Jan 5, 2016
Just for the record, I would be giving this a 10 overall if I weren't actually trying to be somewhat serious about this review.
Diabolik Lovers: Haunted Dark Bridal was originally a visual novel, and this was the third in a string of otome-games-turned-animes I watched. It was the worst out of the 3, but it's my favorite. I can't exactly tell you why, since it very clearly violates any and all standards of morality and decency and storytelling I have, but midway through the first episode, I pointed at Laito and said "That one is my favorite" and things haven't been the same since.
The brunt
...
of the "story" is actually told in the last handful of episodes, which is where I'd judge the anime most harshly. Having only 15 minute episodes to begin with, that isn't a lot of story-time. And I guess the miraculous thing is that it does, in fact, manage to wrap the story up in that itty bitty timeframe. It ends. But it never had much to say in the first place, and that's because the storyline of the game itself is so scattered between the characters. Because if its distinct lack of substance, I feel like it's almost unfair to give it a "good" or "bad" judgement. It just exists.
The reason I've stuck by this series so stubbornly for over a year is because of the characters. I know the characters are the reason a lot of people are turned off, and I understand that, too. I don't really like saying that I'll defend Laito Sakamaki's integrity as a character with my dying breath, because that makes me completely insane, but I won't retract the statement either. But I've done a lot of outside research on each of the Sakamakis and have a fairly thorough understanding of their backgrounds and why they are they way they are, and that stuff is what's interesting to me. The anime, however, doesn't reeaaaally cover that. I think there's just one, MAYBE two, episodes where you get a peek into the past, but that's all. If you're trying to glean an understanding on the Sakamakis from the anime alone, you'll miss a lot of information because a lot of it is inferred rather than explained.
I also like Yui Komori. I think she's kind of adorable and sweet and amusing, and I also see her at least 65% through Laito's eyes, so whatever it is that he thinks of her, I think of her, too. I will also concede that Yui is pretty pathetic and not at all equipped to deal with her situation properly, but I think she does the best she can within her meager physical and mental limitations. Yui Komori is essentially a small, blonde vehicle built to take you on a guided tour of the other characters. As a visual novel protagonist, she's flexible, which makes her almost easier to ignore, which in turn places the focus more on the Sakamakis. I won't say Yui is a phenomenal character, because she's not, but she serves her purpose. Neeee, Bitch-chan~?
Diabolik Lovers amuses me. I think I've watched it 4 or 5 times now. If it had some sort of legitimate point to make, it would've been longer and had more plot substance. If blatant misogyny and sadism rubs you the wrong way, I wouldn't waste time on it. If weak female characters who trip a lot annoy you, I wouldn't watch it either. But if you like Japanese voice actors making funny sucking noises into a microphone, 10/10 would recommend. DiaLovers has a special place in my heart for managing to put me simultaneously in abject horror and hysterics the first time I watched it. I like to think I've given all of the Sakamakis' characters pretty hard punches and my knuckles are bruised, because they're all pretty solid characters.
But you shouldn't trust anything I have to say about this, because I sometimes refer to Laito as "I" on accident, so I've either become way too analytical for my own good or I've lost my mind.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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