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Plot Synopsis

Coud Van Giruet, a sky-thief, stumbles upon a cute, dark, lonely girl named Reverie Metherlance and finds out that she is an Eden-raid, a weapon of sorts. (Or so we are led to believe...) Right from the beginning, a fight breaks out from the get go to obtain the power of Reverie Metherlance, otherwise known as the "Shichikouhouju." Coud is then left possession of Reverie, or Ren, and in the ensuing fight, reacts with her and creates an intimate bond that he will carry throughout the rest of this adventure. Treating Ren as if she was human, he alone remains the hero throughout the rest of series and gets help from an unlikely source: the trio (Rowen, Cisqua, and Kuea) from Arc Aile, an organization that protects Eden-raid while really isolating them. Attacks on our protagonists come from the Chaos Choir as well, and the plot twists and thickens. Throughout the series, Coud's strength and willpower are tested again and again as he strives to bring Ren to the Garden of Eden and encounters many obstacles along the way, physical and emotional. A very poignant and passionate series, Erementar Gerad will not disappoint the action/romance fan as Coud's and Ren's struggle to find their purpose in life highlights this anime series.

Story & Characters

Though, the storyline is your typical hero/heroine plot, with all that jazz in particular. The anime changes the general feel of the story, by introducing a spin-off of the religious/mythical place The Garden Of Eden and with that the introduction of the Eden/Sitting Raids. The last one, quite surprised me in the terms of the story at first, but later was ever more intriquing how they chose to incorporate that segment into the finale of the story.

The true beauty of this anime is in its morals. The first one is shown by the way the heroine chooses to fight "along side" the hero, in a sort of speak, by reacting with him. And, the rest of the truly beautiful morals within the story are spoilers, so I will try and refrain from speaking too much about them.

Though the type of story, the hero/heroine part, is rather cliqued and used often. By no means is this anime follow that rather dull and normal approach. It is niether a happy nor sob story, but rather a beautiful blend of the two, as needed by the circumstances at the time within the story. And, in this respect the writers and directors did a marvelous job of using everything at their disposal to make the viewer feel the power of the story. (I was completely enveloped in the story for the days following seeing it. Not an easy feat.)

The central conflict, cleverly hidden the story at first, doesn't quite show itself fully til the end. Which adds a certain element to the story that was quite hard to resist. (Don't we all love a good mystery.) But in the first 5 or so episodes, it seems to follow an RPG stlye, Coud going around with Reverie (Ren) trying to go towards a goal (doesn't sound too hard.), getting stronger and destroying opponents along the way. Then, it takes a turn for realities sake, showing all aspects of society (good, bad, and of course the ugly.) before allowing the characters to continue on their journey to find The Garden of Eden.

Rating

9 (very good)

Art

In all fair respect, the things that the characters go around in (being crafts, wepaons, clothes, etc.) are very reflective of their personalities and are quite original. Though, in the case of the Sitting Raids, they get quite repetitive and can't show very much variance. And for that matter, they kind of reflect a certain perverted-ness (not that it wasn't welcomed by the male audience.) in their deisgn.

The all so important, but entirely repititive Reaction scenes, are well drawn and distinctive for each set characters. And they vary between partners and between the Eden Raids and the Sitting Raids. And the after form React weapons were also extremely well done, as well as befitting to each set of characters fighting style and personalities.

Again, though, not the most beautifully drawn anime, it compliments itself with the proper balance of chibi/beautiful art in the run of the series. (26 Episodes) Though, they kinda used a few general themes over and over again. [Looks it's the enemies castle, it's dark, gothic and creepier than ---- and there are evil cohorts all over the place.] A little cliqued and old by the finale of the series, but I suppose that it's part of the mood in the anime to have it that way. (Especially within the Finale and The Garden of Eden.)

The directors seem to love crystals. As they named Reverie Metherlance (Ren), The Shichikouhouju, or The Seventh Jewel. (As far as my fansub source has stated this, if anyone shows me otherwise, I'll probably believe them.) And, for that matter, Ren's Reacted weapon form is a large crystal sword. Further more, the Garden of Eden is practically made of crystals. Then, the Erementar Gerads are crystals as well. (Both for the Eden Raids and the Sitting Raids.)

Rating

10 (excellent)

Sound

There is little more that can be said about the music, than "wow." The whole reason I got into this anime, was in fact, becuase i had watched the opening video to the anime on youtube. I was that taken by the music.

Opening Song- "Forever..." -Savage Genius
Ending Song- "Yakusoku"

These songs are absolutely beautifully done, and tell a certain part of the story. There can't be any better music for this series than the music they chose for it. As, it brings you up or it takes you down with the flow of the anime. And at the end, the final song (Everlasting Song), left me with this nice warm feeling. The music also befitted an anime with the genre description on animenewsnetwork of "Magical Girl". (I suppose, if that's what you want to call it. Though, it's no different than saying it's a fantasy anime.)

I could not have asked for a better casting, they matched the characters personalities very well, with a few exceptions (as in all anime, there will always be someone that you will not like how they played the character.)

Rating

10 (excellent)

Presentation

The presentation, a very smooth transition from aspects of the story, but also changes pace to fit the "mood of the moment." Which, is also a very nice touch.

The whole of the anime, is presented rather well. Leaving all the pieces in front of the viewer and allowing the reader to slowly piece together what will likely happen next. It's almost like a good mystery story, in it's use of that device.

Though the anime seems like a typical anime in the fact that it seems to have time skips, as I call them. It never really skips that much time. Taking place in the span of a few weeks (In the prospective of the characters.), a nice touch that really helped me.

Enjoyability, it's a hrad thing to ddescribe, but perhaps the conflicts at the end of the story were the most sticking and really made the anime enjoyable. (These aren't your average DBZ type fights, but instead the personal conflicts between the Eden Raids and the Humans. Most noteably, between Ren after the evil Eden Raids took control of her and were making her do things to harm Coud. Truly a beautiful moment, with one of the most Beautiful resolutions in that one yet.) The way they build atmosphere and how they bring it to an end, was perhaps the most enjoyable part.

The humor, is something that be seen/heard to be understood. There really isn't a way for me to tell you about it, you have to watch the anime to understand it.

Rating

10 (excellent)

Final Verdict

9.67 (excellent)

Reviewed by Hasaki-Keissi, 2y 12wk ago