Based on the Japanese web novel by Hanyuu (illustrations by Yasutaka Isekawa, manga art by Air Matsukoto), The story takes place in a medieval fantasy world where people gain powers by eating “Skill Fruits” and are mostly limited to one, as eating more than one is supposed to be fatal reducing anyone who eats just one to a predetermined skill or fate. The story follows Light Underwood, who was given the apparently worthless “Fruitmaster” skill (perfect for farming, useless for battle) while his childhood friend Lena receives the coveted Sword Saint skill and rises to S-Rank. As a consequence, Lena is forced to distance herself from Light and gains celebrity status as a Hero, while Light is forced into farm life growing Skill Fruits. 3 Months later, Light’s world flips when he accidentally eats a second fruit and somehow survives, revealing that his Fruitmaster status hides a secret: immunity to fruit toxicity and the ability to acquire multiple skills. With this unexpected power, Light registers as an adventurer and sets off to prove that a “bogus” skill can become extraordinary, all while trying to reconnect with Lena and carve out his own path.On the technical side, this Anime adaptation was produced by Asahi Production and directed by Ryuichi Kimura, with Gigaemon Ichikawa writing series scripts, Risa Miyadani and Yasuka Ōtaki designing the characters, and Selin composing the music. The opening theme song is “Bravely Dance”, performed by VTubers Yukihana Lamy and Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino (a.k.a. Pepechi), and the ending theme song is “Such Is Our Adventure Saga!”, performed by TrySail.In a nutshell, Bogus Skill ≪Fruitmaster≫ enters the fantasy adventure/scene with a premise that feels both familiar and refreshing. A world where a person’s predetermined fate is decided by the mysterious powers individuals gain by eating “Skill Fruits.” It’s an idea ripe with potential, blending adventure, risk, and mystique in equal measure, even if it sounds like it’s mixing the randomness of a gacha game with the “Devil’s Fruit” concept from “One Piece”. It sets up an intriguing system built on chance, ambition, and destiny. The first episode does a surprisingly good job of establishing its premise, introducing two leads, Light and Lena, as they take their first steps into adulthood by consuming their respective fruits: Lena becomes a prodigious Sword Saint while Light is left with the seemingly useless “Fruitmaster” skill. This contrast lays the groundwork for a compelling underdog narrative that most audiences can easily get behind. Within the very first episode, the story doesn’t really pick up until Light’s newly Adopted Companion Ayla makes a small blunder that changes both of their lives forever. From there, the world-building deepens, revealing the influence of the enigmatic Skill Council, the dangerous allure of consuming multiple fruits, and the Church’s hidden conspiracies beneath its polished façade. Each new fruit grants Light unpredictable abilities, adding suspense to the battles, which helps keep the action engaging without overstaying its welcome. Despite uneven pacing and occasional rough edges, the series finds genuine warmth in Light’s growing relationships with Lena and Ayla, whose sincerity and emotional depth bring humanity to the chaos. With Lena’s independence, Ayla’s earnestness, and the layered lore involving divine blessings and unseen evils yet it maintains a lighthearted and heartfelt tone, balancing humor, mystery, and moral tension while suggesting that these so-called “fruits of power” may carry far more weight than anyone realizes. Unfortunately, that’s where most of the praise ends, because Fruitmaster quickly stumbles over its own ideas. The story loses focus, tumbling into repetitive tropes, inconsistent pacing, and often questionable logic, with major conflicts and hinted-at plot threads resolved too quickly or abandoned entirely. The Holy Sister, while hinted at as a central antagonist, comes across as underwritten; her motives remain thin and raise more questions than answers, while other villains and plot twists are rushed or forgettable, leaving the Church’s schemes and the story’s deeper mythology frustratingly unresolved. And the 2nd half splits into two separate storylines that leave you to wonder where it will go next, where Light is on a quest for a new sword, while Lena goes on a solo investigation that takes up the 2nd half of the season that really isn’t about the titular Fruitmaster, but this large piece of lore that comes out of nowhere involving a prophecy about an ancestral war between fairies and demons. Action sequences, which should inject energy, often feel mechanical, and Light, though well-intentioned is frustratingly naive, his miraculous ability to consume unlimited Skill Fruits serving more as a narrative shortcut than a tool for tension or creativity As he simply has to only bite on one fruit at a time rather than taking multiple bites on the same fruit for whatever skill he gains. What begins as an intriguing exploration of luck, ambition, and morality devolves into a patchwork of clichés, predictable twists, and missed opportunities, leaving the world’s potential largely unrealized.In terms of visuals, it lands squarely in the “serviceable” category, offering flashes of style amid a largely generic fantasy presentation. The animation has brief moments of flair, particularly in spell effects, glowing fruits, and softly lit temples, but the fight choreography often feels stiff and uninspired. Character designs follow the familiar light novel formula of flashy armor and impractical outfits, though they remain expressive enough to carry some charm. What truly elevates the experience is the sound design: the upbeat, ear-catching opening theme stands out as one of the show’s most memorable features, complemented by a gentle, fitting ending theme and a background score that balances whimsy with tension. Even when the writing falters, the voice cast delivers their performances with sincerity and energy, adding much-needed heart to a series that, while visually uneven, retains a pleasant fantasy allure through its color palette and atmospheric world-building.Overall, Fruitmaster is a flawed yet oddly watchable fantasy series that teeters between potential and parody. It’s neither great nor terrible, just comfortably average, anchored by a creative premise, likable side characters, and the occasional burst of charm. The show offers moments of genuine fun through its colorful world-building, lighthearted humor, and a surprisingly strong supporting presence from characters like Lena, whose determination and warmth sometimes overshadow the titular protagonist himself. Unfortunately, uneven storytelling, clumsy pacing, and shallow execution keep it from reaching the heights its concept deserves. Still, for fans of low-stakes fantasy adventures or those who enjoy unintentionally funny escapism. The show delivers enough easygoing entertainment to make it worth a casual bite, even if it never quite ripens into something memorable. If Season 2 ever happens, I’d be happy to see what direction it goes next.