What a roller coaster this was. I was an emotional wreck going through the final 3rd of this anime and it was wonderful. The plot started as kind of a Battle Royale/Hunger Games type of thing, but quickly morphed into its own unique survival story. I was literally on the edge of my seat for this show. By the end, it was teetering at the top of the pain scale because every episode seemed to hurt worse than the last. I know it's hit or miss for a lot of people, but I really enjoyed the reveal and the ending. They foreshadowed early on by naming the time god Dues Ex Machina. You had to know it would be used as a plot device later on. In fact, a lot of times, I find this plot device to be contrived (as it's meant to be actually) but here, I felt strangely satisfied. It didn't cheapen it for me and I thought the finale was extremely emotional. My favorite episodes were 17 which painted a gorgeous backstory of two minor characters, and made them feel like they've been on the show since the beginning; and episode 22 because feelings (Akise is my favorite of the series). The diaries themselves were also interesting and unlike anything else I've seen. Overall, maybe there were a few plot holes towards the end, but the ride there was fulfilling and after I finished the show, I was left feeling like I watched something fresh, different, and amazing.
Technically this was a treat also. The visuals in both opening and closing numbers were gorgeous as were all 4 of the songs. I loved the themes in this. The action scenes, as well as the romance were beautiful and the empty world was cool. Deus was awesome looking as well. The score music in this one was lovely and I want the soundtrack if you can't tell since I'm basically regurgitating everything I've said over again. I also really enjoyed the voice acting. Yukki's voice actor was perfection.
The characters in this anime were another reason why I found it to be so successful. Each one had a personality and a reason behind their mayhem. Even minor ones like 12th and 8th had a distinct persona and it made you connect with them even if you didn't like them. I loved Mur Mur's little minisodes at the end of each episode because you didn't really get to know her during the actual show. The secondary characters (Akise, 9th, Nishijima, etc) were all some of my favorites, but the top of the top was definitely Yuno and Yukki. I loved Yuno, as evil and twisted as she was, she was an amazing yangere character. You felt love and hate towards her and you thought she was creepy, but wanted her to have her happy ending. It was just soooo good. And Yukki, through all his faults, his weaknesses and stupidity, I still loved him. He was nieve to the world, but I love when the characters have heart.
Overall, I would watch it again and I recommend it highly but beware of the violence. I watched the uncensored one and it is bloody, but I would venture to say that if you've seen something like Attack on Titan, you can probably handle this one. Out of all the anime I've watched so far, this is one of my favorites for sure. 9.5/10.
Watched Subbed.
