The Diclonius, a mutated homo sapien that is said to be selected by God and will eventually become the destruction of mankind, possesses two horns in their heads, and has a "sixth sense" which gives it telekinetic abilities. Due to this dangerous power, they have been captured and isolated in laboratories by the government. Lucy, a young and psychotic Diclonius, manages to break free of her confines and brutally murder most of the guards in the laboratory, only to get shot in the head as she makes her escape. She survives and manages to drift along to a beach, where two teenagers named Kouta and Yuka discovers her. Having lost her memories, she was named after the only thing that she can now say, "Nyuu," and the two allow her to stay at Kouta's home. However, it appears that the evil "Lucy" is not dead just yet...
Elfen Lied is a bad harem in disguise in my opinion. If you decide not to read my review, I hope you'd at least have read that last sentence.
Overview:
Some secret organization is containing this new race of people who have short horns on their head. One of these test
subjects escape and kills a lot of people. After a while, the escaped subject goes into super cute mode and lives with
this guy and his cousin. Meanwhile, the secret organization attempts to hunt down the runaway by sending really stupid
people over. Also, more girls move into the same house one by one like a harem. Serial killers and pedophiles can
rejoice because this show features lots of glorified and explicit violence along with lots of child nudity. To me, this
anime is so bad, it's offensive.
Story & Characters:
I admit, Elfen Lied had ultra high potential and easily could have been my favourite. The story premise opened doors for
heart-wrenching drama and action.But instead, the story writer stuffed Elfen Lied full of cliches. Most notably, the
characters are weak. The male lead is just like any other harem lead. He is nice, a bit indecisive, and even has the
memory loss syndrome. The female lead Nyu/Lucy isn't really cliched, but I found it highly difficult to feel even a
slightest bit of sympathy for her. Why? Because she has killed so many! All those security guards she killed, they had
families too you know. She often
doesn't kill with good, justifiable reasons. There was a scene where she was a being bullied. She then proceeded to
kill the bullies. Surely bullying is wrong, but killing is far far worse. Another despicable aspect of Nyu/Lucy is her
dual personailty. While her serious personality was perfectly fine, her cute side was clearly designed to suit the harem
aspect of this anime. Other characters are trash too. You have all too common super secret organization leader, you have
the female blood relative that likes the male lead just so there's a pinch of incest (a lot of anime have vague
incest in them), the violent military guy serves absolutely no purpose whatsoever, other than to add a few more moments
of gore, Mayu was just there to add to the girl count, Nana (Mayu too) were just there to please all the subconcious
pedophiles out there. Hell, even the secretaries in Elfen Lied suck. They are just pairs of breasts. The only character
that didn't totally suck was Kurama. His love and guilt for the daughter that he had lost made him interesting. EL
is clearly targeted at male audiences. Every friggin girl in this anime likes Kouta for some despicable reason. Girls
girls girls!! Who needs good plot?
What the was this show trying to be? If it was trying to be a drama, it failed miserably. All that cuteness and fan service totally ruined the drama. They even slipped in a little bit of slapstick comedy. There's an accidental breast grab somewhere in EL. If it tried to be funny, it certainly failed with all that violence and mature subject that make faces frown. If it tried to be a harem, it failed miserably in the romance department, and also for being so cliche. So what exactly is Elfen Lied? I don't know. It took a bunch of things that don't mix and glued them together. The harem elements fits seamlessly into the drama the same way Chris Rock fits seamlessly in a KKK meeting.
Rating:
Artwork: 7/10
I'm not a big fan of the new computer animation style. I've been watching anime since the 1990's and have
a preference for the "hand-drawn" style. But Elfen Lied does look pretty good for the most part. The only
thing I don't like about the artwork are the character designs, Kouta in particular. Most characters are a bit too
"glossy" and deep with their colours. For a show that tried to be serious, I thought the colour schemes
ruined the atmosphere. They are too bright. Bright colours are more suitable for light-hearted shows while darker
colours are more effective for setting a serious mood.
