Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied
Genres: Drama, Horror, Psychological, Romance, Science Fiction
Episodes: 14 (One OVA usually called Episode 10.5)
Rating: MA (Strong Language, Intense Graphic Violence, Nudity, Disturbing Themes)
Also available in MANGA

9/10 Sugar Cubes

Do you like looking at nudity? You know you do! So with that said Elfen Lied is an anime that includes not only animated nakedness, but a plot that evokes philosophical thought, plenty of violence and visuals so beautiful, they may make you a little misty eyed!


Elfen Lied begins with Lucy. Lucy is a Diclonous, an evolved human with some KICK ASS telekinetic powers and cute demon horns. Lucy is also an escapee science project of the Japanese government and has a BAD case of amnesia/ schizophrenia. So she’s either, Lucy, a humorless sadistic BITCH with a vengeance, or Nyu, a painfully slow but sweet girl that finds herself in innocent, yet awkward situations, (usually involving nudity). Lucy escapes and all hell breaks loose. The government pulls out all the stops to find and exterminate this Diclonius. The plot also revolves around Kohta, a delusional young man with a dark past who starts maintaining his cousin’s family inn while going to school. Eventually, Kohta and Lucy meet and 13 twenty-four minute episodes of intensity ensue.











Elfen Lied contains thought provoking themes that delve into the more disturbing side of human psychosis. You find yourself contemplating the notions of ethics, discrimination, retribution, political conspiracy, and forgiveness. Some scenes can be very extreme and uncomfortable to watch and the plot can get exceptionally dark, touching on topics like child abuse and genocide. However, there is some much needed comic relief. This can go from horror to harem in a heartbeat. The gruesome bloodshed is balanced out by emotional, cute, lovey, dovey, interactions between the main characters. The parts that don’t having you waking up screaming for your mommy will have your teeth falling out from the over the top cute sweetness.
There are a couple negatives to this anime-
Since it is based off the Manga, which covers over 100 chapters, 13 episodes simply is not enough to have a satisfying ending. There are many questions left unanswered. The mystery of this whole anime can be frustrating.
There is a LOT of blood in this anime. I know this is animated fictional material but GOT DAMN! This is one of the bloodiest animes I’ve seen. Seems like everyone has 100 times as much blood as a normal human being. Is all that blood really necessary? This is not for the squeamish or sensitive.


A few positives of this anime-
Elfen Lied is somehow able to incorporate so many genres and themes while still being able to develop its characters efficiently within 13 episodes. The Anime will leave you hungry, so there is 100+ chapters of Manga to read that will give you a little more sustenance. You will laugh, you will cry, you may even perv out a little from all the nudity. But you will come to know and love the characters of this story and find yourself empathizing with some of their situations.
Also the musical score is hauntingly beautiful as it accurately reflects the tone and emotion of the scenes throughout the episodes.
All and all- this I would rate this 9/10 Sugar Cubes meaning that if you haven’t seen the first episode after reading this- You’re a LAME Overall- This anime is superb in all aspects. If this series had about 10 -15 more episodes it would damn near be perfection!