Reviews

Many people say Elfen Lied was overly violent, impractical, comedically tragic, and shocking for shock value's sake. There are similar complaints of Lars Von Trier's directing- that it mimics, and is not necessarily distinct from pornography. I recall in Godart's Masculin Feminin, a character censors a provocative scene from the camera and writes "down with the coward republic!" on a bathroom stall. I feel the same frustration.

I watch anime as a refreshing change from the coward republic and western entertainment. Only recently do you see dark themes touching on taboo subjects reaching mainstream, like Eyes Wide Shut (a commentary on the nature of Western willful ignorance... goodbye Kubrick) and True Detective.

Elfen Lied starts out with a bit of the 'ol ultraviolence. It's meant to be shocking. It's meant to be upsetting. It serves a purpose, however. The point is that Lucy becomes a violent character beyond redemption in your mind. Then the show works backwards- deconstructing her character and showing you why she is so violent, and why she deserves empathy. She was raised an orphan, bullied, neglected, etc etc. Mayu, the runaway is given attention as well in this regard, however the director gives us respite by not being graphic about the abuse like with the violence.

When people complain about elfen lied, they don't mention the themes of alienation, acceptance, guilt, regret, redemption, cruelty, or abusee. They mention the scene in the beginning, they mention an unfeasible or overly dramatic plot, or criticize the judgement of the characters. About those people, I say they are walking around with their eyes wide shut.