Anime Review: Elfen Lied

Warning: This Anime is for Mature viewers only ( 18 + ). And because the anime is 18 +....my review is for Mature readers only.

Elfen Lied. An anime that the minute the introduction song is over you are thrown into a room. An image of an arm attached to nothing with blood pouring out over the floor enters your vision.

And that's only one second into the first episode.....

The story follows a girl named Lucy, who apparently is a killer. Only, the way she kills isn't by human methods. She can can snap the head clean off bodies, decapitate limbs, and rip through flesh all without physically touching anyone. But inside of Lucy there's another girl who appears when Lucy sleeps. And she is the epitome of innocence and posses the mind of a child and that girl is found on a beach by two college age cousins by the names of Kouta and Yuka. And because of ability to only say the word " Nyu" that becomes her name. So, they take her in knowing nothing of Lucy, throwing them head first into a world of non-humans ( aka Diclonius ) , secrets, and lost memories. But that doesn't even cover half of it. Elfen Lied has a subtle beauty through the blood and violence that enters the extremes of human cruelty and kindness. As the story moves forward from the first episode not only are you pushed through a whirlwind of raw emotion and pain but you also come face to face with human sins that are often seen by others through a glass surface. From the torture and murder of those like Lucy ( the diclonius ), to animal cruelty, and even the reality of child molestation. Which everything is addressed not only in obvious ways but also through subtle use of metaphor and scenery. The more you watch the more you can't help but apply it to the world we live in and as I watched I couldn't help but get sadden by the fact that humanity can be that cruel. But at the same time it can be just as kind which is expressed by the character of Kouta. A character who because of his own tragic past reached out to those like Nyu who seem to have no place to go and offers them a home which he does not only with Nyu but two other girls. One of who he helps escape her horrible home life without even asking questions and all he asks in return is for her to just help around the house. Also the fact that he is nothing but kind to Nyu even despite her obvious difference to himself ( i.e. the horns on her head ) and by putting himself in danger to help the people he has no connections with. And the girls he takes in not only does he give them a home put he also gives them a life outside of their pain. And when you find out the exact circumstances of his past it makes you really feel for him. I would mention the character of Yuka..who is rather kind as well but honestly, I found her rather annoying so we'll skip over her. The whole anime is such a contrast of evil and innocence that's as touching as it is terrifying. And almost every character had such a devastatingly tragic past that it just tugs at your heart strings.

However, this anime is not for the faint of heart. It contains so much blood and carnage that even the most gore-happy horror fans' jaws will drop at the excess of it. With the vivid sounds of bones snapping and blood splatter I started to get rather queasy at the sight and sound of it.. And when you consider that, the excess nudity, and cursing this anime is a definite no go for children. I really wouldn't watch it if you are under the age of 18. I mean I would never let my 15 year-old cousin watch it and she's already seen tons of R rated gore horror films just because it's that intense. Also the relationship between Yuka and Kouta is worth mentioning because although they are cousins there is a bit of a romantic relationship that develops between the two of them. Now, I've heard that, that is fine over in Japan. But despite that some people still might be aghast over it. But I just think, that it's really just anime and it makes it easy to ignore.

Overall, Elfen Lied is a very dark and possibly psycologically scarring for those not mature enough to handle it. And through the 13 episodes, it takes you through such a rollercoaster ride of death, hope, despair, love, heartache, happiness, loneliness, confusion, rage, and utter devastation that it just might bring some to tears. With a way that's so hauntingly twisted that you'll be thinking about it long after it's over. But the question is..Would I recommend it? And although, I have a lot of mixed feelings about it. I'd say...Yeah, for those who can handle it. I would.

Side Note(s): Below is the link for the trailer for Elfen Lied. And this review is based on the English Dubbing of Elfen Lied. Also I've heard there's a 30 min. OVA to this series too but I'm not certain. Also sry, for any spelling or grammar errors. I can never seem to catch them all.

Elfen Lied Trailer