Story(7): The story of Charlotte is a confusing one. Like most anime, there is one goal where the character(s) work toward. In Charlotte, there are many goals here and there. Once the character(s) complete a goal, a new goal arises, etc, etc, etc. I myself, as well as I can assume almost everyone else can agree that this type of story + 13 episodes = rushed to the max. I am not sure why any studio, especially Key, that has the potential to create an amazing anime would condense it into 13 episodes. I honestly was very excited while watching this series till episode 12, because it felt like these 12 episodes were leading up to this point. Something “major” was going to happen in episode 13 that would defy my logic and Key would mindf##k me yet again. Unfortunately, it didn't and I have to admit that I was awaiting a waterfall of tears. I was greeted with depression at how well “easily” this show ended (really the amnesia card?). Nevertheless, although the story wasn’t played out well, it had meaning. And hey, we rarely get anime that contain a special meaning, and we are lucky to have studio Key to bless us with that.
Art(10): Amazing. What else can I say? The opening was beautifully animated. Each scene looked almost real to me. If you think Nagi No Asukara was awesome, this is one of the few animes that can compare/exceed it. If you were to watch an anime just for its beautiful animations, throw this on your to watch list immediately.
Sound(11): Haha I wish there was an 11 button, but screw it Im making my own. The sound………damn it doesn’t get better than this. I have bought all 6 CD’s already because of the amazing soundtrack. The op and ed songs are sung by the Lia and Aoi Tada, the same artists who sung the op and ed for angel beats and many other Key works. The translations to the every song in Charlotte portray the anime so well. Each track thrown into each scene matches perfectly, and Im surprised the songs made me tear up more than the actual anime. Jun Maeda, whatever you do, stick to making the soundtrack because you are a beast at it.
Character(7): This was a tough one to grade because i never really felt any attachment to any of the characters. I mist say that I felt a slightly better attachment to the two mains in this one than Angel Beats at least.
Yuu Otosaka: Yuu is the main male lead of Charlotte, and is your typical highschool student. He has the power to possess any person for 5 seconds(although his real power is OP as F), and gets through his days by cheating. He was a total jackass in the beginning and I didn’t care for him. But damn his character development XD Throughout the show, the amount of character development he goes through is tremendous, and at the end (or at least episode 12), the majority will have finally liked him. Spoiler: (Dude at least heal your brother XD)
Nao Tomori: The main female lead, and another tough character to like. An almost mix between Kanade and Yurippe. I honestly really loved her character, not because of her personality, but her determination. Her love for her brother, and her reasoning for saving the users of special abilities were her strengths. Spoiler: (On episode 12 when she tells Yuu the only way to save the world is to loot everyones abilities. I found this task well like……..wtf XD I don’t know why she would force like the craziest thing on him. Her and the rest of the case barely supported Yuu along the way on Ep 13 as well? Ahh I dunno XD)
Ayumi Otosaka: The little sister of the Yuu and well she is pretty freakin adorable. She loves to look at the stars, as well as make Omu Rice (with Pizza Sauce) for her brother. Spoiler: (really wish her character was better developed so I felt more of an emotion in episode 6 and 7).
Yusa Nishimori: A side main character, and the band singer of How Low Hello(her songs are awesome btw!) I can’t say much because she didn’t have any big role in the story. If anything, she served as a comic relief with Takajou. Spoiler: (Her other half was a much more lovable character. I really wish when they did part ways, it was spread out more. All of the emotional scenes felt so rushed).
Takajou Joujirou: The second side main character. Sadly he has no backstory whatsoever, and I was really interested in his past. He is the comic relief punching bag, and has a major crush on Yusa.
All the other characters I won’t spoil. I feel like Key decided to develop just the main male, which worked to some degree. The main downfall was that when tragedy did strike the other characters, there was little attachment to them already, meaning little to no emotions were felt.
Enjoyment(10): I must say that I really enjoyed this anime. Although the flaws were very noticeable, it didn't bother me too much.
Overall(10): Yes I am giving it a 10. Not because I am a big Key fanatic( which I am XD), but more because of just the messages being portrayed here. This anime has taught me that no matter how hard life is, I must keep trying. Hardships await each of us, just like Yuu and his struggles, yet if we push through them, then we will succeed in the end. Another great message I got from this was the simple promise to come back home. This reminds me of my future, I will have to leave my home for school in the future to try and achieve my dreams. But I will always come back home no matter what, because this is where my life started. Yuu made a promise, and he fulfilled that.
Rarely nowadays do we get anime that aren’t made for entertainment, but more for a message that the creators want portrayed to the audience. Just as Clannad emphasizes family, Little Busters with friendship, Angel Beats with life is short so live it to the fullest; Charlotte has successfully portrayed these new messages to me. Of course it has flaws, but when I look at the bigger picture, we are pretty damn lucky to have studio Key.
I am looking forward to Rewrite, the Charlotte Ova next year, and many more works to come! Thanks again Key for a great ride (and please make the next one at least 24 episodes :’( )
