If you follow the seasonal preview and the first impression posts, you get an idea on where I stand about P.A.Works originals as a whole. I have deep respect for an anime studio that prioritizes original contents over adapting popular-but-empty isekais and idols and all that jazz. At the same time, it’s a bit frustrating to see these series are quite there but never fully reach their own potential. Almost all of their previous originals start strong but fail to stick the landing. After 3 episodes of Aquatope, I can sense the same patterns – it’s thoughtful and resonant in small moments but doesn’t quite have a strong narrative to carry its fuel.