Ayashi no Ceres
Discernment Topics
Violence: \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
People are frequently blasted apart with energy. We see them cut clean in two, lose appendages, and spray blood from wounds.
Fights ensue with melee weapons and firearms as well. This results in impaling, gunshot wounds, lacerations, and other forms of trauma. Blood splatters and sprays from injuries.
People are also beat to death with fists. One scene shows a man being punched all the way through his chest.
One scene has a man being tortured to death by getting shot repeatedly. Blood splatters and covers the ground.
Destruction of buildings and cityscape result from the use of supernatural powers.
Language:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Mild language throughout.
Multiple uses of the word "b*tch".
Spiritual Content:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Celestial beings, heaven, and celestial powers form the core of the plot's points.
Some characters are referred to as "goddesses".
Some characters are the descendants of these celestial beings and manifest a sort of reincarnation of them.
One villain speaks of evolution and explains away love by saying it is merely our biological desire to leave progeny.
Fanservice:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Occasional nudity and some unfeatured nudity as well.
There are some fanservice scenes.
Misc. Suggestive Content:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
One character behaves in a lecherous and perverted manner.
Rape is discussed as having happened to one character. Spousal abuse is also highlighted.
Some characters live together unmarried and conceive a child as well. One of the characters is younger than 18.
One character claims to have had multiple relations with men for the sole purpose of procreating and claims that men are just a means to an end.
In-vitro fertilization is used by scientists to create offspring for an experiment.
[spoilers]
Due to possession by a evil reincarnation of an ancestor, one character develops incestuous feelings against their will before their body is taken over by the ancestor to attempt to act upon these evil urges.
Detached Assessment
Story:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
8/10
Story was very interesting and unique. It did enough original things to keep me intrigued and frequently surprised me with how harsh it was willing to be.
However, the plot frequently seems to have points that don't make much sense without a lot of thought on the viewer's part.
That said, it remained a very good story that I was satisfied to see followed through.
Characters:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
7/10
Most of the characters don't really get developed much aside from our leads. But the leads are likable, so that wasn't to big of a problem.
That notwithstanding, even the leads make some pretty weird decisions now and again that make you question their motivations... or perhaps their sanity.
Art:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
7/10
Very dated, but it got the job done.
Studio Pierrot makes some very angular faces. Preference will determine whether or not that will be a problem for anyone.
Most scenes were very stiff and didn't move all that much. However, the action scenes did go pretty smoothly sometimes. Other times, still frames and dated movement remained the way it was. I suppose that was just par for the course back then though.
Sound:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
8/10
OP is beautiful.
First ED rocks and occupies my favorites list for it's sheer 80s-ness. The second ED was less so, but still good.
OST was good and, occasionally, noticeably fitting to the scenes.
Enjoyment:\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
8/10
The touching love story that kept me interested through all of the supernatural catgackery is definitely a good one. I enjoyed seeing the story get it's positive messages out there in the end.
Conclusion
Fans of shojo, action, and romance will enjoy this show.
A good love story with some likable characters makes for a good motivation for the rest of the supernatural action to get around to making some good points and warming your heart.
Be aware though, this shojo series doesn't always follow common tropes and isn't afraid to include tragedy in it's mix. Those who can't handle tragic occurrences should steer clear.
