No. 6 was the first anime I ever watched, and initially, I loved it. However, after reading the manga and novel, it was disappointing when I rewatched it.
***SOME SPOILERS***
*Story
I love the story of No. 6. In the manga and novel, it's absolutely fantastic. However, in the anime, it's rushed, and it becomes hard to understand near the end. Elyrius, who is a key part of the story, is not even explained. Nezumi's past is skimmed over, more or less, and the only significance it seems to serve is to fuel his hatred of No. 6. In the manga and novel, it is much more than that, and overall it makes the story make much more sense. I'd give the story in the manga and novel an unwavering ten, but in the anime the potential is wasted because it wasn't possible to fit everything into a mere eleven episodes. It also didn't really portray how utterly horrible No. 6 really was- however, Shion's corruption scene in episode 10 remains one of my favorites ever, and that was changed from the manga. The shounen-ai parts are admittedly some of my favorites; I have yet to see any other anime that has gay characters (and shows their feelings as something legit) that isn't a comedy or has tons of fanservice. The fact that it doesn't really matter to anyone that they're two guys who have feelings for each other made me really happy. Some people don't like that, I suppose, so I guess you could simply ignore it, but the thing is, if you don't understand that they at least care about each other by the end, I feel as though you don't understand what the show is actually about. It's major character development and it completely changes the characters and how they act. Plus, one of the reasons the story is so moving is because Nezumi- cold, uncaring, angry Nezumi- actually learns that you have to care about people, and you have to let them care about you, because if you don't... what is there? And Shion, from Nezumi learns the world is not a nice place, and you can't let people walk all over you. You can't help everyone, but as long as you help someone your life is worthwhile.
That's what I got from it, anyway. Take from it what you will.
*Art
I'm never that critical about anime art- I can't draw myself, and I feel somewhat hypocritical criticizing others' work in that area- but with No. 6 I had some issues with it. I loved the animation in general, such as Nezumi's room or Inukashi and Rikiga standing in the wreckage of the West Block. But sometimes the way the characters were drawn bothered me- not in instances like the scene when Nezumi is taking the bee out of Shion's neck, but little things like Nezumi's eyes or the awkwardness of their kiss.
*Sound
Rokutousei No Yoru (the ending song) was actually the first Japanese song I ever heard, and despite my family claiming it's cheesy, I adore it. The opening song, (Spell) not so much, but Nezumi's voice I think is quite beautiful. The songs were moving, especially when he sang on their way to the --------- (major spoiler), though the way he said "A song never saved anyone" afterwards broke my heart.
*Characters
The characters are as follows:
Shion (or Sion, but I prefer Shion): A genius with little to no social skills who lived in No. 6 until he was sixteen, and Chronos until he was twelve. The only one to ever survive being the host of the parasitic bees.
Nezumi (Rat, in English): Escaped the correctional facility at twelve and had his life saved by Shion. Sole survivor of the forest people. Loves Shakespeare, and cross dresses and goes by the name "Eve" when he acts and sings in Shakespearian plays.. Eve is widely known in the West Block and is admired.
Inukashi: Literally translates to Dogkeeper. Was raised by dogs after her parents abandoned her and the old man who took her in died. Runs a "hotel" in the West Block and gives Nezumi information about No. 6 for his assistance when her dogs die. (Some people, including the characters, assume Inukashi is a boy; I stand by her being a girl because of Episode 9.)
Rikiga: Drunk who runs a porn magazine and used to live in No. 6 and worked with (and crushed on) Shion's mother. Was a huge fan of Eve until he met Nezumi (he hates Nezumi with a burning passion, and the feeling is mutual) and is fiercely protective of Shion.
Karan: Shion's mother. Lives in No. 6.Saying anything else will be major spoilers.
Yoming: Man who had his wife and child taken by No. 6, and befriends Karan. Is obsessed with destroying No. 6 and vows to do so at any cost.
I loved the characters. I fell in love with Nezumi (and perhaps related to his attitude and anger towards the world). While Shion's naitivity sometimes had me rolling my eyes, he is still one of my favorite characters. Sometimes his optimism made me wince in sympathy, because the world isn't as he thought at all, and sometimes it felt like a foreshadowing to a rather rude awakening. Rikiga, I symathized with sometimes (but most of the time I hated him) and Inukashi was very interesting. My heart broke for her in episode 9. Yoming creeped me out, and I thought Karan was a wonderful mother. My heart broke for her, too.
Enjoyment: First time around, I loved this, being the first anime I ever watched, and if you don't think about the plot too much in the end it's not bad, but I highly recommend reading the manga and/or novel, because they actually do it justice.
Overall, 7, because of how rushed it was. I still recommend it, though!
