It was certainly enjoyable, yet really the only downsides to it for me were the last episode, or should I say, last battle, and some missing plot devices that could have extended this show even further.
Let's get to it, then.
Story: 9
I shouldn't exactly say that there's a story to this show... it's more like, an ongoing conflict between two groups of people. One group is out to destroy the insects and create the fallen, while the other is out to save anyone who is a host to the insects. To find a place where they belong.
The "story" of this series focuses strongly on the relationships between characters and how they grow during the situation that they've been put into. So, there isn't exactly a main plot other than one of the character's goals that she is striving for. I guess you could say it's character driven?
The basis of this show is certainly unique and quite interesting. The way the characters deal with these insects is intriguing. And while it is interesting, it just could not bring itself to it's full potential.
There are some plot elements introduced that are just kind of... there. They're introduced and, that's really it. Nothing beyond them is explained or take action. Such as, the three main devourers. Only one is introduced and, what happens to her in the end is really hard to determine. Also, the ending comes along without telling us what happens to other characters, such as ones that have become fallen. Of course, the fates of the three main characters is shown but... no one else, really.
Other than the aspects that were left out of the story or left unexplained, I don't really have much else to complain about. It's a solid series, and it really pulls you in throughout the entire show, especially if you're a fan of romance and the relationships between characters. I'll explain what I mean by that in the character section.
Art: 7
I have to be fair, this series is from 2007 so it doesn't have the best quality animation out there. Though, I do have to say, the soft coloring and art of the series is very appealing and fits the mood extremely well. The action scenes were alright for the most part, and the last episode does contain some bad CG... that doesn't matter much since, there isn't too much action to begin with. It does it's job. The animation is nice and smooth, too. There just wasn't much impact to the action scenes.
Sound: 8
I won't say much about this, but I will state that I loved the soundtrack. Although I loved it, I gave it an 8 because it doesn't use a wide variety of songs. It uses a nice mix of violin, piano and even some saxophone, which usually I don't care for but it seemed to fit nicely in this series. I do love me some violin and piano though.
It certainly added to the emotion, though, as certain scenes felt more... magical, or enticing, because of the creative visuals and beautiful music.
Character: 8
If you've ever seen Darker than Black or even Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom then the main character may seem familiar to you. In Darker than Black, Hei is an assassin who works undercover, though during the day, he's a normal college student. Though over time, due to certain events, he begins to grow actual feelings. In Phantom, Zwei is a normal teenager forced into the ways of an assassin, but slowly begins to break away and gain emotions after the encounters he's had with certain people. Kakkou, or should I say, Daisuke, is extremely similar to both of these. The only difference is, he isn't really an assassin... though he does go out on missions, using his skills to take down insects. And during the day, he's a normal school boy. Over time, like the other two characters mentioned, he starts to change his ways and views on things after encounters with certain people. After experiencing a somewhat normal life. He begins... to care for others.
You can really notice how the characters grow in this series. Daisuke, Rina and Shiika, all change in some way or another. I only gave it an 8 because, well, they could have been developed even further and, at times their personality seemed sort of... bland. They're all experiencing some kind of depression, some kind of worry... though they're all determined. It's a nice cast of characters. Fairly small but, watching their relationships grow is certainly entertaining. Plus, don't you love shows where enemies (Rina is trying to save hosts while Daisuke takes them down) go to school together without knowing they are who they are, and end up getting close to one another? I won't say anymore. You'd have to see for yourself. It's really interesting, I swear!
Enjoyment: 9
I felt really attracted to this series... it had an overall... melancholic feeling to it, and I really enjoying characters like Daisuke and Rina. Other than the final battles which, I didn't really care for, this series kept me wanting more. I'm glad I found it... but I only wish that it was longer. Oh well...
Thank you for reading! Now, time for me to look through some of that soundtrack...
