If you start the anime and begin to wonder "when does the action actually start?" My advice is to stick to the grind because you will be rewarded. The story itself has certain holes, some character development feels superficial at times. BUT... somehow this series still hits where it matters - the main protagonist's dynamic. The causality, the time travel and the worldlines are fascinating. Don't get me wrong. BUT... It's the fact that after spending an entire series watching characters manipulate timelines, paradoxes and causality, you eventually realize that what you're really watching is a story about how desperately people cling to one another when the universe gives them permission to lose everything. Okabe/Rintarou is also one of my favourite characters of all time, so... I guess there is some bias slipping in here.

El Psy Congroo.