Forum - View topicREVIEW: Elfen Lied DVD 1
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khryoleoz
 Posts: 158 |
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Though not so idealistic that I would reject the consumption of digisubs, I'm principal'ed enough to pay my dues when having done so. And the ideological basis on which I take a position regarding this title isn't so important that I would shrug off completely something as impactful so as to be the next Ninja Scroll.
I don't think I'm a narcissist, but I admit deriving enjoyment out of healthy self-expression. I didn't completely dislike the series either. Nana was voiced by Yuki Matsuoka and she's always fun to listen to, except when her character is being beaten to a pulp. Her relationship with Kurama is the one fantastic element that I bought into. And it isn't the gore and violence that bothered me so much, but the other and more vital things that had been given less credible attention because of the gore campaign (not the 2000 US presidential Democratic candidate of course). I am confident in Fumoffu's merits in all aspects that Key will give it a favorable review that is aligned with my own reasonings. But if not, I'll just hold my tongue. I have my reasons for liking Fumoffu that need not be anyone else's. |
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SnowfairyX
 Posts: 438 |
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You definitely like the attention that you're getting aren't you? I bet that you got a little satisfaction with some of the people who agree with you. I'll be watching Elfen Lied to the end to see if I agree with you also. There are often a lot of overhyped series that I didn't care much for in the end, so maybe I'll feel the same way you do. The first episode was very enjoyable in my opinion, though. The way you wrote the Elfen Lied review and your mention of the titles that you liked, made it seem like you considered them masterpieces in comparison. I seriously doubt that Kaleido Star and Super Galz are masterpieces, but I think that they are good series from what I've heard. I plan on getting Shadow Star: Narutaru very soon. Do you think this series is good? I thought Hellsing and Cowboy Bebop were overhyped. Hellsing was overhyped to the point that I found it to be the most disappointing of all the series that I was looking forward to. It was still good, just disappointing. Cowboy Bebop was a better series, but I found nothing really memorable about it. I'd like it if you wrote an "unbiased review" for these titles to balance out all the other reviews these titles have received. I'm serious. About your consumption of digisubs, are you saying that after watching Elfen Lied on that format and not particularly enjoying it, you are still willing to purchase the entire series? Do you do that for all series you watch or only for the ones that aren't horrible? I commend you if you are planning on purchasing the entire Elfen Lied series even after not particularly liking it. |
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 18587 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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I doubt you'll be disappointed, as I'm giving it a very positive review. I think its merits are obvious. |
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khryoleoz
Posts: 158 |
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How embarrasing. I meant to say principled, not principal'ed, but my meaning obviously came across. Sorry 'bout that.
I would not call Kaleido Star and Super Gals masterpieces either. But they moved me, so it really stings to see them treated as they are. Narutaru is not very enjoyable, but I rate it highly. See my Amazon review. spoiler[Ugh, remembering the insertion of a glass tube and breaking it while inside still gives me the shivers.] Both Hellsing and Cowboy Bebop were matters of style over substance. It would be the same mistake to represent them as substantive efforts. As a student musician, I can write a thesis on why Yoko Kanno's score can hardly be called jazz by being "jazzy" but that is reserved for an entirely different journalistic endeavor. Is it possible to write an unbiased review? I rely on digisubs for sneak previews or as a viable alternative to a lack in region one distribution. Like many, if I don't like or suspect that I won't like a particular title, I wouldn't bother with its digisub in the first place. So my pursuit of a digisub means that I've liked a title enough on some level. And ultimately, I always get a region one release. Having invested over $7K in anime titles already, with no signs of stopping any time soon, Gad Guard is the only title I dropped mid-way because I just couldn't like it enough. Elfen Lied is not Gad Guard, so a four volume committment is a trifle measure. I've got a mortgage now, so my voluminous anime consumption is expected to decrease drastically, so I'll focus on what I consider my "A" titles. I hope School Rumble gets picked up soon. The only thing I found funnier still was Fumoffu. Last edited by khryoleoz on Thu May 19, 2005 1:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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HitokiriShadow
 Posts: 6251 |
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Shadow Star: Narutaru is pretty good in my opinion. The plot isn't really resolved and a number of questions are left unanswered. However, the show is still quite good. While it lacks the gore and nudity of Elfen Lied, I think it is far, FAR more disturbing. The opening is all cutesy and kiddy (and looks crayon-drawn) and the tone is completely the opposite of the show itself. After seeing the series, I heard that it was aired on a channel and timeslot for children. Those poor kids are going to need some serious therapy some day. |
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kusanagi-sama
 Posts: 1723 Location: Wichita Falls, TX |
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I also heard that Narutaru was cancelled at the 13th episode after it was getting to violent for children. Also, yes it was aired on Kid's Station in Japan, a station for kids.
