Series: Elfen Lied – Complete Collection
Release date: 6th August 2007
Certificate: 15
Running time: 460 mins
Director: Mamoru Kanbe
Starring: Sanae Kobayashi, Chihiro Suzuki, Mamiko Noto, Emiko Hagiwara, Yuki Matsuoka
Genre: Anime
Studio: ADV
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Based on the manga series by Lynn Okamoto, Elfen Lied is a 13 episode series that is as beautiful as it is violent. With one of the most graphic opening sequences in anime history, it is no wonder that ADV consider this one of their best selling and most notorious releases.
Lucy is a Diclonius, a new evolution similar to human beings but with short horn like protrusions, and the ability to use invisible arms known as ‘vectors’. Initially held captive in a government facility, she escapes those who wish to harness her power; however, she is shot in the head during the escape.
Lucy is then found washed up at the beach by Kohta, a student who has moved to Kamakura to study at university, and his cousin Yuka. Losing her memory due to her wounds, Lucy regresses into a childlike personality, incapable of both speech and the ability to do anything by herself. Naming her ‘Nyu’ after the one word she can speak, Kohta and Yuka take her into their care.
But as the government begin to use to both highly trained soldiers and other Diclonius in order to capture Lucy, with Lucy’s true identity resurfacing at frequent intervals, the pair become embroiled in a series of events that they in fact became first involved with eight years ago…
From just the opening scene alone, it’s easy to assume that this series is purely for fan service. The ten minute opening of a naked Lucy escaping from a government facility, mercilessly slaughtering any soldiers that get in her way, is not one for the light-hearted. With minimal music to make the sound effects all that chilling, and limbs flying everywhere, it’s no wonder it’s become one of the most graphic and memorable openings in anime. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there is far more to Elfen Lied than the blood and nudity.
Each character has their own demons and issues that they must face as the series progresses. Kohta’s lost memories of his murdered sister and father offer a shocking realisation. Yuka’s romantic feelings for her cousin place her in a far more compromising position, being aware of his family’s murder. While the gore and nudity from the series remains, it becomes enwoven into a gripping storyline that is more about the dark side of humanity rather than the dangers of the Diclonius, a race with the instinct to kill any humans they lay their eyes on. The flashback episodes toward the end of the series are significant and especially powerful, as we see a young Lucy (before her violent instincts took control) suffer torment from even orphan children for being different. For someone who killed so many people in the opening, it is Lucy who perhaps deserves the most sympathy. With a powerful supporting cast, too, most with their own tragic story to tell, there isn’t a character in Elfen Lied short on depth.
Elfen Lied has strong family themes, as Mayu, a young homeless girl and victim of child abuse points out as the series reaches its climax. Elfen Lied is, above all, a story of friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption.
If Elfen Lied were to have one problem, it would be its length. At a mere 13 episodes, it sometimes feels like the story ends before it even begun. There are a few plot threads that remain unresolved by the series’ conclusion, and Elfen Lied also ends on a strong cliff-hanger. In fact, the anime follows less than half on the manga it is based on. However it can be argued that the cliff-hanger ending in fact strengthens the series, leaving it up for speculation, and letting the viewing decide the meaning of the final scene.
Lilium, the series opening, is equally as powerful as the series’ contents. A powerful orchestral theme with Latin vocals, coupled with stained glass window imagery of the characters, Lilium is very different from the usual J-rock/pop offerings of similar anime. It is also one of the rare instances where the opening theme plays an important part within the series itself. Several versions of Lilium is played as background music through the series (including instrumental and choir versions) and, most importantly, the song itself is one of the main bonds between Kohta and Lucy. The rest of the series’ score, composed by Yukio Kondo, is equally magnificent, with a range of pieces to suit both the horror and the light-hearted comedy moments. The only weak link in the soundtrack is the series ending theme – ‘Be Your Girl’ - a J-pop piece that is in stark contrast to themes of Elfen Lied.
Elfen Lied is not only brutally violent, but a provoking reminder of how humanity is often the real monster. Gripping, thoroughly entertaining and incredibly thought-provoking, Elfen Lied is one of the finest adult animes Japan has to offer. AJ
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