Elfen Lied

I was expecting a lot more from this show due to its high rating, and popularity, and the fact that it was recommended to me, however, there are a great many things I am picky about, and many of those peeves were things in this show. That being said this series is still worth a watch, it just wasn't up to par with the hype for me, so I will elaborate.

The first, most obvious, peeve is that the voice acting and animation quality on this just are not up to snuff. Even if you watch the japanese voices, the acting is terrible in comparison to ... everything else I watch (but then again I have not watched 1,000+ series' that some people on this site have). It kind of reminds me of watching a soap opera and how it seems mandatory to use inferior camera and sound recording equipment just so people can tell its a soap based on the filming and voices, content asside.

Second peeve: Samey death sequences.... I Loves me some gore, doesn't matter if its cruel like higurashi or ludicrous like hellsing ultimate, but in elfen lied everything is disembodied limbs that have been sheered clean off every time. I know vectors and blah blah blah, but the gore just wasn't interesting. I was promised supple blood bathing in this series, and everyone hyped up the gore, so I was pretty disappointed by that too.

Third peeve: forced nudity. Ok, so don't get me wrong, I love boobs, and love nudity, but the nudity in this show is like having your face get raped by it. Its like the 2nd twilight movie "I'll protect you *rip off shirt for no reason* -screaming fan girls want to rape wearwolf sexy abs-" It was painful to see the plot getting soiled by forced nudity, it wouldn't have bothered me at all if in some way it fit the mood or elevated the story. But in the case of this series I think it exists simply because it can.

There is one good thing about this series though, that pretty much has convinced me that this series could have been a 9-10 if it were re-made, and that is that the actual story has some good moments, and manages to grab hold of some actually decent plot hooks and pluck a few heart strings. If a studio were to remake this series and fix its weakness' which are all pretty superficial this anime would have the potential to rank up there with shows like TTGL (which isn't my fav, but i consider it upper echelon, its well made, and super popular).

On a side note, realistically I dont think the chances that this will happen are very good though. So I give elfen lied a 7 overall.

DOUBLE SIDE NOTE: the intro theme is freaking awesome! too bad I don't rate anime purely based on the intro music :(

This show seems to conjure up both love and hate from many people who watch anime. It seems that I am with the former as I was immediately hooked straight from the beginning.

While I do not want to ruin much of the plot, it is very good. Dicolonius are a what one would call a "evolved" form of human being that is cable of great feats. Not only do they possess great stamina they are able to use a power known as "Vectors" to manipulate the objects around them. These "vectors" are best described as arms that are able to grab onto things. Unlike normal ... arms, however, they extend very far (between 6-11 meters) and are capable of lifting heavy objects (like cars), or slicing through human flesh like salami. This is about as much as I can describe without spoiling too much.

The art is good but a bit dated. It is very graphic though, with much gore and nudity. If one could describe the goriness, think Hellsing OVA or Akira. The show could have done without so much nudity (the show is serious yet it is still trying to use fanservice...I appreciate it but too much saturation) but overall, the art is good.

The sound is amazing. The OP is sung in Latin and is reminiscent of a Gregorian Hymn (though it is a woman singing it). The OP alone is beautiful and I am glad that the show used the theme several times to emphasis certain plot points or events.

Most of the characters are likable but you may have already seen them in most other animes. The main character, Kouta, is the typical dude that is mostly normal but for some reason attracts women to him like moths to a light.

Yuka is his infatuated cousin who normally tries to get his attention every chance she gets. Nyuu is a seemingly innocent, pink haired girl that is very trusting and has a limited vocabulary. Nana and Mayu are two girls that are seemingly abandoned by their parental figures and are living a harsh life that no young girl should have to live.

In general, this description barely scratches the surface for these characters as each have their own, dark past and certain reasons for their motives. To reveal anymore would spoil everything so watch the show if you care to know more!

While the show is great, there are some parts that prevented this show from being a ten. One was the nudity. While I don't mind the nudity if it is for the sake of a scene (like a lab), the echii moments were unnecessary and distracted from the show at times. I also did not like how the show, as serious as it was, tried to disguise the fact that this show is a harem. (You know, lucky guy with a bunch of women in his place.)

This show is very dark though. It poses questions as to what is human and what is not. Is the death of an innocent being for the "greater good" really worth it? What of the ones who are guinea pigs, the ones who are "not" human yet are still capable of dreams, happiness, hope and love?

One being kills the other because it has the power to kill when in fact, both have the power to kill and destroy.