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SnowfairyX
Posts: 438 |
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If anyone wants to talk more about Shadow Star: Narutaru, I'll start up another topic about it in the anime section. I heard some people compare Elfen Lied with Shadow Star in that both series are extremely violent. I've already picked up the first volume of Elfen Lied with the box and planning to get Shadow Star next.
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Mohawk52
 Posts: 8202 Location: England, UK |
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Killer 7
Posts: 68 Location: "America,F&&k Yeah"! |
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It's a good series, but i wouldn't go as far as giving it an A in every catagory. Sure you have the gratuitous violence and fan serviced naughty bits,but when it all comes down to it, The concept of Elfen Lied is nothing original. let's see, a human experiment
goes arwy. and it's up to the scientists to retrive or destroy him/her.  very familiar ground can you say Baoh,Blue Sonnet,Project ARMS,etc,etc,etc.
After awhile i got sick of "Nyu" childlike behavior while frequently calling out her adoptive name. However when she is thrust into a squabble,she regains her conscious which is cool. I hope this is only a 8 part series,because it's really not that much you can drag out 29 eps from a mediocre storyline. |
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Nagisa
Moderator
 Posts: 6128 Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh |
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Originality does not always guarantee a high quality story, and a high quality story does not always have to be original. Like Key said in his review (or at least in this thread), Elfen Lied certainly isn't original in the vast majority of categories, but the fact that those recycled parts were put together so well and were made to work so effectively in this particular package renders it irrelevant.
I have a hard time recalling any TV series that ran for either 8 OR 29 episodes. OVAs even, though there're likely more examples in that category. |
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HitokiriShadow
Posts: 6251 |
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A) No one ever said she was a human experiment. Possible spoiler. spoiler[ She is a mutant. The scientists find Dicloniui and experiment on them. They don't create them.] B) Actually, she changes back to Lucy when she hits her head and she changes back to Nyu due to various mental or emotional reasons.
It is 13 episodes long. When has an anime every been 8 episodes? You obviously haven't seen the whole series, so don't judge it as a whole yet. |
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kusanagi-sama
Posts: 1723 Location: Wichita Falls, TX |
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Elfen Lied also has an OVA episode. It is not clear whether or not the ADV license included this episode. If it does, then this OVA episode would be included as an extra on the 3rd DVD.
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Chrno2
 Posts: 6172 Location: USA |
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After seeing this series, I can honestly say that I love it. It's a very moving show. But a lot of the elements of this show will turn your stomach upside down. The violence will startle you. But also the other elements spoiler[ which contain scenes of suggested sexual abuse to a minor and animal abuse ] will definitely make you uneasy.
spoiler[The reason I use the term "suggestive" because that's what it was. Even though we are not shown any actual sexual contact we pretty much get the idea of what was going on in the household that Mayu once resided. When I first watched this episode I had wondered why this child was living in the streets. Then you finally see why. You see her getting ready to live with new wards. But there is one scene that gives you an idea that this is not going to be an ideal household. That scene is where they focus the camera on the husband. His face is in shadow but their is this unsettling look on his face. I immediately knew that he wasn't going to be what his wife married. Whenever you can't see the parents face it's either because they won't play a pivotal role, something not right, whatever the case. In this case it was the creepy look on his face. And sure enough I was right. Next scene you're watching this man telling Mayu to strip. Not to mention his actions to this are unsettling as well. We didn't have to reach 'Kite' (2-part DVD import version)level to get the point, this scene was enough to make you uneasy. Not to mention the music doesn't help either, because it's depressing as HELL! The scene with the children beating the puppy to death turned my stomach upside down. That's another element effects viewers is seeing animals abused. But it also goes to show you how cruel children can be when give a chance. Not to mention adults as well. ] Elfen Lied is has much contrast. Despite the mindless violence in the series you wonder who should you root for. The irony is the hunter ends up being disliked but Lucy who ends up killing even if you get in her way, you sympathize with. It's very strange but very well thought out. But the show is depressing I'll give it that. We get a nice sorrowful OP  and then we get this happy upbeat ending. 
