Story 9: This is essentially a Battle Royale with a very unique romance story.
Battle Royale angle: We’ve all seen versions of this before, where 8-12 people fight to the death to obtain a grand prize. The strength of Mirai Nikki’s plot is not about the originality of the premise but about the originality (and insanity) of the journey. There is an excellent mix of action, slashing, backstabbing, detective work, plot twists, and craziness. I was impressed by how clever this anime was which is a breath of fresh air. This isn’t a “horror” anime but there are a number of legitimately creepy moments.
Romance angle: Woven into the storyline is an odd-yet-touching romance between the two main characters which revolves around Yuno’s “Yandere”-style pursuit of Yukki (btw this is NOTHING like School Days). I really liked their dynamic as it stayed away from many of the anime-relationship clichés: tsundere female slowly warming up to an endlessly patient male lead, the classic high school love triangle, or super shy male flirts with super shy female for 23/24 episodes before finally making a move. No, no, no…not with Yuno/Yukki. Without giving anything away (as this is apparent from episode one), the primary romantic dilemma is really best summed up by this quote: “do you really love me or are you just insane?” That's for you to decide and the series keeps the audience oscillating back and forth from “poor, sweet, vulnerable Yuno” to “Ok Yuno stop…you’re scaring the shit out of me.”
When you put the whole story to together you get an exciting and captivating ride.
Characters 9: Best part of the series by far. The romantic aspect of the relationship is hilarious because of how crazy Yuno can be.
I went into Mirai Nikki with no warning or context. My first impression of Yuno when she met Yukii in the elevator was “oh sheesh, another one of these cute, cardboard harem girls who inexplicably falls in love with the outcast loner” i.e. Megan Fox in Transformers. Man was I wrong. Yuno is a DEEPLY flawed and psychotic female lead who just so happens to have many redeeming qualities...and an itty bitty crush on Yukii. Yuno could never be a harem girl simply because she would kill all the other competition...yay monogamy. I'll shut up about Yuno and let you judge for yourself but I'd just like to emphasize how substantive her character is. Unlike Ein from Phantom, who was pretty much an emotionally empty blank slate, Yuno knows what she wants...
Yukii was harder for me to like (maybe it’s a guy thing). There is no shortage of anime that start with a wimpy, insecure male protagonist but something about Yukii seems particularly pathetic and angsty. Maybe the beanie? Maybe the high-pitched voice? The nonstop CRYING! But… as he begins to develop as a character he becomes slightly more likeable. *sigh* It’s a long journey. Fortunately, even if Yukkii is a wussy at times, it just creates more space for Yuno’s personality to shine.
Side Characters: I really liked the way the way the other contestants were built up. Every one of them is unique, memorable and deadly in his/her own way. There were certain characters that had me laughing out loud. I also appreciate how the series devoted a number of flashbacks that explored the backgrounds of many of the side characters. If I had one complaint it's that I did find Yukki’s friends and his family to be a little boring. I would have liked them to have been more fleshed out and believable.
Art 9: I really liked the animation. I’m a complete layman when it comes to critiquing anime art but the animation seemed sharp and the color contrast was extremely striking to me. I especially liked the way the character’s eyes were drawn. It’s hard to describe but they would often add an extra iris for effect (creating terror and crazy eyes). It was perfect for me and something I don't remember seeing in other anime.
Sound: 9 I liked the first intro song much more than the second. This is purely a matter of personal preference. The only other part that annoyed me was just Yukkii’s high pitched voice. I really wish they could have cast a male lead an octave deeper. Once again this is just me being picky.
Enjoyment 9: I loved this anime. It’s exactly what I wanted to see, which was a bizarre romance with a lot of dark, twisted action and suspense.
Overall: Has everything I want in an anime
Misc:
Violence/gore: Lots of blood and collateral damage.
Love/Romance: atypical love story. Yukki/Yuno’s relationship is a big focus of the series.
Sex/Nudity: *sigh* Lots of undergarments, cleavage and panty shots. I actually wish they toned it down a bit. I found it weird that they are all supposed to be 14 but Yukki has the voice of a 12 year old and Yuno has the body of an 18 year old…Welcome to the confusing world anime…
