Ranked #2974

Eternal Family

Eternal Family is an experimental anime about an experiment.

A "test-tube" family is formed using people who are the scraps of society--those who did not fit in or did not want to fit in. Their memories are obliterated and they live with one another as a family. Then they all are unwittingly part of what is the biggest reality TV show in Japan known as 'Eternal Family'.

What's the point of all this? Why, for entertainment, of course! People have grown so bored and reality television has become so twisted that, to boost their ratings, a TV giant decides to create the perfect family drama. The conflict arises when the members of this family escape from their capsule home and realise that things are not what they think. It is a pretty unusual story that is not exactly told in the most watchable of ways.

It was rather difficult to piece together the happenings of this anime, and so was trying to make sense of it half the time. But with a second viewing (or if you pay really good attention the first time), you'd see that Eternal Family actually has a very interesting story. Most of the plot also revolves around a toilet, which happens to make the anime just seem exceedingly strange, as well.

With the art, it mixes some of the ugliest character designs I've ever seen with some great art and animation. The quality is of this indie production is high, and you can see this from the detail in the drawings and the animation, but the style is not exactly the most attractive. One of the problems I had was that everything seemed to be a visual "mess". There were scenes that were outright chaotic, so if you're looking for neat and clean, then this isn't the type of art you'll like.

The music varies between techno to underground hip hop tracks and an assortment of background music. It kept up with the pace of the anime, so it does work in that aspect.

Everyone in this family seems to be an eccentric sociopath. I can find no other way to put it. But they sure are entertaining even if they are not exactly developed, and they do have personalities. Such as the goofy father who knows more about their situation that he lets the others know, the exasperated mother, the melodramatic and heartbroken eldest daughter, the violent sons, and the estranged younger daughter. They are all pretty loony and fun to watch, but are not exactly the most complex characters ever seen. Only the father seems to be more developed than the others.

If you do watch this, then be prepared for a wacky, zany, and totally unrealistic anime. If "out there" ideas don't work for you--such as talking babies, defying the laws of physics, flying chickens--then you won't enjoy this. However, it does have a very good story that's unique to anime, though it is reminiscent of real-life movies such as The Truman Show.

And by the end, an important question is actually raised about what is eternally more valuable to a person: money or family? You could watch and learn the answer that Eternal Family presents. read more

This is probably the worst animation I've ever seen. There is just no story whatsoever and what I'm assuming was intended humor is not funny whatsoever. The characters are interesting, I'll give it that much, and the production isn't bad overall. I just don't see how anyone in their sane mind would enjoy this. Note I said "sane," if you're a bit "light headed" then this would probably make for the best effing thing you've ever seen.

However, I wouldn't recommend that anyone waste their time watching this. Even if you're like me and trying to watch every single animation ever produced.

I like randomness, so just for the hell of it I'll go ahead and give the overall a 4 instead of the much deserved 3. read more