The only thing I hate about this series is how ADV presented it's packaging. The take the same imagery from the import box, add a full body and add blood to the hands. The import box is just Lucy/Nyuu on the cover. It's a large image from head to arms. No blood on the arms. Why did we have to do that? We could have kept the same packaging. Did they think if they left it alone that people would get misled? So to make us feel better let's put some blood on it. Damn that cover is lame! As for the OVA it's still not to late for ADV to put it on the set. But chances are it will be up for grabs because they'll never treat it as ep. 14. Even though the offical HP lists it as ep. 14 it's really pretty much a stand alone side story. But we'll see. |
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-gecko-
 Posts: 285 Location: Near Seattle, WA |
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I too hope they will include it, like in Excel Saga. I want to note that I enjoyed Key's review. I found it the least biased of all the reviews I have read on ANN. I have a habit of dismissing reviews when I detect bias because the reviewer has ceased giving an opinion of merit that will benefit others and begun giving an opinion that suites his/her own tastes and those with similar tastes. Perhaps that is the purpose of reviews anyway; I seldom choose a title based on reviews. Key's and most reviews I have read on AoD are as close to unbiased as I have seen; the authors tend to let you know when they are biasing their opinion and the reason for that. I need to read more reviews here to give a view of that otherwise. I must confess that I only watch dubbed DVDs (unless there is no alternative) so I have no opinion of the original dialog. I have issues with prerceptions of originality. I tend to flock toward titles that fit a certain mold (see My Anime if you will), but I enjoy the presentation of each title and haven't found any to be un-original in actual presentation. Maybe I am too shallow in this regard. I certainly do not feel that I am too elitist to dis titles because they don't resemble Dante's Inferno or the Iliad. Having stated the above, Elfen Lied had some surprises for me. I felt the backgraunds were mastefully done and the characters had decent enough backgrounds (having seen only the first four episodes, i am sure more depth is forthcoming); Kohta struck me the most because I have been in his position myself (loss of family and memory). Lucy/Nyu's constant 'nyu-ing' was a bit grating, but I think the romantic comedy aspect took the edge off all the gore. The gore was there for the shock value of it; also to contrast the innocence of Lucy as Nyu. At first, I understood the nudity to be a requirement spoiler[Lucy's manipulation of objects as missiles precluding any clothing] and then to emphasize Lucy/Nyu's innocence. Call it fanservice if you like; I'm sure some would argue it could have been done away with. I'd enjoy it either way. The music was very good from both opening and closing to the BGM; I am not all that picky as you can see. Overall I enjoyed the first DVD and am looking forward to the rest. |
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okidokiAnji
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I was originally going to launch into a huge discussion, highlighting all of the points from Elfenlied, not to mention the meanings, but then I was struck with the realisation, that if you can't see Elfenlied for what it is, then I'm just sorry for you, a person that seems so knowledgable, not to be able to look past the "extreme violence, nudity, and gore". Although amusingly enough, on your list of animes better then Elfenlied, you list...Gantz. Which is full of ...senseless violence and nudity. That's pretty much an oxymoron. This anime isn't about senseless violence although it's jam packed with it. It's not about nudity either, yes there's nudity...but on the character with the mentality of a child. Children strip their clothes off all the time. 
