Ef: A Tale of Memories. When I was first introduced to this series, I wasn't too sure what to expect. The first thing I thought was, "Oh, it's just another romance anime." However, it is much, much more than that. The entire series is split into two simultaneous stories that are actually connected to each other, despite how different each part is. This was the first anime that I gave 10/10 to in every category. It's not just that it was enjoyable and was presented well, but that the deeper meaning and messages in the anime really spoke to me. Watching it posed interesting (and often quite depressing) questions about my own life. What would I (or you) do if my memory only lasted thirteen hours? Watching Ef: A Tale of Memories has changed the way I view the world and might potentially affect choices I make in the future.
Evaluation:
Story: 10/10
There is nothing to be said here. The stories present in Ef: A Tale of Memories are almost flawless. There is a delicate mixture of joy and a dark underlying tone of pain and suffering. I found this to be unlike any other storyline I've ever seen. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it immensely.
Art: 10/10
Once again, I found very little to complain about in terms of art and graphics. At first, I was a bit confused from the sort of mosaic scenes that came along every now and then, but as I delved deeper and deeper into the series, I realized how important they were to the story. Every character was drawn beautifully, and the landscape in general was quite amazing.
Sound: 10/10
Ef: A Tale of Memories has some of the most amazing musical pieces in it. The melodies of the intertwining instruments, filled with hope, sorrow, and joy, moved me completely. Though the anime itself didn't manage to make me cry (though it got VERY close several times), listening to the music brought tears to my eyes instantly. Even now, I listen to it whenever I want some peace and quiet.
Character: 10/10
The characters in Ef: A Tale of Memories can only be described as unique. The way they act, along with their personalities, makes them very much like a person you or I might meet in real life. In my opinion, this made the overall effect of the anime much deeper, since you could potentially relate to one character or another.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I have to say. I definitely enjoyed this anime a lot. It was deep, meaningful, and was able to change me as a person, though the change might be very small. Though not exactly a guiding force, there were places in Ef: A Tale of Memories that I could relate to, and such experiences might help me make tough decisions in the future.
Ef: A Tale of Memories is a definite must-watch for those of you looking for a serious love story that contains both happiness and sorrow. The writers of Ef have done an extraordinary job with the plot, as well as the personalities of the characters. Everything, in my opinion, was perfect. Perfect enough to call this anime a true masterpiece.
"If your memory only lasted 13 hours at a time, what would you do? What sort of path would you choose for yourself?"
-Perhaps it's better not to choose, but to lie in wait for the day when someone comes along who will free you from the binds of such a restriction.-
