Semantic Error – Anime Review

Sangwoo and Jaeyoung are students at Hanguk University. Sangwoo is enrolled in the Department of Computer Engineering, while Jaeyoung studies in the Department of Visual Design. The two of them are working on an indie video game together.

The two of them have drastically different personalities. Sangwoo is serious and hardworking, whereas Jaeyoung is more lighthearted and playful. Jaeyoung likes to tease his partner, making him flustered or annoyed. His provocative antics sometimes irritate Sangwoo, who acts a bit hostile around his companion. Nonetheless, they share a close relationship, and there's a strong sexual attraction between them.

Semantic Error is an intriguing slice-of-life anime that shows much potential. However, this series is painfully short at just fifteen minutes long. Although the narrative is quick and basic, the BL content still manages to be pretty engaging. The story is told through four loosely connected episodes, each depicting a juicy and passionate moment between the main characters. I'm pleasantly surprised by Semantic Error, captivating me with the two likable protagonists and their sizzling romance. 

As someone unfamiliar with the Semantic Error manhwa or novel, I don't know how this adaptation fares compared to the original. My impression is the anime seems like a very stripped-down version of the source material. For instance, we never get formal introductions to the characters. We only learn about their relationship dynamic through visual cues or random snippets of conversations. I'm sure the Semantic Error remake leaves out many other crucial details, since the gaps in the narrative feel quite noticeable.

Despite having almost no context, I still enjoy the sexy rapport between Sangwoo & Jaeyoung. The anime successfully cultivates a fun, flirty vibe between the characters. Their foreplay builds up quickly and convincingly, so it doesn't take long before they share intimate kisses or indulge in erotic exchanges. Their physical affection is also balanced with scenes that develop the emotional bond between the couple. Semantic Error does an excellent job at solidifying the BL romance, an incredible feat in such a short amount of time.

Sangwoo and Jaeyoung have attractive character designs. They can look rather dashing in some scenes from specific angles. However, the rest of the visuals are unremarkably plain. Plus, the art quality is inconsistent across the episodes, fluctuating between average and a little half-assed. You can tell this anime was made with limited resources, evident through its lack of polish. I'm sympathetic to the low-budget constraints and won't dock many points from my review. Nonetheless, it's regretful that Semantic Error couldn't look more beautiful.

Semantic Error has an impressive last episode, a delightful showcase of what this anime could've achieved with enough time and budget. As much as I like what I see, the problem is that I only get a glimpse instead of the full picture. This series is simply too short and lacks cohesive content. It desperately needs extra episodes, ongoing plots, along with adorable relationship moments. Overall, Semantic Error captures my interest, but I suspect that's due to the strength of the original story. Otherwise, the anime leaves me feeling unsatisfied and wanting a lot more.