Not to mention Lucy, is pretty much sexless. As Rei from Evangelion was, so is Lucy. She is the downfall of all mankind. But she has the ability to LEARN and not kill all of mankind. I doubt you've ever even glanced at the manga, especially considering they're on chapter ninty three, --a fair distance for a "pointless violence filled anime." And the manga goes extremely in-depth on the Diclonii, --their existance, their genetics, etc. spoiler[There's even a BRED MALE DELCLONIUS. ]
So...the anime's you praise, and that moved you, aren't masterpieces, aren't enjoyable...but it stings you to see the way they're treated...so you in turn...have to go bash on other animes? That other people are moved by? And enjoy? Very nice, very very nice. ^^ I also enjoy, where another member points out that this is not the place for this discussion and doesn't write out how they feel in accordance to that, and you respond with
Another fantastic quote. Her purpose...in becoming homeless...is how she ends up in the story. At all. O_O If she wasn't homeless, she would of never seen spoiler[Lucy rip Nana's limbs off]. If she wasn't homeless she would of never spoiler[found Wanta and started living in the docks, found Nana, saved Nana, or any of that. ] She would of been sitting at home...and not a part of this story. Not to mention, all people who have problems in their lives should become jaded cynics? As opposed to still having hopes and dreams? I think your main problem with this anime is that it actually shows not all of humanity sucks, that humanity has it's reasons for existing, and should be allowed to exist, but that it has its own huge glaring errors and problems, and that sometimes we think maybe it should be wiped out. You, yourself, just seem to be an unhappy jaded cynic. Not the best person to be writing reviews. And...she's eating spoiler[dried bread from a bakery that they throw out]. Not pet food. O.o Not to mention...spoiler[he's not her pet. But another stray she found wandering, alone, cold and by herself, that she then took care of, because even homeless and alone, she wanted to take care of him. ] Which is a huge part of building up the story.
Um. spoiler[*One* of them managed to escape. Like most powerful creatures ( IE HUMANS ) when facing a confrontational situation, we destroy whatever caused it. They're not trying to become the dominant race by destroying each other, Nana confronts Lucy, Mariko searches for Nana, Lucy hunts for Mariko to pretty much *save the human race*. If Lucy wanted to, she could implant her seed into every pregnant woman she walks past and expand her numbers by thousands. But she DOESN'T. Which is a POINT. Not a contradictory situation. ] How does Gantz more stylishly depict violence? How can violence ever be stylishly depicted? Violence is violence.
When does Elfenlied ever declare that the Diclonius' were supreme because they were "monsters?" spoiler[The Dilclonii are the next race of humans. They are a mutation that happened naturally. Not "monsters". ] I think I've came to your real problem.
So because the characters aren't jaded and cynical, like you obviously would be in similiar situations, their characters are unbelievable because they've been concieved in ways that go against human nature. That you know...wouldn't be the point or anything. These poor empathetic humans shouldn't be allowed to be better then their circumstances, and they shouldn't rise above their past and become a better person for it either. Nope, they should just follow normal human interaction like the rest of the sheep and spend their lives pointlessly hating the world. Yup.
Once again with the, OMG, their personalities aren't warped and twisted from their tragic pasts, the character development sucks, I hate this anime. If anime characters developed like normal humans...no one would watch animes. Because all the characters would be sitting locked inside their houses eating food, whining about animes not having real enough character development. That sounds so enlightening. So interesting. I can hardly wait for "The Couch Potatoes of America Pt. 1" to take place. Anyways. *coughcough* The opening song of Elfenlied = A very, very good idea of the entire series. The opening pictures of Elfenlied, were originally paintings done by Gustav Klimt, long ago. These ones are modeled after them. I particularily enjoyed the mannequins in the intro song. e.e They speak volumes about the anime. ..and it looks like I ended up doing the one thing I was going to avoid, eh.
BUT. The OVA episode, is in fact an episode included on the Japanese DVDs that is technically like...episode eleven, with eleven being twelve and so on. It's pretty much more background story on Lucy and Nana. As well as a bit more of them living in happiness in the inn where Kohta has rescued them all ( wishy-washy character? That has to save everything he finds that's lost and hurting? Hmph. ) I haven't heard anything about it being released on the ADV versions, but would hope so. The majority of the Elfenlied fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a movie...which would be nice, but there's waaay too much to pack into one movie. The one problem I had with the series was the completely open ending, but that was done, as the manga still hasn't hit an ending point, and what else would they of ended on? But yeah. I'm going to wander away now. [/size]
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