Overall, I really enjoyed watching the series. Episodes 5 and 13 were easily my favorites. It is a very moving series that will play with your emotions. My eyes watered in the last episode...for a series to do that to me is worthy of recognition.

While I recommend this anime, do keep in mind that it is not for everyone. I loved this series from start to finish, complete with an emotional roller coaster. For those not into this genre, it may not be for you and has disappointed its fair share of viewers.

Even so, this anime is amazing and an instant classic in my book. Watch it and decide for yourself. Just make sure to keep some tissue nearby just in case though!

First of all, I'd like to clarify that Elfen Lied is not the horror-violent-awful anime that you think. The story of the series is incredibly awesome, its really beautiful and touching, the bloody massacre scenes are just to complete the story. If you are afraid of watching it beacause the blood, deaths etc.. go on dear. You'll love it. I'ts the best drama anime I have ever seen in my life. And i'm happy I faced it.

Story: As I said, there's no anime story like that. Basically it's around the diclonius lucy and her traumatic past consequences. But the supporting characters arent left behind. Each ... of them have their function.

Art: The drawing style is really pretty and clean, though I dont like some details. The bloody scenes are really good illustrated and also the effects.

Character: I love all the characters basically >.< Each one of them have its own dramatic past, wich left a lot of trauma and sadness on their lifes. Each one is really well developed.

Enjoyment: Men, i'ts perfect! 100000000000 LOVE IT! I'm sure you wont be dissapointed!

Overall: Resuming.. this anime really deserves all its fame, cause its a life lesson to all of us; humans.

*sorry 4 bad english, i'm brazillian..*

Ohh Elfen Lied.. yet another one of the many, many, many animes out there that didn't add much of the story from the manga so ended up short. However! the amount of content (Mature) for those twelve episodes was well worth it. It had the perfect blend of genres for both an excellent drama and story! A bit of sci-fi and some thriller, some psychological and romance there were literally so many types that were well played out during the duration of the series. Like many of who have watched and enjoyed it, Elfen Lied is truly worthy for a second season buuuuuuuut it's ... been years since any news or updates has been heard soooo. :(

Over all I would recommend this anime and the manga too for mature audiences only! (as it was attended for ) There's so much mature content thing and dialogue that lots of youngsters wouldn't even begin to fathom. It's totally enjoyable.

Elfen Lied


Genres, Drama, Ecchi, Horror, SciFi, Super Power
Episodes:13+1 special episode(episode 10.5)
OP-Lilium
ED-Be Your Girl

WARNING: there is a lot of graphic, intense violence as well as a lot of nudity. Not for children.

...
Story-9/10-The story.. as the story progresses you really get to know the past of Kouta, Lucy/Nyuu, and Yuka... You start to see how their past all relate somehow and why they act the way they do in the present. There is a very nice romance/drama presented through out the series, backed up with occasional very brief moments of comedy and just enjoyment of the current setting/atmosphere... There is even a bonus episode 10.5 that is exactly half comedy and half drama. The story is a rollercoaster, taking you through moments filled with satisfaction and happiness, only to plunge you into dispair and grief, only to bring you back up for a few moments of relief and hope and then sinks you down again.

Sound-8/10-The music is one that is really hard to understand, at first the OP might seem a little too weird and depressing, and the ED a little to happy and unfit for the series.. in the end both really grows on you. The slow and mournful like OP introduces us very nicely and sets the mood for the horrible situations that Lucy had to endure, it really shows the pain and agony that she goes through. The ED is a very nice happyish song that just seems to happy for the series. but if you were to listen to the lyrics you would understand that the song is what Nyuu/Lucy's heart is crying out.... The ED ends each episode in a way as if to try to comfort the audience from the current situation, and to give a little hope to what the characters are going through. The soundtrack itself is very mixed, the majority of the songs being slow nervewreaking moments, and a couple pleasant relaxing songs.. each song is able to trigger a specific scene or two that was very memorable...

Characters-9/10-Each character, Kouta, Lucy/Nyuu, and Yuka are really well developed. We learn about the past of the three characters individually at first, and then at one point or another Lucy/Nyuu and Yuka's paths crosses Kouta, which brings the three together in a way at that, now once again they are reunited, except that Yuka never really knew what happend, and Kouta and Lucy/Nyuu don't remember. As the story progresses we learn more about their pasts, and their significance and then in the end everything is brought together for a fantastic reunion. Kouta who has amnesia doesn't remember the past because of a tragic incident, while Lucy has the split personality Nyuu. Lucy who has gone through the world and endured a lot of pain understands how cruel the world can be and Nyuu is the childlike side of Lucy, the carefree girl who is pure and free of violence and sin. The two sides contrast each other really nicely. Kouta loses his memory from one significant tragedy, while Lucy experienced all the discomfort and hate of life great or small before developing a slit personality. While Kouta's brian shuts off entirely after the tragedy, Lucy struggled to live and pursist, she eventually gave in, but not completely for she was able to maintain another personality, Nyuu. The other characters are also developed nicely as we learn about their pasts which then helps explain their supporting parts.

