This is the first full-scale review I write, so don't judge my poor way of expressing my thoughts... Though I have no idea how that will end up, when I am done =)
I will be honored if you were to read all of it, and tell me what do you think about it.
A small introduction:
I recommend that to anyone, pretty much any age (Well maybe not for those who are younger than say... 14). I like judging things myself, so go ahead watch it, if you are like me.
The only reason I don't give it a perfect score, is because it would be unfair to other anime, which is just as good, and maybe because I don't think there is anything perfect - you can always make something better... (Which is also a troublesome statement since I don't believe in "always" and "never")
I liked pretty much all the aspects of that anime: The story, the art, the characters... The hours I spent watching it - pure joy!
Now into details:
The story is extremely unpredictable, entertaining, and intriguing. It starts in a rather common way: The protagonist arrives to a new place, new life, new environment. Could go either way: a very boring, banal story, or something like what came out of it (no spoilers in the hood =)
The story revolves around three main characters, that are yet unaware of each other's secrets.
You could say that the anime examines the society, it's behavior. One of the main topics are the secrets that each and every one of us hides: the dark, the embracing, and the absolutely horrifying.
The story shows the events from different perspectives and approaches. A great, outstanding way of delivering the plot.
It evolves in an unexpected way, and leaves some room for your imagination, or possibly a sequel. Even though there are some ends that weren't completely cut, you don't feel like you've been left with no ending. All the puzzle pieces end up in a perfect order, at their right place.
The only reason I didn't give it a 10, is because it looks a tiny bit slow in the beginning (and because of what I said earlier about perfectness)
Which brings us to the second topic I want to discuss - the characters.
You can understand from the things i said previously that dozens of mysterious characters are waiting for you, about to reveal their secrets... or maybe only some of them ;D
One of the main characters, Mikado, which can seem like a dull ordinary character at first, actually has a lot to offer (you will have to watch the anime - no spoilers, as i said). We can even see him evolve in a way, come to certain conclusions, realizations.
Which is obviously true not only about him.
Kida and Sonohara also have their secrets (as well as many other characters) and do change.
There is no child-like definition of characters' nature: you are either bad or good, black or white, you can't stay unlabeled. That is absolutely wrong about that anime. There are tons of way to understand them, and you can sympathize with those you like. You could say they are definitely colorless, in a good way (you will get the reference after watching the anime =P).
The art... What can i say... Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!
First off, the details and the animation are flawless. The "camera" angles keep every scene interesting. There is a strangely appealing, and enjoyable approach to drawing crowds of people.
The artist chooses to leave certain details, or people grey, while defining the others, and making the needed details more noticeable. If you think, that must look out of place, you are dead wrong. That looks amazingly well, and fits the mood of the anime perfectly. I wouldn't know until you watch it, so once again... You know what I mean already, don't you?
Also I am the Anime HD only kind of guy, so I really do take my time to appreciate the art, and not only the plot.
The genres are listed as "Action, Shounen, Supernatural"... Couldn't disagree more. Some may see that as a simple shounen on the surface, but you should dig dipper. A whole bunch of intriguing ideas are left there. The anime leaves tons of ways for interpretation. One of the reasons I liked it that much.
The story is interesting, comic sometimes, thrilling. It has it all =)
All in all, an amazing anime. Incredible story and characters, flawless art.
What else can you ask for?
