Sometimes it's easy to judge an anime's quality. Great story, great animation, great. But sometimes there's an anime that seems to be terrible and incredible simultaneously. So watchers pick a side and then continue to try and force on why they're right. Today, I'm giving my take on an anime like that - here's my review of Aku no Hana.
Plot Summary
Takao Kusaga is a blank slate, with his only defining characteristic being his love of a book by Charles Baudelaire called The Flowers of Evil. This all changes one day when he impulsively steals Naneko Saeki's, his crush's, gym clothes. He is then approached by a girl named Nakamura Sawa, who saw what he had done, and gives him a "contract" under the threat of revealing his sin to the school.
Story
Well, let's lather then shave, shall we? First off, this anime is disturbing, but not in the classically thought-of way. There is no gore or torture, it's more... psychologically disturbing. This really works towards it.
Also, there are a few absolutely brilliant moments. Ones that completely capture your attention and make you realize the terrible beauty of it all.
However, on the negative side, the pacing is terrible. At times characters will spend up to five minutes or more just... walking. While some of this makes sense, that you need a little bit of time to absorb what had just happened, five minutes is ridiculous.
7.4
Characters
This is where the anime gets to shine. The characters all have their different personalities, different thoughts, and different paths. They manage to be interesting all throughout the anime, especially in the case Nakamura Sawa. So many questions surround her that it's impossible ignore her.
8.8
Animation
The first thing you'll notice about this anime is their decision to rotoscope it. This works both towards them and against them. Because of it the movements are all fluid, and the realism in the character's movements as well as the backgrounds definitely add to the feel of the anime.
However, the animation is also... really simple to the point of being ugly. While it could be argued that this adds somewhat to the pure grittiness of the anime, the simple fact of the matter is ugly is ugly, and will more than likely be taking more away from the anime than it adds to it.
6.4
Music
The openings of this anime do something cool - there's four openings over the course of the anime, each taking a song put into the perspective of one of the three main characters, with the final one in the point of view from the three as a whole. However, the openings ultimately end up being merely passable.
The ending is... off. Odd. Not really a song, but still kind of is... and while it's initially completely creepy, it does grow on you over time. ...A lot of time.
As for the background tracks, I found them quite lackluster.
7.2
Overall
While this anime does have some major flaws, such as unattractive rotoscoping and terrible pacing, if you're willing to overlook those flaws you'll find a unique anime definitely worth your watch.
Half Moon
7.45
Recommendations
Ping Pong
If you're looking for something with great character development and unique animation, this is the one to pick.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
If you're looking for something more on the psychologically disturbing side, this should satisfy your tastes.
Other
Aku no Hana Season 2 confirmed. Hallelujah!
Seriously, though. Nakumura Sawa. I really love that character.