Animation: 7/10
I don't know why I see so many praises for animation. Animation refers to the fluidity of the animation. I find
it amazing how some people jumble artwork and animation together. Elfen Lied's animation clearly isn't
amazing, but nor is it bad. You might really like Lucy's face, but that's not animation, that's
character design (artwork). You might really like blood and gore, but seeing lots of it doesn't mean the animation
is good.
I find the animation for the violence is excessive and unrealistic. Sometimes, blood spill in a way it shouldn't. Admittedly, I think the action scenes are decently animated, but it got worse towards the end as they started to repeat a few scenes.
Rating:
Music is mostly a matter of preference. I didn't particularly like the music. But it was original to have a Latin song for an opening. Too many songs follow the cliche of mixing random (and often poorly pronounced) English words. But I don't think this song was suitable for the series. The song hinted at a very dramatic show, which is something I believe it's not.
But the ending song I thought was much more suitable since I consider EL to be a bad harem.
The script didn't really have any dramatic lines. It didn't give room for the actresses/actors to show their dramatic talent. But they did a fine job reading that boring script.
Rating:
For this review, I hate how sound and art take up 50% of the weighting combined since it only gives me 2 chances to lower the grade. Also, there are things worth mentioning that aren't described above.
Perhaps the most commonly talked about thing with EL is the violence and nudity. I can sense the psychological impact of mature subjects. Some fans must have thought: "OoooooOO, this is so violent. It's got to be good." And it's not just violence, it also has a lot of nudity and other mature subjects. None of them struck me as a good attempt in drama or plot. They struck me as fan service. Nyu being an idiot not understanding the importance of clothing for example. Even scenes of Mayu's past seemed like an excuse to please pedophiles with child nudity. Violence plus child nudity? It sounds to me like this show was targeted towards serial killers and pedophiles.
But all the violence and nudity can be linked back to modern culture. It's arguable that people are more interested in violence nowadays. If you take a closer look at Japanese social culture, you'll see that pedophilia is a much bigger problem in Japan, and grotesuqe movies are on the rise. Taking these into consideration, I say all the violence and nudity in EL are a form of fan service and nothing more. They are similar to how many harems use panty shots and other cliches to lure audiences.
I found EL to be shocking. And it's not because of the violence. It's not the crappiness of the show either. The shocking part is the fact that something like this is produced. Which implies that there's a fanbase of people who enjoy senseless violence and pointless nudity. Even more shockingly, it is well recieved by most fans. The sheer number of fans raving Elfen Lied as the best anime of 2004 is ridiculous. The flaws in this anime are so glaring that I don't know how so many people can be raving about it.
Rating:
4.0000 (below average)
Reviewed by bluecheese, Jan 18, 2006
Let me preface my remarks by noting that I have not watched Elfen Lied. You certainly feel strongly about this series, bluecheese, and it's good to see someone who doesn't enjoy an anime writing a review that does an excellent job of analyzing the anime to demonstrate its lack of quality.
I like how you divided the art section into two subcategories to be individually rated. Additional detail is always appreciated in a review.
All in all, a solid review.
I do have to hand it to you, bluecheese, at being great at english and having a well writen review but I think your missing a bit of the point. This anime doesn't fit any catagory because it is trying to describe life of most of the characters. I don't say this is my favorite all time, but it is worth a look. That the lives of all these characters is full of happy, twisted, perverted moments and because of that it makes you relate in a small way. Life is pretty messed up but don't give up or give in.
EDIT: If you saw the last episode you would have know Lucy was fighting a personal war to get back to Kohta to experience those few happy days of her life again. XP
well first of all i have to respect how well written and strong your review is even though it gos against one of my
favorite animes
i have to say that the flaws that u mostly pointed were main points in the series and are makes it unique
i think it should deserve atleast an 8, but hey that's just my opinion.
the art work is bright because there's alot of funny and happy moment in there.
why should they make lucy kill with justified reason? she felt betrayed and was half crazy with evil voices in her head.
normally people like that don't kill for a good reason.
the soldier doesn't need to be in there since he doesn't play a major role, but if he's not there then
nyu wouldn't turn into lucy when they found her and the story would've been different. i don't mind him
being in there. it's funny when the girl pull out his phone number when he was beating her. in pretty much every
anime and movie there are charactor that you can just take out and it won't affect the story.
the series doesn't need to be catagorize into specific geners to be good, elfen lied has a bit of everything.
the series make people want to see more after every episode
Wow, you really slammed that one well. While I did have fun watching that series all at once with my cousins as a break from watching kenshin, I can agree to your points. I hardly ever see a score that low so I decided to check this review out, I was expecting something good and you really delivered. Nice work.
