Just like its predecessor, Kakegurui Twin also adapted from a manga by the same name, written by the same author as the original Kakegurui series, Homura Kawamoto. Although Kakegurui Twin is said to be the prequel to the original Kakegurui, it is actually more like a spin-off. After all, rather than talking about Yumeko Jabami or Ryota Suzui, it tells the story of another iconic character in the series, Mary Saotome.

Kakegurui tells the story of that time when Mary Saotome first set foot at the Hyakkaou Private Academy. It showcases her struggle during her early years in the academy, the people that she considers friends and enemies, and her inevitable rise to power.

Since Kakegurui Twin comes from the same mind as the original Kakegurui, and the anime is also produced by the same studio, there are tons of similarities between the prequel and the original series. From the strange gambling games to the predominantly jazzy theme songs, the fans of the original Kakegurui can quickly notice the resemblance between the two series.

That being said, just the simple fact that the prequel featured a different main character immediately changed the whole dynamic of the story. Because you see, Yumeko Jabami from the original Kakegurui is extremely confident, smart, and highly addicted to gambling. Some might even say that she can only feel truly alive when she is in the middle of a high-stakes gamble.

Mary Saotome, on the other hand, is not like that. Sure, she may be as smart and as shrewd as Yumeko, but when she first came into the Hyakkaou Private Academy, she didn't enjoy gambling at all. After all, money is not something that comes easy to her family. The only reason why she can get into this elite school is that she is smart enough to get a full scholarship.

That is why when she suddenly finds herself having to gamble an absurd amount of money that she doesn’t have, she is shocked and stressed out. However, Mary is determined to be the best in this school, so even if she has to gamble her way to the top and is filled with anxiety and frustration all the time, she will do it. These distinct personalities between Yumeko and Mary are the reason why Kakegurui Twin has its own unique flavor that is different from the original.

More often than not, you have to watch the original series first, before venturing onto the sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. If you don’t, it’s highly likely that you won’t understand some of the important story elements.

That is not the case at all with Kakegurui Twin. This series can be enjoyed both as additional content to the original Kakegurui and also as a stand-alone series. That means whether you are an avid fan of Kakegurui, or you have never watched it before, you can still enjoy Kakegurui Twin.

To tell a stand-alone story while still presenting a strong connection to the main story is not an easy feat to achieve. And yet the author and the showrunners manage to do just that. That being said, if you have never watched the original Kakegurui before in your life, then we urge you to do so. It is that good.