Animation-8/10-The way everything is shown is to die for....literally... While there seems to be a lot of violence and gore, it is there to make a point. Instead of subtly making the audience infer what Lucy/Nyuu is doing like most series, they blatantly present everything. Because of that we get a really good feeling of her anger and wrath, which then relates really well to her past as it is slowly uncovered and revealed. Another point is the ecchiness, again it could seem a little excess, but again it is there for a point. To show the innocence of Lucy/Nyuu's split personality. Nyuu with no idea of whats going on, and Lucy who is confident and anger driven, who knows about the darkness in humans... The combination of horror/violence and ecchiness is a really strange combination, but the series brings out the extreme of both to create a strong support for the entire theme and story of the series. The background scenes themselves are very beautiful. From the pretty Sakura trees by the road to the dark scenes of Lucy unleashing her misery. The scenes supports moments of the series very well.

Value/Enjoyment-10/10-I Really liked this anime.. despite watching the first episode.. deleting everything.. and then redownloading it a few months later. after i saw the first two episodes i was hooked and couldn't stop watching.. i liked it soo much I really wish there was a second season. For me, this series blended romance, action, drama, thriller, and comedy together perfectly. Every moment spent watching this series was pure bliss. This series had a perfect combination of music, animation, storyline, and characters, for if anything was missing, this series would not of been able to shine as brightly as it does.

Overall-94%

If you bother reading this, you must be confused about my ratings... Let me explain a little.

Elfen Lied was the first anime series I watched seriously. Ok, I must admit that I had gone through over 200 episodes of DBZ by then. However, Elfen Lied was the first anime I TOOK seriously. Maybe thats why it had such a huge effect on me in the first place. I mean HUGE effect (sorry about using caps... I'm not sure if this supports HTML). After I watched Elfen Lied I was dazed for a week. I was wondering: "How the hell can those mad Japanese make things ... like this?" I, a relatively grown man, was almost crying the whole time. Imagine if this was your first encounter with anime. Normal people start with Naruto or something.

Why tell you all that in stead of a normal objective review? I think that is an important part of this series. It makes you think. If it doesn't shake your world the least bit you can safely call yourself jaded - unless you're a 13-year-old kid. Then don't bother. First scenes include a disturbing massacre - done by a young girl. Basic stuff in Japanese pop culture though.

I won't spoil the series further. I want to recommend this to anyone old enough to think with their own brain. If you are that 13-year-old Naruto-fan: don't bother. You won't get anything out of this. If you are still interested in anime a few years from now, try it!

And now to the normal review:

The story worked through the whole series, it gets 10. Animation wasn't the best I've seen but it was more than sufficient. I loved those sounds! Theme and ending were both good (but oh-so-different). Some characters were a bit too animeish to really strike me. It made the experience imperfect. Curs'd be ye Japanese nerd-chum who want all characters the same! Enjoyment gets only 6. I guess it is possible to enjoy this as a masterpiece. I, however, wouldn't call it exactly enjoyable. Overall is 10. I don't give tens easily. Loved it!

That's all folks!

At the least, Elfen Lied is something unique. An anime with copious amounts of gore, nudity, and explicit content hitting the screen at every turn. The said content is shown in unapologetic fashion every single time, and this series is definitely not for everybody. Whether it's the blood or the boobies, I can see why Elfen Lied seems to be a pretty love it or hate it kind of anime.

For me, I wasn't turned away from the gore one bit. The nudity and other stuff I could do without and only one particular scene (I'll give a hint, dogs do it all the time) really ... came close to making me outright stop watching. Even then, the world of Elfen Lied and it's story unfolds in such a fashion that I had to stay with it, because it does a great job of keeping the viewer wondering what will happen next.

Story - 7/10

When it comes to plot, it builds very well but kind of fizzles and fails to go out with a bang. Things start off action packed to a point where I would find it difficult for anyone to not enjoy the first episode. After all, things are blowing up like the apocalypse and by things I mean people. The viewer isn't told anything and it all slowly unravels the world and characters which has been a successful formula in plenty of anime before. The main story around Lucy and anything involving her was the strong point of the show and I loved it. Lucy is a great character and if I could complain about anything involving her, it would be that she wasn't Lucy often enough.

