I may be a bit late to the party watching and reviewing this anime more than a decade after it originally aired, but I found it incredibly thought-provoking, tension-filled, and an overall well-crafted show. It is arguably one of the best futuristic dystopian shows that I have watched. And, this is because it excels and distinguishes itself within this genre primarily because of how the show feeds information, and the characters, like the audience, are being clued into the fact that some practices in this ideal society are a bit odd. There are unexplainable disappearances, strange creatures, and an underlying sense of dread that begins to manifest beginning in the early episodes. And, as someone that pays attention to these subtle details, I became really engaged in figuring out what is actually going on, with this show's pacing helping to keep my attention.
Obviously, for those who have already watched the show, it is not perfect. I would argue that the latter half of the show was slightly weaker, but the ending and the surprising revelation provided the perfect closure. I would say that the ending revelation still makes me shudder to this day. And, for newer viewers, I would say that while this show is long, if you accept the premise, then you will utterly enjoy this show and/or appreciate it.
All in all, it is a great show, which is why I gave it a 9. I think it does the futuristic dystopian genre well, and I appreciate it for being one of the better shows I have watched in my life.
