Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show Review

This post may contain affiliate links, which earn us commission. Learn more.

“Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show” stormed onto screens this season, promising a fresh take on Lovecraftian horror. The initial buzz was immense, fueled by striking visuals and the bold decision to blend classic lore with modern anime tropes. But does it truly capture the chilling essence of cosmic dread, or does it get lost in translation?

If you put together Lovecraftian horror, v-tubers, squid games and anime, this is what I would expect to come out of the mix. This story follows the main character, a v-tuber named Miko Kurono, who tries to make a living from streaming. Early on we find she is an orphan who has struggled to get a leg up in life, and when the opportunity presents itself to earn a good sum of money, Miko accepts. On the set date when she arrives, she finds dozens of other streamers and internet personalities as well yearning to earn the prize money from what is thought to just be a new VR game. Little did they know, this system was currently holding the Great Old Ones from H.P. Lovecraft novels, attempting to gain enough existential dread from their victims in order to manifest in the real world. It is up to these select few personalities to dodge death and failure in the games with the Old Ones in order to defeat and halt them from entering our world. Thankfully they are beings of their word in the contracts made, right?

The Good

No doubt, the animation is breathtaking. The monstrous designs are suitably grotesque while retaining a fun atmosphere belying the horror. The otherworldly landscapes pulse with unsettling beauty and familiarity, while keeping the palette fun and horrifying. They clearly put a lot of work into making the Great Old Ones both fun, entertaining and still give a creepy aura fitting Lovecraftian horror, with a bit of fan service. (Are we crushing on Cthulhu yet?)

The series doesn’t shy away from complex themes. It tackles existential dread, the insignificance of humanity, and the corrupting influence of forbidden knowledge head-on. It tries to get pretty deep and does a decent job setting the theme for each episode, while building the surmounting cost of failure for the protagonists.

The musical composition has both subtle, disquieting vibes and fun game-y feels to compliment the animation. Occasionally throwing in a happy-go-lucky score during a chase scene where lives are on the line, gives this an almost comedic feel, but I believe this was intentional to give us an idea of how the Old Ones view the happenings in their games. From opening credits to closing, the ambiance shifts drastically scene to scene, but does a good job balancing the act.

Where it Stumbles

Pacing Problems: The narrative often feels rushed, sacrificing character development for plot progression. Major events unfold too quickly, leaving me struggling to connect emotionally.

Fan Service Overload: While a touch of humor can lighten the mood, “Necronomico” occasionally leans too heavily into anime clichés. This undermines the intended atmosphere of creeping dread. I would’ve preferred a more serious tone, and less skin, but that’s my personal taste.

Did Cthulhu get there: Final Verdict

“Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show” is a visually stunning anime that attempts to grapple with the profound themes of Lovecraftian horror. However, pacing issues and an over-reliance on fan service detract from its overall impact. While it offers moments of genuine terror and intrigue, it ultimately falls short of becoming a truly transcendent work of cosmic horror. If you are a fan of Lovecraft, you will find some elements that you will like, and if you enjoy more modern style with fun visuals and music score to die for, then this may be for you.

What did you think of the series? Have you had a chance to watch it yet?

This nerd rates Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show a solid 8.8/10

Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show poster artwork

NerdScore 8.8/10