There are some interesting sub-plots going on as well, but much of my problem with the story and show itself is the lack of resolution when it's over. The two interesting villains are left with very open ends, nothing really comes from Yuka and Mayu, and the very last moment of the show (which is an open end as well) would have had so much more impact if everything else was properly resolved. Just like how food should have a satisfying after taste, anime should as well. The satisfying ending was missing in favor of some poorly executed mystique, which ends up being the biggest drawback of the show.

Animation - 9/10

The character design is...saddening. Generic cannot even begin to describe a world where every female seems interchangeable. But the character design is really the only thing holding the animation back. Everything else is very vibrant and looks beautiful. The colors are marvelous and can be bright and vibrant or dark and haunting.

Sound - 8/10

The music is quite impressive and fits the tone of the anime very well. I love the opening theme and any time that signature tune plays it's very well timed. Though I feel the voice acting really dampers the overall score of sound here. Lucy, Bando, and Kurama are the highlights of the show but everyone else suffers from one flaw or another. Kouta sounds almost like he's brain dead at times. As for everyone else not mentioned, there are so many stereotypical soft female anime voices that sometimes I wondered if Minnie Mouse took the job to universally voice the girls of Elfen Lied. It gets to points where these soft-voiced girls just sound unrealistic and I couldn't take them seriously even during some crucial moments.

Characters - 6/10

Yuka is pathetic. The love story trying to happen between two cousins isn't even the problem here. It's just that she's so clearly not desired by Kouta that I see no reason for her to be spewing god awful hentai-inspired lines like "Kouta, do you want to touch my breasts?" She tries to make everything about herself and it happens way more often than it should. The biggest problem with this is Yuka's voice actress isn't bad, she's just saddled with horrific dialogue.

As said before, I love Lucy. Didn't get enough of her and her Nyu personality was an interesting plot device but Nyu was just happening way more than she should have been. I was getting flashbacks of Pokemon during most of the time Nyu was repeating her name like a mindless drone. I felt that she should have been talking much sooner. That flaw aside, Lucy was a character with depth that I was fascinated by, and the eventual telling of her backstory was such a poignant moment of enjoyment and sympathy.

I really liked the contrast of Nana's character to the way Diclonius are believed to be. She provides surprisingly interesting moments of the show. The stuff between Nana and Chief Kurama was pretty damn good. Their relationship (and Number 35's role in it all) really had me going right down to the final episode. I also enjoyed Bando as a villain, I thought he was one of the bigger shitbags I have seen in any anime. Lots of good stuff was coming from him, but unfortunately Bando gets pretty shafted by the time the show is over along with the only other villain, Chief Kakuzawa. Mayu was someone I didn't care for, and Kouta was a decent albeit uninteresting male lead.

Overall - 7/10

I said it was a love it or hate it anime, but I find myself very indifferent about Elfen Lied. I wanted to love it because it did have me glued to my seat going through episodes relentlessly, but it feels that for everything going great in Elfen Lied, there is something bogging it down. It adds up to a very good fundamental anime, but one that could have been much, much better and lacks a good pay-off when it's all over.

This anime is amazing. There is so much packed into these 13 episodes you wont know what hit you.

It is extremely violent and bloody. But that only adds to the interest about it. The characters develop a lot during the episodes. They get to know each other better and become more like a family.

All the while they are learning little by little about whats unfolding around them with their house guest Nyu.

The first 10 episodes are really about getting to know the characters and learning to love them and have feelings for them. The Final 3 episodes is where it all comes together. Everything makes ... sense and the story ends.

When I saw the end of this anime..I wasn't sure what to think...But it was actually the perfect ending. It could not have been done any better.

This anime is filled with plot twists and you enjoy them all.

This anime is for adults only. Because it is extremely EXTREMELY violent. I have not seen an anime so violent and gory. Not even Gantz matches to it. And it is filled with a lot of nudity, Full nudity practically every episode.

NOT FOR CHILDREN! Possibly not even for teens except 17up. Think NC-17 or NC-18 for that matter.

