What truly makes this anime special is the emotional connection it creates between the viewer, EDEN's world, and its characters. This is the result of the immense passion that is clearly visible in every aspect of the production—from the soundtrack to the animation, the story, the world-building, and the central message. You can just feel the passion behind it all. Despite its simplicity, EDEN delivers powerful messages to everyone watching.
The story is simple and sometimes predictable, yet it carries a powerful emotional message as well as an important question about humanity interfering with the natural flow of life and the purpose and place of robots and A.I. in our world. Don't expect many surprises—rather, expect emotional depth.
Since this is a four-episode anime, there isn't much space for world-building. However, this is not an issue. Everything about the world feels very natural—there's never a moment when we are suddenly introduced to a random location or monument that wasn't previously established. The flow is seamless. Additionally, the scenery is absolutely beautiful. The vast green fields and the absence of industrial elements truly reflect what EDEN is all about.
The characters are simple, yet they represent something that most viewers will resonate with. Right in the first episode, the show introduces us to the four main characters. Sara, the protagonist, represents us—the viewers—the good and hopeful side of humanity. Then, there are the "Father" and "Mother" robots. They represent… parents! Shocking, right? Though they are a very simplified depiction of parental figures, they still resonate with us, reminding us of those who care for us, as well as the past that should neither be forgotten nor ignored. The last main character is "Zero," the so-called "evil" robot. I won’t say much about him to avoid spoilers.
The animation is amazing. I understand that many people don't like the use of CGI in anime, especially when the entire show is made using it. However, I have to disagree with claims that this anime looks ugly or that the animation is awkward—it isn’t. The animation is well-executed. To me, it's clear that EDEN was all about experimentation. I doubt it was created with the expectation of being a massive hit, which allowed for creative freedom. The animation reflects this experimental nature.
The soundtrack is simple yet, once again, powerful! In some moments, there isn’t much music playing, allowing the viewer to focus on the scene without distraction. However, during intense action sequences or emotional moments, the soundtrack plays its role perfectly, blending futuristic, almost cyberpunk-ish synths with a stunning orchestral score. This balance between industrial and organic, old and new, humans and robots, fits the show perfectly.
I have nothing negative to say about EDEN. I understand why some people don’t enjoy it, but I also believe that external factors led some to judge it too harshly. In my opinion, any time spent watching EDEN will not be wasted. I think I made this clear, but the emotional depth and the messages about humanity, nature, and technology are what truly make this anime special. Overall, my rating is 8/10.
