Synopsis
The normal game is too easy for one guy. Kenichi is just an ordinary guy who has been playing games for quite a while. However, one online game that he played the most is shutting down its server. Because of this, he wanted a new game to fill his time. One game that intrigues him the most is the one with a mode called “Hell Mode”, and he can also adjust the difficulty even more. When clicking that, he then reincarnated into a child with the stats that he picked before. Here begins the adventure of a reincarnated guy who needed to live in a fantasy world with the hardest difficulty “Hell” and also the hardest class to master.
Comments
Cakra Bhirawa (The Indonesian Anime Times)
Another month, another fantasy anime about a reincarnated person in a new world. It’s a trope you can’t really avoid, but here we go. Luckily, this one feels a bit more interesting. In the first episode, Hell Mode really tries to develop its world, characters, and setting. The execution of the world-building is surprisingly solid. It lays out a simple premise that anyone can jump into and understand, then unfolds the story’s progression at a deliberately slow pace. And I mean literally slow, the story begins with the protagonist as a baby! Watching a noob grow into a pro player from such an early stage is oddly engaging, especially as the character gradually learns the game-like mechanics and adapts to the world itself.
Because of this, the world feels more alive. It’s not just another story about an “overpowered” or “naturally gifted” hero. Instead, it’s about grinding your way through life in a fantasy world, even when starting at a great difficulty level. With a strong premise and story, visuals are also important, and to be fair, the visuals are quite nice for this kind of fantasy anime. They’re not particularly memorable, but pleasant enough to watch.
However, after hearing the theme song, my worst fear suddenly appeared…. the 3DCG monsters look bad as hell. The models look rough, almost distractingly so. I can’t confirm if this will be the case throughout the series, but at least the monster summoned by the protagonist shown in the first episode has some personality, even if you can still clearly see the 3D modelling. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than a bland, lifeless design.
This anime takes an interesting approach to a familiar trope, offering a fresh perspective on how world-building can be done well. I wouldn’t say it reaches the level of Mushoku Tensei, but you can genuinely feel the character growing alongside you in this first episode. If you enjoy this kind of trope, Hell Mode might be worth checking out this season.
Facts and Figures
| Alternative Title | Hell Mode: Yarikomizuki no Gamer wa Hai Settei no Isekai de Musou suru |
| Source material | Light Novel written by Hamuo and illustrated by Mo |
| Cast | Marie Miyake as Thomas Granvelle |
| Director | Toshinori Odaka |
| Character Design | Mayumi Watanabe |
| Opening Song | “Haku (ハク)” by Atarayo |
| Ending Song | “Sanctuary” by Kaya |
| Studio | Yokohama Animation Lab |
| Official Site | https://hellmode-anime.com/ |
| @hellmode_anime | |
| Broadcast Date | 9 January 2026 (1605 GMT / 2305WIT), 10 January 2026 (0105 JST) |
Screenshots and Trailer
The Indonesian Anime Times