Elfen Lied has been one of my all-time favorite anime, and it still is at the top. The powerful music that accompanies the series has mesmerized me every single time. Everytime I watch each episode I never would've skipped the Intro, and that kept me clinging on the show. Although it wasn't actually intended to be viewed by all ages, putting the nudity and bloody scenes aside, there's more to Elfen Lied than meets the eye. Its story delves well as you progress through the total 13 episodes, only to be concluded in one or two episodes altogether. As a fan and someone who has ... viewed many animes in the past, I highly recommend Elfen Lied especially if you're okay with blood or violence, or nudidy for that matter. It's worth every dime and it will surely leave a sort of feeling that tags along after the finale. But whatever feeling that is, would be difficult to ascertain since many have different views on the conclusion. Nevertheless, Elfen Lied is truly an excellent work of art, a great tale of love and grief, and a fiction at its best.

Elfen Lied is by far one of my favorite anime series I have ever seen. This anime is very dark and gory and not meant for everyone. It is simply for an adult audience; although, many teens may enjoy this series as well. Anyone who is sensitive to extreme violence, animated pre-teen nudity, and animal cruelty will not think highly of this series. I enjoyed this anime because it articulates many of the sinister traits we see in human society, along with a clever love drama.

Story- Only one word &quot;Unique&quot;: The story is comparable to many Shakespearean tragedies, such as &quot;Othello&quot;, &quot;Romeo ... and Juliet&quot; and &quot;Julius Caesar&quot; because of the violence and also the fact it is not going to end happily. The story at first maybe overwhelming or confusing because a lot of the beginning dialog between Kohta and Yuka is mainly about the death of Kohta's father and sister eight years prior, but comes together very well in the end.

Animation- There was nothing very special about the animation, many animes use a similar style, but what stands out is the opening credit's artwork.

Sound- The sound is excellent. It sets the mood for every scene in the series, whether it is cheerful, sad or confrontational.

Character- For only a 13/14 episode series, the character development was top-notch. The characters are very human whether they are villains or not. Most of the main characters in the series have a story to tell about their life which sets the mood for the series.

Enjoyment- I enjoyed the series a lot but there were some parts I did not enjoy and had a hard time watching because of the extreme cruelty, but without it the series would not have had the same impact.

Overall- A Masterpiece. Elfen Lied's main theme centers on love and how it can bring out the good or evil in others. For a Sci-Fi, drama, horror, love story, this anime was put together solidly with the attempt to make the viewer question life or some of the things that happen to people in their lives. This is a serious and adult series containing many dark aspects of humanity, but at the same time attempts to point out the kindness that people display to others as well. I never know that an anime could be so intellectual and emotional at the same time. It is a most watch if you can stomach some of the scenes and I would also recommend this series to anyone who enjoys tragic love stories.

Whether you love it or hate it, you can&rsquo;t remain indifferent to Elfen Lied. It&rsquo;s a highly memorable anime, and a definite must-see.

It&rsquo;s only fair to warn you - it&rsquo;s not for the faint of heart. There&rsquo;s a lot of gore and blatant nudity, all displayed in the most casual matter. Still obviously fanservice, but they manage to pull it off without looking like they&rsquo;re trying too hard. The violence is mind-blowing, and being completely ripped apart limb-from-limb happens to be the most common cause for death. In short, they forgot how to censor. A bold move, and it had me really close to exiting ... my window within the first few minutes.

But I didn&rsquo;t, because then the plot kicked in. And it&rsquo;s one good plot. Highly original, predictable in some places, but still holding some great twists. It&rsquo;s a tight plot too, and the characters tie together quite well. Pacing is perfect.

Characters range from average to amazing, and from simply detestable to lovable. The writers do a great job of attracting your sympathy to the right places. Lucy seems almost justified in her murderous attacks. Her psychology and background are well-explored, and more than once you&rsquo;ll find yourself taking her side over the humans and their unfortunate cruelty.

The animation is alright. Music sets a decent mood. The OP is rather creative, although I admit I found myself skipping it a few times, but only because I wanted to get to the action. An instrumental version of &ldquo;Lilium&rdquo; is played as background music, and it gets stuck in your head. Good thing it&rsquo;s a beautiful tune. The ED sounds a bit out-of-place, being J-Pop, but it&rsquo;s still a good song. Voice acting is great.

I loved this show. It kept me on the edge of my seat, absently wondering who was going to die next and tensing whenever Lucy&rsquo;s eyes narrowed, yet hanging on to every word of the dialogue and the plot development. Elfen Lied is highly enjoyable, raises interesting psychological questions, and plays well on the viewer&rsquo;s emotions. A true masterpiece.