Although I would have to disagree with your review overall, I would have to applaud you on some well presented arguements for your decision. I've been into anime so long and have seen so many things that at this point extreme violence, nudity or taboo subjects overall don't even phase me. I just see them as something that either contributes to the story as a whole or is used as a cheap gimick to bring in viewers. You may consider the uses of such things 'excessive' in Elfen Lied which is understandable. I thought that it was an overall good series but it lacked those things that kept it from achieiving greatness like a better plot development, simplification of said plot and a fulfilling ending. Again whilst I disagree I too would have to say well written review.
Giving the plot just 2 points out of ten is a very subjective decision. Even if you didn't like the story it was quite complex though and well written with some interesting past stories and a strong character plot. The music cannot be rated by personal preference either. If you'd have listened carefullly to the background tracks (not just the OP and ED) you would have noticed that it has a full repertoire of horror and drama music with a lot strings and bass.
And now some personal opinion: I don't consider Elfen Lied being a harem anime. They do live all together in that house but it doesn't feature that bento-making stuff. And Elfen Lied was dramatic - especially at the final. It seems like you didn't really watch the show or just two episodes.
I'm not telling you what to think about this show, but I would be careful about making statements saying that "only serial killers and pedophiles like this show", especially when you also state in your review that the fanbase of Elfen Lied is very large and that nearly everyone raves about it. Personal attacks are usually frowned upon in reviews. Insult the anime if you feel you need to, but don't insult the audience.
Wow, your review might have held water if you hadn't included the "Aimed toward pedophiles and serial killers" remark. That, my fellow MTer, classifies you under the same category of all other EL haters. The people who fail to see the more subtle aspects of the show, the contrasting genre clashing against each other, the emotions and atmosphere linking and generally other things that people who like EL enjoy it for.
Seriously, your entire review, itself, was a cliche response to Elfen Lied. I've lost count of the number of times people like you bitched about the violence and underage content in Elfen Lied. I agree to disagree with you, after all, to each their own. However, I suggest that you read other peoples reviews and see why they like it so much. There's a lot more to EL than the harem show you (and others) claim it to be.
Finally, I also think bitching about cliches and originalities is overdone now. Nowadays, every anime, has SOME plot device. If you were to complain about Elfen Lied having cliche elements, then you'll probably end up doing the same with other titles as well.
I entirely respect your opinion, but sadley in rejection, I'm afraid your review is ruined by baised statements. Like Harakiri said, your score on the story/plot is based on subjectiveness rather looking at the objective point of the show that consist's of complexity. For example, your comment on why Lucy kills. A conclusion to her character cannot be smacked down so easily, and from there, your missing the point why the diclonius are controverisal characters. There actions and motivations take some time to decrypt. It's up to you to try and figure it's deep pyschological meaning.
Animation can be considered personal prefrence as I don't care much about orignality rather looking for well detailed vivid clear CG and Elfen Lied delivers just that, very much unlike most animations produced to date, that it only comes close to newer produced animes like AIR.
Yes we know that music is also a matter of prefrence but Lilium is the heart of the show that both Lucy and Kouta share. Refer to the music box. You may have also didn't bothered about looking at the lyrics and what connection it has between the series and the song itself.
For your presentation. Define fanservice. Ask yourself a million times over. Why does Elfen Lied get such high phrase when others that follow the same explict concept such as Genocyber, Apycolopse Zero, Fist of the North Star, Gantz, Ninja Resurrection, Angel Cop, or M.D. Geist left in the dust when it comes to violence, most of these animes fail at bringing the viewers attention and only a handfull of other quailty violent animes such as Berserk and Kenshin Trust/Betrayel succeed. Elfen Lied is not trying to be one specific genre. Instead, it combines everything with twists between whats good and whats evil. In the show itself, sometimes neither word applies. Yes, we have diffrent audiences that love it for the blood and gore, but we also have others that despises both that would be sick to there stomach but enjoyed it because of its Art, Plot, Music, and presentation.
