~We are special, we are different... Why the world hate us so much. What have we done wrong? If I would ask you, would you be my friend, what answer would you give...~
Genre: Drama, psychological, horror
Age: 15+
Manga writer: Lynn Okamoto
Director and studio: Mamoru Kanbe
List of episodes: 13 + one extra (episode 10.5)
I finally am able to do this. A review of Elfen Lied. I waited quite long for it, but I wanted to finish watching it first, and I have just finished it today. I must say one thing... This totally blew my mind. The whole anime was just spectacular. It was quite incredible. Why was it like that? Well you will find in reading this review.
First thing as what always comes is the art, animations and drawings. Here, it has been always praised and for that it deserves a high place. I would say quite unique, but not actually. This is one of classic anime styles. But that just proves completely different of what mostly people would see. Because of that, they managed to master it, making this the art here look quite special in it's own way. Mostly you can see are the backgrounds which stand out, as well as other small details. Then come the characters itself. Their characteristics are special on their own way. Their expression, sadness, happiness, love, sorrow... Everything is shown so well that you can almost feel it. And all that is supported with some fluent and amazing animations. Each way of someone makes a movie, or a new victim get's killed, or even if there is a kiss scene, it is all shown and made in a very specific way, watching all the small details there. And after each event, all the pictures and scenes are shown in spectacular way. Even the effects (like showing the past events and moving through them) that follow behind it, are very well shown and makes the scene look even more dramatic.
Another part of the overall presentation is the sound, OST, voice acting and the effects that follow them of course. What to say about those? Well first what you will hear it the who anime is the Lilium theme song. It is the opening song of the anime, but actually it is also played in many parts of the anime itself with different versions of it. It is also something like a symbol between the two friends there (I don't want to tell much spoilers, you will see by watching the anime). It is a song sang in Latin and it has a deep meaning for anyone who can understand it and take by the heart. The closing song of the anime is quite opposite, it is more cheerful and more like a love song. Yet, it itself gives a good presentation behind what this anime is really about. The overall OST is not big, but it has many memorable tracks and each which describe the situation that characters or scenes are being held.
Voice acting is another strong part of this. You would think that some animes are that good that they get numerous dubs? Well that's true, this one get's as well. There is as always the original Japanese dub, which is in excellent quality with voices fitting characters just amazingly. And if you are really curious, you can as well try out German dub of the anime. Not much to it, as usual original dubs are better than those from other languages, but these ones are done actually quite good.
After the visuals, we come to the story itself. Right of the start I have to warn you that the story of this anime is quite complex and many of you may not understand it's inner meaning. This focuses on drama and psychological genre, with many horror elements just to give the better surrounding of the atmosphere there. Shown in metaphorical way, the story and happenings may chill you at some times, and at others it may even give you a small laugh. But this anime wasn't meant to be for that, instead the story is told in the way that we would understand it the best. It also combines retrospect, past and present, to give the better grip of the plot there. Everything builds up until the very end where all the emotions just explode and where the story ends. The beginning and the end are one of the best made in all animes that I have seen.
The only downside is that some elements may be too sudden and too confused, because of the lack of details that weren't released in anime, but were in manga. Other than that, this story will still awake your deep emotions.
At the end I want to talk about presentation itself. Yeah, this anime has something that mostly don't have. Many animes are emotional, warm, sad, but this one will leave you with a main question after you finish watching it. You will begin to understand some things, to even appreciate life more. To appreciate people around you, those that are different and pushed from the society. You will begin to understand that they are even more special. Much what we don't know is shown in this anime. Many of people bad habits are displayed as well. At first this may look like an anime just meant to be filled with violence, nudity and gore, but actually that's not true. It is meant to be different and to show the true message that it holds. The nudity itself is shown in a non fan-service way, yet more to be a part of the story. This anime also has many other bad society factors, like kid abuses, rapping, torturing, massacring, killing and so on... Be prepared for that, as this anime is not definitely for someone who can't take this stuff and who is young for this. But if you manage to overpass all that, you will understand the true jewel behind this unique and special anime...
Animations and drawings: 9/10 - classic showed on a whole different way
Sound (OST, voice acting) and effects: 9/10 - songs and memories from them that you will always remember
Story: 8/10 - Poorer than in manga, but still warm, emotional and full of understanding
Presentation: 10/10 - Some things that you only might find in this anime
Overall: 10/10 - I debated on which final mark to give, and while overall to you all it might not be this (because of the over usage of nudity, gore and violence), in my opinion I still think that it deserves the biggest mark, because this anime is one of those that you will always remember.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaV6eDvgiG4
The main opening song and one why this anime is famous for
Main cast of the female characters
