the tragedy was always the point — that's when it gets you.
Mood Match
Where to Watch
Available on these platforms
Availability may vary by region
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