The story starts off with Yukiteru Amano, a shy teenager with a lack of social skills who is always entering entries into his cell phone. He usually spends his time at home talking to his imaginary friends Dues Ex Machina and Murmur, to his shock he finds out his imaginary friends are actually real and Dues bestows upon him the Random Diary which allows him to tell the future. He seems to enjoy this diary at first at least until he gets a Dead End which foretells his death. Now part of a deadly game where he must slay the other 11 diary holders or die himself, he must now fight to survive with the help of his stalker Yuno Gasai who also has a diary herself. Throughout the series the show manages to keep you guessing with multiple plot twists (especially at the end) and great characters as well as having a solid amount of action and romance.
The characters in the show really work well with eachother as they all have their reasons for participating in the dangerous game or for helping Yukiteru and Yuno survive it. First Yukiteru Amano, he starts out a really weak and shy kid but after being in the game for a bit with Yuno, he progressively gets stronger and even at moments in the series really shines as a character. He doesn't trust or even like Yuno, but as the story progresses he really begins to fall in love with her. He is the perfect character to complement Yuno's character.
Yuno Gasai is just a girl in love to the point where she is willing to kill anyone who tries to take her beloved away from her or anyone who tries to hurt Yukiteru. Yuno is driven by her love for Yukiteru and is willing to sacrifice her own life to protect his if the situation calls for it. Throughout the series Yuno does her best to kill the other diary holders so that her love can become God, even though it will mean her eventual death. Her progression throughout the story coupled with the fact that she is a mystery throughout the show allows her to be a character that is able to at times just be a young girl who is love and wants to be with Yukiteru and at times ready to kill anyone who stands in the way of her goal indiscriminately.
The diary holders also provide excellent additions to the story since they all have their own goals and plans in mind to become God. The stories for the diary holders allow you to see from their side and give you a good understanding to why they have chosen to what they have. This allows the story to have characters that are not bland but have a reason for being that way, you might think they are evil you might not but in the end you will understand them a bit.
Other characters throughout the series provide great support to the story as well such as Aru Akise and Yukiteru's other friends as they try to find out the mystery behind Yuno and protect him from her if need be.
The art of the show was wonderful in my opinion as well as having great openings and closings for each half of the show. The animation was fluid and style really helps you get the emotion of the scene.
Overall it is an extremely good show and very enjoyable at times, there is thrilling action and at times everyone is trying to find out the mystery behind the next diary holder. If you like anime that contains action, romance, or even just mysteries this show provides all of that. If you watch the show and enjoy it it is a good idea to watch the Mirai Nikki Redial OVA to get the true ending to the series.
I would highly recommend this show to anyone.