Very sorry, but your review is very faulty, have you come a little softer and unbasied with the same score, I would applaud you but the fact that you questioned about other peoples taste (And your not the only one to say we have bad taste considering that I have seen many others comment about how much we love it) does not come clean and sit well with me or any others that are a fan of the show.
wooo
finally a bad review for a par if not subpar looking show that everyone likes
i agree with you
i have not seen the show, nor do i need to
senseless violence and nudity just brings potentially good shows down
people who have never seen the show have no right to say it contain senseless violence
One there is a plot. If you didnt get the next step of human evolution theme please watch it again. There is even a plot twist in the middle of the show.
Violence and brutality is always there even in real life. More else if you were imprison for many years. Of course you will show some violence once you got out. Violence plus child nudity is to show how bad humanity have become and the next step of evolution is needed to solve this problem. It is in the theme of the show.
Anyway, I respect your review, to each of his own. If you hate violence and nudity so much, dont watch it . Dont bash the show.
I honestly think u need to watch this anime again. Your review sounded more like a rant on common "cliche" harem animes. I think it was ur hatred for common "cliche" harem animes that more then likely blinded u from discovering any plot or intelligence in this anime. This is a highly biased review. I implore you to watch this anime in an unbiased manner and WRITE an unbiased review.
screenlooker : Are you serious? That's one of the most jaded, and quite bluntly, retarded things I've read. Considering the reviewer had little to no idea what the hell Elfen Lied really is about, I would recommend watching it before calling it "senseless" anything.
bluecheese - Your review was well-written, and while I can understand that this anime isn't for everyone, I think you missed the entire point. I won't go in to it much because it wouldn't serve my cause well to do so, but I look at this anime as a work of art, not all art is perfect, and that is what makes art great. You really have to be mature to appreciate this anime. Even if you don't like the story, or plot, or characters, the animation and artwork were superb for an anime, I don't see why you saw past that. I enjoyed seeing each side of each character, it really puts in perspective human behavior.
Anyways, if it were me I'd give this anime a 9/10. It's not perfect, but it's great for what it is.
To be mature, now taht's the qeustion.
As a writter (one of my jobs) I think you pointed directly into it's weak point.
Some of my friends are otaku and most of them liked this anime and when I watched I ended thinking the same as you.
I don't know if that rating is fair, bit it's not a good story at all.
By the way, for an anime, the animation and characters does still in the average. I don't think it's that
great, but it ends as a poor story. I really mean that.
While I have to give you props for a very well written and very thought out review, I have to totally disagree with you on your opinion of Elfen Lied and its characters. I love Lucy/Nyu! I hope that someday you come to change your mind and give it a second chance! :-D
another guy who don't appreciate the nice series , i think you have to dedicate time to others thing , i hate this people :baka,baka,baka ,
This anime is the best I've ever seen...
I have to diasagree with your opinion. I found the anime an eye-opener. A personal favourite to me
I have not yet seen the series but from your review it actually sounds like a very interesting story to me! thats just me, though ^^ I have seen the artwork for it and I love it. I think it is really cute :)
After having already watched the anime and reading the manga myself. In my opinion, i would given this atleast an 7 or 8. Yes, there are flaws in it, but that doesn't stop it from being a strange unique anime you don't often see. With all do respect, your review was reasonable until your statement saying that the show is aimed towards " pedophiles and serial killer ". That remark, is an insult to the audience. To put it into perspective. Your review is totally biased. It sounds like you despise everyone who watches it. If you still don't understand why people like the show. I suggest you should read everyone else's review on why it was phrased highly. As for those of you who have not yet watched the show. Don't judge the book by it's cover. Meaning, watch it first before you speak.
Quote by ShaddooThis anime is the best I've ever seen...
Sure is mate :D sure is......i think that too..
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