Experiments, action, intense emotional conflict between the characters are all in this series. This is by far one of my favorite action packed series, it really has all the emotional conflict, experimental theories out there that come forth to a day of reckoning the the end of mankind as we know it. The story was odd and confusing wrapping my mind around the whole story in the beginning, but the story is fast pacing and it covers everything quickly. The stories between the main characters are quickly answered in the series and leaves no question in the end which is a big plus. I really ... loved this anime and sure most will.

Well the story was very solid and experienced conflict and twists wisely in the anime which makes it a great story...9...

The art was very impressive, nothing spectacular but solid. will keep you entertained and won't leave your eyes weary. I warn if you don't like blood and gore don't watch this, it has alot of blood and gory scenes and right off the back, the first 5 min is nothing but fights and blood so be weary of it. I think it is needed and makes it more realistic....8..

The sound is one of its kind, I love the sound track and the tracks they use are GREAT. It won't leave you disappointied when watching!...10..

The character and character relationships are rich, a bit confusing and funny how people get so attached and jealous, but all is explained in flash backs how a strong bond is there. There is alot of suppressing memory loss where it comes in the anime little by little...10...

This is a very enjoyable anime, rich in context, visual aid and character bonds. I liked it alot and didn't leave me looking for anything that it didn't have....10..

Overall the score it rightfully earned in my books is a 9, it showed great relationship between the characters, live action, personal and emotional conflict, and mystery. This is a anime that everyone should have on your list to watch if you haven't seen!

I would have to say that this anime was indeed different from others I have seen. Not just because of the excessive nudity and blood but the storyline was overall engrossing. From the first scenes of seeing a peculiar young girl with a helmet ruthlessly ripping the arms and heads off of guards in a isolated science lab, I couldnt take my eyes off my computer screen.
Though I admit that the story sometimes seemed to drag on and not proceed forward with endless scenes of Nyu just sitting around naked while Kouta talks about his dead sister, you can look past this when things heat ... up when Nyu suddenly becomes Lucy.
I do reccommend this anime to anyone who is looking for something short, suspenseful, and psychologically thrilling.

Elfen Lied

Let me first note that this is my first review. I have now watched the anime twice and watching it for the second time brings out even more things than just watching it once. The bloodyness and nudity may hold you back from watching the anime, but here's what I think of it. First of all the nudity is nothing porn-like or sexually tinted. I think the nudity plays a very big role in the mindset that, I think, the person who designed the anime tried to put you in. The nudity plays a big role in the purity and vulnerability, contrasting exactly how ... strong the diclonius really are. And about the bloodyness, well yeah, it's bloody. But the bloodyness plays a role in the story as well. It's not 'just' bloody. The bloodyness shows the "lack" of empathy that the diclonius seem to have towards humans. The anime wouldn't be half as good as it is now if there was no nudity or blood if you ask me.

Storyline
It starts with the escape of a dangerous girl, which is more than just a girl, namely a diclonius. I use the term 'which' because that describes the girl better than the word 'who', for she is not human but a natural enemy of humans and has strong drifts to kill them without mercy. Well at least that's how humans see it, for they cannot know what it's like for them. Things turn out to be rather complicated than the way the humans look at it. The anime holds an underlying storyline, I think, that resembles very well the world that we are living in right now. And even though the anime is unrealistic in some points, it bears some details that every person could sympathize with and perhaps even recognize themselves in. It definetely plays with your emotions. It finds a perfect middle between giving too much information and a lack of information which keeps things excited throughout the whole anime.

Art
Most of the time the art was good. During the scary parts or the action parts the art strengthened the story. But on the other hand during the sad parts the art sometimes just didn't do it for me. It wasn't bad either, honestly, it's just a little thing that didn't work for me. It looked a little fake.

Sound
The melody "lilium" makes a perfect symbolical motive, with it's gloomy sounds. The silence also stengtens the tension.

Characters
The character design was overall okay. Some of the characters had interesting personalities, like Lucy, Nyu and Kouta. But I considered some of the characters to be rather "flat" characters, like Yuka.

Enjoyment
Well, this anime is enjoying in a different way than the more happily anime. Some things that made the anime enjoying are the excitement, romance and the underlaying lines that definetely triggers you to think about certain things in life.

Some words to descibe the anime are: mutations, power, killing instinct, love, guilt, being excluded/different, subservience, (sometimes) cuteness, innocence, protection/care.

Overall, I found this a very good anime and I would definetely recommend this. It is especially suitable for people who like psychological stories.

I hope my review was helpful, I definetely tried. I wish you fun watching the anime, if you decided to do so.

Being one for gory and violent Anime, this is one of the most violent and gory Animes I have seen. This Anime gives you the action and the storyline but also the romance and definitely pulls at your heart strings.

