The show begins with a amnesic young man waking up in Washington D.C. with nothing but a gun in one hand and a cell phone in the other. I DO mean literally nothing else- the guy is butt naked. No worries though, everything that needs to be censored is. The man meets a college senior named Saki Morimi, and the show continues on from there. It turns out that Takizawa is a part of a very dangerous game, and the mysteries continue to pile up as the show progresses. Eden of the East really reminded me of the Jason Bourne movies in terms of the plot.
I think the plot, as well as some very likable characters, is what really makes this series shine. The story is exceptionally well written, keeping the viewer from wanting to know more about the game. Cliffhangers at the end of episodes just add to the incredible suspense. I wish I could say more about the plot, but I fear that as a mystery show that would result in spoilers. There are some significant themes in the show, such as the use of power, politics, and technology. It really makes for a very interesting combination.
I also thought the art was superb. Character designs are simple but in my opinion extremely effective. Some of the background art even caught my eye while watching. This is a beautifully animated anime. The music was good, although the only memorable tunes I found were the opening and closing songs, as well as a song during the climax of the series.
I would like to add a note however: this show is rated TV-MA for a reason. Sexual themes and violence are quite apparent in the show and really really should not be watched by younger viewers. The scene that sticks out most in my head for being inappropriate concerns a serial killer: and kids don't need to be exposed to that.
If you're looking for a new anime to watch that breaks the confines of your traditional anime fare, this is the show. I really cannot think of anything else like it. The ending however seems rather abrupt- it isn't even feel all that open ended. It becomes apparent that if you want to see the end of the story you are going to have to watch the upcoming movies. Which means I'll be waiting awhile for my English dub...
A definite recommendation!
