Some shows are missed out by the mainstream, due to timing, or some marketing factor. Such shows usually get a "cult following" which bring them into the limelight, albeit a very specific limelight which is still somewhat obscure. In fact, as we learn more about the world, the smallness of our own attention field becomes more apparent: we may think that we know bout the mainstream and the obscure, but we really know only a very little of the vastness of everything.
When it comes to anime, though, Chaos Head (who has time for all those exotic spelling alterations) is a rare case of a cult masterpiece without a cult. Yes, some people (such as me) love it, but, instead of putting it on a pedestal, it tends to be put in the shadow of its successor, the much more well known Steins Gate.
This is a bit of a shame, but also a bit to be expected. Whereas Steins Gate takes the viewer away from all plausible reality, into a realm of time travel and world lines, Chaos Head takes us into a mostly plausible perspective of the way "delusions" affect reality, and how technologies and techniques to manipulate the perceptions of others can lead to widespread delusions and other forms of Chaos, which starts in the Head of the promoter but can end up damaging others instead.
Or, it can be fatal to the host that initiated.
Nobody would accuse this anime about being political, but it is very much a satire of how ideologies such a politics, sports, religion, domination, and other mental distortions of reality can cause people to act irrationally... or, alternately, how the human spirit, and a harem of girls, can save the world of any strong individual, even if they happen to be a bit insane with the boredom of life.
On a higher level, it should inspire everyone to learn to write draw. Instead of just mumbling to people who are not there, you could make a commercial product about it, instead, and turn your delusions into money.
The last two episodes are worth re-watching almost daily as they contain the best reversal ever in any show that I have watched, although the significance of it seems to have been missed by even fans of the show.
Despite all of this high praise, I have to admit that hardly anyone will like this show, and those who do, will think of it as just a practice run that they team did before they went onto do Steins Gate.
Who cares about them, though? If you are one of the chosen who understand the power of thought control and internal, intentional, self-arising cohesion, then it is very re-assuring to know that, on some level, so also do successful artists who managed to get funding and create several franchises... so, have hope, be inspired, and keep on bringing your hopes into reality by various forms of effort.
Delusion, Illusion, or Ambition.... what makes the difference?
The Bad:
The last episode drags on a bit, and is quite depressing, in a way.
The Ugly:
Due to the age, budget, and lack of widespread interest, this anime looks worse than anything else the team did afterwards (e.g. Steins Gate, Robotics Notes). Also, the VNs are unlikely to see an official English release, and the franchise is thus practically dead, despite the potential for universal application.
