'Elfen Lied': An Anime Review
By Sanskriti Dixit
“Anime is for kids.”
Well, thisreview is about to change the trajectory of your life :)
Elfen Lied , translating to “Elf song”, based on the manga of the same name by Lynn Okamoto, is an anime series of 2004 known for its graphic violence, nudity and mature themes.
The story follows Lucy, a young girl who possesses powerful telekinetic abilities and a pair of deadly invisible arms. After escaping from a research facility where she was held captive, she is taken in by a kind-hearted teen named Kouta and his sister. As Lucy struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and come to terms with her violent past, she is pursued by a group of government agents determined to capture her.
In a time when all hype was about anime like Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Elfen Lied joined the ranks of dark and violent anime like Berserk or X. But almost nineteen years since its first episode aired, Elfen Lied is, now, almost a joke with its character stripped to just “an anime with gore”.
Elfen Lied sports complex and multi-layered characters. Lucy, in particular, is a great example: a fascinating and tragic figure. Despite her terrifying powers and violent tendencies, she is a humane and terribly sympathetic character, haunted by her past abuse and abandonment. Kouta and Yuka stand in contrast to the series with their warmth and kindness.
The visuals in Elfen Lied are another plus. The animation is fluid, crisp, very detailed, and the art has a vivid color palette. The gore scenes are superbly executed and well timed and thus, never feel forced or unnecessary. The opening theme is a masterpiece: a hymn/opera like piece with beautiful lyrics (highly recommend listening to it).
That being said, Elfen Lied isn’t for everyone. The show’s explicit scenes and dark themes are not for children or for anyone who gets disturbed easily. Some viewers may find the series’ tonal shifts jarring or inconsistent.
In conclusion, Elfen Lied is a compelling and well-crafted anime series that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the viewers who can handle its mature content. It’s is mix of action, drama, horror, friendship and thriller and along with its memorable characters and strong visuals, it’s definitely a standout in the genre.
And if you think Anime is for kids, this anime holds the power to singlehandedly change your viewpoint.
“Anime is for kids.”
Well, this
The story follows Lucy, a young girl who possesses powerful telekinetic abilities and a pair of deadly invisible arms. After escaping from a research facility where she was held captive, she is taken in by a kind-hearted teen named Kouta and his sister. As Lucy struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and come to terms with her violent past, she is pursued by a group of government agents determined to capture her.
In a time when all hype was about anime like Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Elfen Lied joined the ranks of dark and violent anime like Berserk or X. But almost nineteen years since its first episode aired, Elfen Lied is, now, almost a joke with its character stripped to just “an anime with gore”.
Elfen Lied sports complex and multi-layered characters. Lucy, in particular, is a great example: a fascinating and tragic figure. Despite her terrifying powers and violent tendencies, she is a humane and terribly sympathetic character, haunted by her past abuse and abandonment. Kouta and Yuka stand in contrast to the series with their warmth and kindness.
The visuals in Elfen Lied are another plus. The animation is fluid, crisp, very detailed, and the art has a vivid color palette. The gore scenes are superbly executed and well timed and thus, never feel forced or unnecessary. The opening theme is a masterpiece: a hymn/opera like piece with beautiful lyrics (highly recommend listening to it).
That being said, Elfen Lied isn’t for everyone. The show’s explicit scenes and dark themes are not for children or for anyone who gets disturbed easily. Some viewers may find the series’ tonal shifts jarring or inconsistent.
In conclusion, Elfen Lied is a compelling and well-crafted anime series that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the viewers who can handle its mature content. It’s is mix of action, drama, horror, friendship and thriller and along with its memorable characters and strong visuals, it’s definitely a standout in the genre.
And if you think Anime is for kids, this anime holds the power to singlehandedly change your viewpoint.
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