In an eccentric laboratory in the heart of Tokyo, a group of science-loving friends experiment with time travel. But when their innocent discovery turns into a deadly game with unimaginable consequences, they are propelled into a whirlwind of temporal paradoxes that threaten the very existence of their reality.
History and concept :
Steins;Gate is a science fiction and psychological thriller anime that follows the story of Rintarou Okabe, a young self-proclaimed “mad scientist” student who calls himself Hououin Kyouma. With his friends Mayuri Shiina and Itaru Hashida, they run the Future Gadget Laboratory, where they invent futuristic gadgets, each more eccentric than the last.
One day, while testing a telephone message transceiver, Okabe accidentally discovers that he can send text messages to the past and change the course of events. However, his innocent experiments end up attracting the attention of dark organizations who covet the technology for their own sinister purposes.
The parts :
The anime is divided into several parts which depict the different timelines altered by the protagonists during their time travels. Each part presents emotional and ethical issues that force the characters to make difficult decisions, while confronting the dire consequences of their actions.
Here are the different parts of the Steins;Gate anime :
- Part 1: Prologue to Paranormal
- Episodes: 1 to 12
- Synopsis: We discover Rintarou Okabe, an eccentric student who runs a research laboratory with his friends. One day, they accidentally invent a time machine. However, this discovery will quickly lead them into a strange plot, where each trip through time has unexpected consequences.
- Part 2: Steins;Gate 0
- Episodes: 13 to 23
- Synopsis: This part is a sort of alternative sequel to the first part. It follows the events after a crucial failure in the original scenario. Okabe then tries to find a solution to avoid the tragedies that have occurred and manages to discover a different version of reality.
- Epilogue: Steins;Gate: Kyoukaimenjou no Missing Link – Divide By Zero
- OAV: Special episode
- Synopsis: This special episode takes place between episodes 23 and 24 of the first part. It tells the story of the alternate ending of the first part, where Okabe fails to save Kurisu, thus causing intense internal conflict.
- Part 3: Steins;Gate
- Episodes: 24 to 25
- Synopsis: After the events of Steins;Gate 0 and the OAV, this part is a direct sequel to the first part of the anime. Okabe desperately tries to pick up the pieces of his past and find a way to save his friends and the future by manipulating time.
The emblematic characters :
Rintarou Okabe (Hououin Kyouma): An eccentric and delusional character, but also tormented by the responsibilities of time travel.
Kurisu Makise: A brilliant, cold and analytical neuroscientist, whose interest in timeline theory makes her a crucial element of the narrative.
Mayuri Shiina: Okabe’s childhood friend, sweet and affectionate, she becomes the symbol of the sacrifices linked to time travel.
Cultural influence and global success :
Steins;Gate had a major impact on Japanese animation culture and received critical acclaim. The series has been acclaimed for its complex storyline and ability to deal with temporal concepts in an intelligent and captivating way. Many fans consider Steins;Gate to be one of the best science fiction anime ever made.
The anime has also managed to capture a large international audience and has generated a community of passionate fans across the world. Its blend of thriller, suspense and science fiction captivated audiences, causing them to think about the ethical consequences of time travel and become emotionally attached to the characters.