The main character Lucy/Nyu is very well done and I was hooked to the Anime from the first 5 minutes and found it very hard to tear myself away from it afterward. The hauntingly beautiful music also made this Anime what it is.

There is not a bit of this Anime that I did not enjoy, although in some part it may be slightly disturbing for ... some.

Elfen Lied is infamous for how bloody it is, and how much nudity there is. If you like those things, then you will certainly get a kick out of Elfen Lied, but those are not the main components that make this such an epic anime.

Elfen Lied, at its core, is a hugely tragic tale. As often happens in tragedies (especially anime tragedies), the characters are subjected to trial after trial, escalating in intensity and what the characters are put through. What this anime does so perfectly is that it walks that fine line between giving the viewer enough rope to hope that the character will ... turn out alright, or even if that's not an option that they will snatch some small victory out of the maelstrom of pain and suffering that they are living in. It seems like just at the moment when you are getting that rope (but before you would think to expect the rug getting pulled out) it is pulled away. I found myself, by the end, predicting the next gut-wrenching moment, and then getting completely taken by surprise by something outta left field.

While I do think it is only fair to warn viewers about the blood and tits, it is even more prescient to warn viewers about how incredibly sad it is...something that doesn't often accompany blood and tits.

I dislike giving 10's for most things. It implies perfection, something which nothing can really reach. I think Elfen Lied can be an exception to this rule of mine however.

First off, if you think Bleach and Naruto are the pinnacle of anime, then Elfen is not for you. If slice of life/school/mecha drama are your cups of tea, then you probably won't like Elfen Lied. If you are averse to copious blood or nudity, then, again Elfen Lied is not for you.

I was personally slightly put off by the first 4 or so episodes, and I can see why many people are put off from ... watching the rest. Excessive violence and gratutious nudity make for a strange welcome. But if you see past the violence and the flaws which the series has, Elfen Lied is truly a masterpiece in every sense of the word. From the chilling soundtrack to the crisp animation and pure shock factor, Elfen Lied excels. Everybody I know who has seen the series holds a certain part of the series close to their heart for their own reason.

No other series has taken my breath away more and no anime has made me shed a tear other than this. If you are open minded, intelligent and don't fall under the categories I mentioned, Elfen Lied will be an unforgettable experience from start to finish. I recommend, if you have the spare time, to treat the series as a film and watch it in one go.

EDIT: I watched the dubbed version, and to be frank, in comparison to something like Cowboy Bebop, the dub was lacking, especially with the character of Yuka. However, Lucy is perfect and the sometimes stilted acting seems to add authenticity and humanity to the series well.

this is by far one of the best anime i have ever seen. very violent with alot of nudity. one thing i like the most in this anime. is the way they use the violence and the nudity to tell a story and not just to shock the viewer. i have seen all 14 Ep's of this. and yes there is 14 not 13. there is a 10.5 that i haven't seen dubbed. so prepare for some reading. 10.5 puts a lot into the story even though it was marked OVA special. original video animation. its unnecessary to watch but its still worth a watch. ... all in all. i really enjoyed watching this.

Most of the time, before looking anything up, or watching anything, I’ll tell myself “What’s seen can’t be unseen” as a reminder. I thought about watching this anime numerous times but then I gave myself that reminder and then eventually flat out told myself “Do not watch it!” I did this because, well, I am 14 and this is an MA anime and it doesn’t take much to scare and scar me for life. I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that. Before watching Elfen Lied I had watched some Higurashi no Nako Koro ni clips. I was so disturbed by Higurashi. I couldn’t ... even watch one full episode so that’s what led me to thinking that watching Elfen Lied would be a bad choice. After several months of refusing to watch this show I gave in (obviously). And boy did it scare and scar me! But the odd thing is…I don’t regret watching it at all. In fact, I’m really grateful for seeing it.
When people hear about this they get stereo typical very quickly by thinking it’s perverted, sick, terrible and that the whole thing is going to be for immature twisted people who like to see people explode. And I really hate to say it, but that’s what I thought too before I watched it. After just five minutes of the first episode I realized how I couldn’t be more wrong. It made me wanna punch myself and everyone who thought the way I did. There’s so much more to Elfen Lied than people give credit for. This anime is incredibly moving and it really gets you thinking. Every moment in this is incredibly well done. I don’t remember a single moment that was poorly done or unnecessary.
There is so much story to this and that’s what a lot of horror shows or movies lack. In other horror shows and movies the writers will come up with some simple story line and put all the focus on the blood and gore, leaving out the character development, heartfelt moments, and basically everything else because the violence becomes the main focus. There is plenty of violence in this, but what I like about it is, it’s not just for the sake of getting to see someone be chopped up. There’s reason behind it and it’s done in a way that I can’t really describe but it’s nothing that I’ve seen before. And you actually have empathy what’s happening. It’s like it gets inside you and rankles your heart and messes with your mind which is what true horror is for me.
So in conclusion, if you’re one of those people that think this is going to be stupid and perverted YOU’RE WRONG! This is beautiful. I’m sure whoever’s reading this will think I’m crazy, but for people who have already seen the anime, I’m sure you know what I mean. Hope you liked the review :)

