This article is part of a segment on the site where I will introduce readers to the wonders anime that may not be well-known in the States. I always attempt to find the odd, gross, and uncomfortable to watch along with the funny, clever, and dramatic series that anime geeks crave.
It’s that time again, anime geeks! This week’s Ima is about demons, the kind that make you forget your past, pees on themselves, and introduces the world to a total mindfuck, all while maiming and dismembering countless individuals. If any of this sounds familiar to you, bravo!, you’ve probably seen a trippy little anime called Elfen Lied. For more violence, twists, turns, and mindfuckery, hit the jump.
What it’s about:
This is a very hard anime for which to summarize a plot. The very beginning scene sets the tone for the entire anime. Needless to say this scene sets up the crazy violence that’s to come in the rest of the anime. Aside from the gratuitous amounts of blood and gore, much of the anime is about the main character, Kouta, caring for a small girl that seems to be an invalid. This girl ends up being a diclonius, a very powerful demon with telekinetic “vectors” or hands, and it is in this revelation where much of the plot lies. Large parts are made up of the quizzical Nyu, the kinder, infantile innocent side of the demon, Lucy. That’s not to suggest that Lucy is an evil character, however, as the anime does a fantastic job of illustrating the evils of prejudice and xenophobia, arguing the case that it was humanity that forced her kind to be this way. The theme of being a product of injustice and environment is one that is prevalent throughout the series.
Why you should watch it:
This anime is by far one of the darkest, most atmospheric and deepest short anime series that I have ever watched. The foreboding and feeling of dread that the series emits episode after episode, intermixed with the humor and great drama is enough to keep anyone interested and clamoring for more. When the larger supporting cast is introduced; characters like Nana and Mariko, both diclonius themselves, help illustrate many of the pitfalls of upbringing and how one’s environment ultimately dicatates personality and personal perspectives. The concept of nature vs. nurture is further explored in greater detail in this series, along with concepts of loss and mourning, making for great dramatic scenes in an overall great anime.
The twists in the series will make your jaw drop as well. Without giving too much away, the main characters have many repressed memories that contribute to the overall tragedy that befalls nearly everyone by the series conclusion. These revelations alone should be enough to get the viewer to keep watching, as these twists are nearly impossible to predict.
I feel that many who have seen this anime would kill me if I didn’t mention the musical theme. This theme, Lilium, can be heard throughout the series and is one of the only pieces of music played throughout. It is a haunting, somber, yet beautiful theme, sung mostly in latin, that reflects many biblical verses praising divinity and purity, a perfect allegory for the series. This theme is performed in many different ways throughout the series, often setting up the atmosphere of a scene. This song is by far one of the most memorable in any series, anime or not, and its use throughout the show not only ties everything together, but conveys the anime’s deeper meanings and themes due to its exceptional placement.
Where you can catch it:
Elfen Lied has been released in a DVD set, with both Japanese and English audio tracks. While the English dub is passable, that’s all it is. For the full effect of the anime, I urge you to watch it with subtitles. There are also many places to watch the anime online (not netflix, sadly.)
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