The episode gets things started right with heavily implied incestuous feelings. Thanks Japan. Surprisingly, the tension between the cousins ends up being the driving force of the episode, which isn't bad per se, but a little jarring for a show geared around action and violence. I'm warming up to Nyuu, even if she's just fanservice. And we finally get introduced to Lucy's major counterpart, which is... another naked catgirl. Thanks Japan.
Oh, and I'm going to keep a tally here. Just to prove a point. Won't count the pilot, since exposition there is expected.
Protagonist-remains-oblivious Episode Count:2
5/10
-- The Many Forms of Kobe: http://i39.tinypic.com/oqx98z.jpg -- credit to KIRBEH
For raw violence/gore there's Shigurui Death Frenzy.
Though if you're going to be watching Lain you should also watch its counterparts Texhnolyze and Haibane Renmei too. Though Haibane Renmei is more philosophical than dark.
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The only certain death in the universe is Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons. Not changing this line until I beat Seven Heroes (2/24/07)
Great fight scene between Lucy and Seven. I really, really loathe Lucy, and her "Nyuu Nyuu!" masquerade only makes it worse. Seven's probably the best character on the show so far... too bad about the ending. It's really great how nonchalantly the show can just throw visceral violence at you at any given moment. Quality stuff.
The biggest unresolved question so far for me is Lucy's motivation. What drives her to kill those who stand in her way? Does she want to simply escape? Reproduce? Further, how did she go back from Lucy to Nyuu after the fight? Was it involuntary, or does she now have the ability to switch at will? Hopefully, these questions are resolved soon!
And guess what hasn't changed?
Protagonist-remains-oblivious Episode Count:3
7/10
-- The Many Forms of Kobe: http://i39.tinypic.com/oqx98z.jpg -- credit to KIRBEH
hellsing ova is certainly violent, but it's not disturbing in the least. and somehow it manages to also not be dark in the slightest. it's so over the top that it's a visual treat and is awesome on style alone. though sure, there's a lot of blood. just nothing like the far more serious takings of disembodiment that most everything else does.
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The King Wang. Listen up Urinal Cake. I already have something that tells me if I'm too drunk when I pee on it: My friends. - Colbert.
What is it about fellow Axis of Evil cultures that gets the Japanese all hot and bothered? We've got a Latin song with a German title here, and I've seen tons of anime clips where German is quoted or recited by one of the characters. Is this some common phenomenon in anime I'm just not aware of? Either way, it's pretty neat.
Anyway, best way to describe this episode is "more of the same": more implied incest, more violence, and more main character remaining oblivious. What made this episode the best yet, however, was the development of Maya (surprisingly dark and disturbing, which was appreciated) and the plot development for Lucy.
Question: was Lucy impregnated, or was the dude killed before he got a chance? Show wasn't entirely clear, although I'm leaning towards impregnated.
Protagonist-remains-oblivious Episode Count:4
9/10
-- The Many Forms of Kobe: http://i39.tinypic.com/oqx98z.jpg -- credit to KIRBEH
Quick aside: the title theme for this anime is really ****ing good.
So much juicy stuff going on in this episode! Finally get some backstory on the Director. I'm gleaning from what little info we got that his child was born with characteristics of the Lucy species, yeah? Would explain why he killed his daughter.
The sexual tension between the two cousins finally reaches a conclusion, so I guess they're a thing now. Lucy doesn't like this, and almost pushes the protagonist into non-oblivious mode, but alas, it's fleeting. Apparently she knew the cousins as kids, though. Intrigue! And me oh my, does it warm my heart to see that Seven made it through alright.
Notable lack of violence, especially by this show's standards, but this was by far the best episode yet.
10/10
-- The Many Forms of Kobe: http://i39.tinypic.com/oqx98z.jpg -- credit to KIRBEH
Ultimately, I was satisfied at the direction the show took towards a story about loneliness and friendship. Each major character had a parallel arc of loneliness punctuated by tragedy, and all became sympathetic in the end. Definitely a few near-tear jerker moments, especially with the father/daughter dynamic towards the end. A couple loose ends, some intentional and some not; the major one being is the virus stopped, and is the big boss at the head of the company still planning to foster the Lucy species?
Overall, probably the worst full anime I've seen (and I've only seen a few), but still a solid B. Good stuff!
-- The Many Forms of Kobe: http://i39.tinypic.com/oqx98z.jpg -- credit to KIRBEH
elfen lied honestly is one of my personal favorites but i know it's quite flawed. guilty pleasure there. part to blame is Lilium (the OP).
think of the series as ending on the anime's end. it's much better than the manga's one. the loose ends are tied up there, but there is so, so much wrong in there.
go watch School Days next for something dark and disturbing. it's another short one. the other suggestions - like Lain - ain't bad. but do be prepared to sit bored for a while.
(avoid Texhnolyze for all that's good and just unless you desperately need a nap.)
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The King Wang. Listen up Urinal Cake. I already have something that tells me if I'm too drunk when I pee on it: My friends. - Colbert.
elfen lied honestly is one of my personal favorites but i know it's quite flawed. guilty pleasure there. part to blame is Lilium (the OP).
think of the series as ending on the anime's end. it's much better than the manga's one. the loose ends are tied up there, but there is so, so much wrong in there.
Is that right? I'll take your word on it. If there's one thing I've learned from LOST, it's that sometimes loose ends are better than bad resolutions!
And I did appreciate the short length of the series (if only because it was nice and digestible), so I'll consider School Days. Then again, I'm not sure how many people have seen / would be interested in reading impressions about that particular anime. Everybody seemed interested in Higurashi, but then I botched that one :O
So I guess we'll put this to a vote!
-- The Many Forms of Kobe: http://i39.tinypic.com/oqx98z.jpg -- credit to KIRBEH
school days starts... like a show you'd expect to be called school days. for 10 minutes. then it gets disturbing. and it's definitely dark.
i mean not every DARK DISTURBING AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY INTERESTING show has to be about murdering lolis or something. it's not really normal to any particular genre there with what was done because it was so.... normal for the most part. higurashi, lain, elfen lied, bokurano, etc all have a supernatural aspect to them. every day life isn't really done in that direction.
and don't read anything on the show. enough is spoiled with knowing the show's not what you'd first think a title called 'school days' is in the first place. it's a short one though, yes.
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The King Wang. Listen up Urinal Cake. I already have something that tells me if I'm too drunk when I pee on it: My friends. - Colbert.
the manga is literally so much better there's not even comparison between the two. however, the anime follows the original themes enough to the point where if you watch it first you'll ruin the manga for yourself by spoiling much of the ideas and concepts (even though a good deal of the stuff in the later half is changed quite a bit). it's not really a 'they changed it so now it sucks' situation, it's just that the manga is so much better you'd do yourself a disservice not to experience it first and fresh.
-- Destroying evil with friendship~ http://i.imgur.com/FbZFI.gif http://i.imgur.com/Vq8eV.gif http://i.imgur.com/mFtke.gif
Some people are just anime people. I read the manga too and didn't notice that huge a change besides the typical glossing over of details anime usually does until the tail end.