Genre: Action/Comedy/Mystery/Sci-fi/Drama/Romance/Josei
Review Status: Complete (11 Episodes/11 Episodes)
Licensed: Yes, this anime is licensed in the US
Art/Animation: Very lovely. The CG work is great, the backgrounds realistic and occasionally breathtaking, the artwork and animation top-notch.
Summary: On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be known as "Careless Monday," does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later... Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory, is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he's holding in the other. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash.(Production I.G website)
Review: This anime certainly has a way of getting your attention. From the very beginning, you're introduced to the conspiracies and intrigue that surrounds Akira. Little by little, the story unravells around the main characters- the main mystery is what happened to the 20,000 NEETS that disappeared near or on Careless Monday.
Around that are smaller mysteries. Who exactly is Akira? What exactly is Saki's mysterious power? Who are the Selacao? Who started Careless Monday? Why was nobody injured? And how can they save the world while saving their own skins? Who is the 'supporter', the hidden person among the Selacao who will kill them should they violate any of the 'rules' of using the money or use every last yen?
Every episode gives a little more information on most of these, interweaving pieces of their lives as Saki and Akira are drawn together. Not everything is related to these mysteries. Saki is attempting to be a college student, while dealing with friends that crush on her, a final project that uses her mysterious abilities, and unrequited love for her sister's husband.
Unfortunately, while this still is an involving and overall an amazing show, some of the threads are left unresolved. This can be somewhat frustrating. Thankfully, there are two movies that help complete the story.
This anime has a lot going for it. The voice acting, for instance, is great for both the Japanese and English voice actors. What's particularly nice for the Japanese voice track is that the Americans they talk to not only speak English, but speak it well. No Engrish to be heard here! The art and animation is top-notch and beautiful. And the story is compelling, enough to keep you watching eagerly for each episode.
Overall, this was an exciting show about conspiracies and romance.
Recommended: 18+. In the first episode, Akira shows up naked in front of the White House. Whenever he's naked, you might see his butt, but his "johnny", as he prefers to call it, is blanked out. He shows his johnny to a policewoman to shock/embarass her into letting them pass. He also jokes about it occasionally. There's a picture of him overlooking a bunch of other naked men (nudity is implied). When some men get offloaded in one episode, they are naked and run around getting clothes on. There's a woman in the series that kills men by cutting off their johnnys. She has some shots in nothing but her underwear. There is also some blood spatter, both from one of her killings and from another that occurs within the series. The only gorey death is offscreen, though it's not the only death. There is some minor fighting- some punches thrown, and Akira does get knocked out. There's some language, but it's not often. Maybe twice an episode.
Other titles you might enjoy:
Eden of the East Movie I: The King of Eden (anime)
Eden of the East Movie II: Paradise Lost (anime)
Dennou Coil (anime)
Summer Wars (anime)
Bokurano (anime and manga)
Doubt (manga)
This is definitely one of my favorites. And since you like it as well, I'm digging your review. ;)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I really like how you have the "licensed" category for your reviews - very helpful.
I don't think this is my favorite review I've done, but it's so hard to give enough detail without spoiling the show! XD Yes, it's definitely one of my favorite anime. I'm going to have to see the movies, now!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you like the 'licensed' bit- I decided that if people liked the series, then I should let them know if they can get it legally! Especially for the lesser-known series.