Eden (ONA)

If there's a word to describe EDEN, that word is "Powerful." If you're a musician, this anime is like a power chord simple but impactful every time. If you enjoy watching movies, then it's like a romance cliché you already know what's coming, yet it excites you every time.

What truly makes this anime special is the emotional connection it creates between the viewer, EDEN's world, and its characters. This is the result of the immense passion that is clearly visible in every aspect of the production from the soundtrack to the animation, the story, the world-building, and the central message. You can just feel the ... passion behind it all. Despite its simplicity, EDEN delivers powerful messages to everyone watching.

The story is simple and sometimes predictable, yet it carries a powerful emotional message as well as an important question about humanity interfering with the natural flow of life and the purpose and place of robots and A.I. in our world. Don't expect many surprises rather, expect emotional depth.

Since this is a four-episode anime, there isn't much space for world-building. However, this is not an issue. Everything about the world feels very natural there's never a moment when we are suddenly introduced to a random location or monument that wasn't previously established. The flow is seamless. Additionally, the scenery is absolutely beautiful. The vast green fields and the absence of industrial elements truly reflect what EDEN is all about.

The characters are simple, yet they represent something that most viewers will resonate with. Right in the first episode, the show introduces us to the four main characters. Sara, the protagonist, represents us the viewers the good and hopeful side of humanity. Then, there are the "Father" and "Mother" robots. They represent… parents! Shocking, right? Though they are a very simplified depiction of parental figures, they still resonate with us, reminding us of those who care for us, as well as the past that should neither be forgotten nor ignored. The last main character is "Zero," the so-called "evil" robot. I won’t say much about him to avoid spoilers.

The animation is amazing. I understand that many people don't like the use of CGI in anime, especially when the entire show is made using it. However, I have to disagree with claims that this anime looks ugly or that the animation is awkward it isn’t. The animation is well-executed. To me, it's clear that EDEN was all about experimentation. I doubt it was created with the expectation of being a massive hit, which allowed for creative freedom. The animation reflects this experimental nature.

The soundtrack is simple yet, once again, powerful! In some moments, there isn’t much music playing, allowing the viewer to focus on the scene without distraction. However, during intense action sequences or emotional moments, the soundtrack plays its role perfectly, blending futuristic, almost cyberpunk-ish synths with a stunning orchestral score. This balance between industrial and organic, old and new, humans and robots, fits the show perfectly.

I have nothing negative to say about EDEN. I understand why some people don’t enjoy it, but I also believe that external factors led some to judge it too harshly. In my opinion, any time spent watching EDEN will not be wasted. I think I made this clear, but the emotional depth and the messages about humanity, nature, and technology are what truly make this anime special. Overall, my rating is 8/10.

"Eden" is a four-episode original net animation that premiered on Netflix in May 2021. The series is a collaboration between Nice Boat Animation, Wolf Smoke Studio, Qubic Pictures, and CGCG Studio. It is classified under the genres of fantasy, sci-fi, and slice of life, and is rated PG-13 for teens 13 or older.

The story of "Eden" is set in a world where humans have been extinct for several centuries, and the only inhabitants left are robots. The show follows two robots named E92 and A37, who discover a human baby girl in the midst of their routine duties. The two robots decide to take care ... of the baby and raise her in a world that knows nothing about humans.

The concept of "Eden" is intriguing, and the show does well in creating an imaginative and thought-provoking world. The animation is beautiful, with a mix of 2D and 3D animation that blends seamlessly together. The attention to detail in the world-building is impressive, with intricate designs of the robots and their surroundings.

However, despite its potential, "Eden" falls short in execution. The story lacks depth and feels like it's been rushed. The four-episode run time doesn't allow for enough development in the characters or their relationships. The show attempts to tackle themes of love, sacrifice, and the meaning of life, but they all feel underdeveloped and surface-level.

The pacing of the story is uneven, with some episodes feeling slow and others feeling rushed. The plot twists are predictable, and the ending feels unsatisfying and leaves several loose ends. The series could have benefitted from a longer run time, allowing for more development and exploration of the world and its characters.

One of the main criticisms of "Eden" is the use of English voice acting for the characters, which comes across as stiff and emotionless at times. The lip-syncing is also off, which can be distracting for viewers.

Despite its flaws, "Eden" does have its moments. The relationship between E92, A37, and the human baby is heartwarming, and the show's themes are relevant and thought-provoking. However, the rushed pacing, lack of character development, and unsatisfying ending make it difficult to fully recommend.

In conclusion, "Eden" is an imaginative and visually stunning show that falls short in its execution. The story lacks depth, the pacing is uneven, and the ending leaves several loose ends. The use of English voice acting and stiff animation also detract from the overall experience. While it has its moments, "Eden" may leave viewers feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed. I don't feel to bad about being kicked out of this garden of eden

This anime is really bad. The premise was interesting enough, but it really wasn't anything that I expected.

The animation is terrible. It looks like your average, dime-a-dozen daytime children's show with terrible computer graphics. Ordinarily, I could look past that, but the story wasn't very good either. It was overly emotional and way too preachy. It spent a lot of time falling into cliches and it was very predictable throughout the entire show.

The music wasn't bad. It was actually kind of pretty. And it was also only four episodes long, so it didn't waste too much of my life. Still, I'd only recommend this if ... you're some kind of anime completionist and you are attempting to watch all the things.