Eden (ONA)

This review refers to the English dub.

I found the setting and story promising after the first episode. The CGI with cel-shading looked alright. It could’ve been a little better but at least it was far better than Ex-Arm.

Unfortunately, as cool as the visuals were along with the setting's concepts and some of the voice work, the story as a whole felt somewhat rushed and too quickly resolved. Making this a four-episode miniseries as opposed to a 10-12 episode series or 90 minute or longer movie might not have been very beneficial for this story’s setting. This was especially detrimental to the characters since by ... the end, they did not seem to be developed enough to identify sufficiently their most prominent traits or personalities (except for the main character).

In spite of these flaws, it was still a fun watch.

"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

Occasionally, it is nice to fill up a cup of water and slowly enjoy the lukewarm feeling run down. Eden proves that animation and story matter in a show just as flavor is desired in a drink.

Eden is a story that drives the cliché plot of "would the world be better without humans", which I wouldn't necessarily complain about... if it had anything else to go along with it. The story rides on the single piece of conflict introduced in episode 1 making it lack the x-factor needs to become interesting. The dialog is painfully generic to the point where I have a hard time ... liking any of the characters because of how 1-dimentional they are. And although the story takes place in a beautiful land cultivated by futuristic robots, the animation and set quality are... to be desired to say the least. It feels like the same engine RWBY season 1 ran on, but without any of the cool fight sequences.

However; there is a saving grace. The music is absolutely beautiful. There were moments in the show I got chills because the music was just that amazing. Kevin Penkin made the show for me. With 64 minutes of music to go with the show's run time of around 90 minutes, Eden feels more like a project to highlight the interesting designs and music more than anything.

Back to my point about Eden being water, the music and art is incredibly refreshing, even if everything else about Eden is bland. I wouldn't watch it if you are on the hunt for a masterpiece or even if you're trying to burn time. I'd say the best time to watch this is if you are tired and just want to take a quick break. 6/10