When put into perspective, Elfen Lied is an extremely psychotic anime.
It's short, but packs a godly powerful punch.
While being a symphony of violence and mature content,
the show is beautiful in the way that it reflects

~ desperation, fear, pity, hatred and betrayal. ~

Elfen Lied screams drama from start to finish, and not that there would be time for many in a 13 episode span, but there's never a dull moment. It's an extremely manipulative and captivating show, that torments the moral boundaries of ordinary viewers, and plays-off (by retaliating against) convention to deliver frequent and hard-hitting moments of utter disbelief.

The thought of someone that ... can kill you instantaneously through instinct should already be enough in a story's premise to make you shudder. Elfen Lied adds an inter-species war with a corrupt human race - revolving around the passionately and powerfully presented themes of misconception, discrimination, love and hatred. Armed with a surplus of devastating 50cal bullets and bombs galore, from its premise alone, Elfen Lied sets up on an epic scale to accurately reflect that nature of its formidably potent presentation.

Now if i were to be brutally technical, i'd say that the story line - while incredibly deep and tragic, is very one-dimensional. The art, particularly for the gore aspect was underwhelming. The characters are predictable, and with the exception of the 2 protagonists: severely under-developed...
And therefore, it's safe to say that Elfen Lied looks a lot better, when analysed the way that it unfolds - in an immediate scope.
Now while this is generally a limiting approach, it's a 13 episode series, and so if you're expecting a vivid epic, then you're bit of a-

Elfen Lied introduces its characters often indirectly and based on context, therefore allowing for plot-developing scenes to add to, and become imbued the the personalities of cast. This is one of the show's keys behind its borderline cruel, emotional rollocoaster approach.

The majority of its genius came out on the drawing board, as the entire series was clearly thought out very well - in order to emphasize it absurdity to capture the minds of its viewers, and prime itself for a deceivingly smooth "build up and break down" approach - that would end up shaking the very fabric of the anime community with its potent emotional aspects.
All of this had to be factored into a short time span, and by golly did it deliver - all things considered.

It's a story consisting of frequent and dramatic revelations, that are comparable in intensity to the show literally stabbing you multiple times - though with a more cynical mindset this may be seen to give of a desperate impression, Elfen Lied's stripped plot complexity and development aspects surprisingly allow for a much more carefully considered looking , and well paced rate of progression - therefore allowing it to evade the common mistake of short series': rushing.

The premise (as mentioned earlier) is what inducts that initial intensity, fear, and attachment values that persist throughout. Through the events that unfold, the viewers learn increasingly more on all fronts - the technicalities caused by the plot-shaping events serve to heighten the surreal-ness, the absurdity, and dramatic impact that the show thrives upon.

As a particularly dark themed series, the unfiltered presentation approach compliments the maturity and severity of the show very well. It is thanks to the brilliantly appropriate backing sound, passionate vocal acting, and decent animation that allows for Elfen Lied to continuously reinstate an appropriately dark, and suspenseful theme.

From a particularly critical viewpoint, Elfen Lied is nothing to jump and shout out about.
Considering my attempt at professionalism when it comes to reviews, i find it frustrating to praise the show so highly as a 9, despite the considerable holes in its way.
I must however submit to my true feelings, and perhaps the show has got me into a hypnotic state about the tragic story - as i would expect from its cruel presentation methods.

How are these often misconceived as "cheap" techniques any less relevant though from those developed over-time. What really matters to you when it comes to an anime?
Elfen Lied will surely put you into this state of struggle, as i can't even comprehend how the power that the story harnesses swayed my opinion to this extent.

If you're looking for something to hit you hard and fast... stop giggling...

(TL;DR)
Elfen Lied is a great way to present a really captivating depth, sense of emotion, deeper meaning and sense of genuine struggle to those even with a short attention span. Assuming that you're OK with violence and nudity, it's one NOT TO MISS OUT!

Watch it...