Forum - View topic

REVIEW: Elfen Lied DVD 1

Perhaps the lesser offense is more shocking because it isn't so commonplace?

If macabre, dark tragedies and disturbing studies of the decadent human condition is what inspires you, then try seeing Neon Genesis Evangelion first. Then watch Grave of the Fireflies, Gantz, Alien Nine, Berserk, and Narutaru, all of which employ and depict violence more stylishly yet purposefully to make a point about the inescapable and ever present human suffering, of which the human is the sole cause.

So are you an official anime reviewer? You should be one if you aren't already.

Hmph. This biased review is in need of some balancing towards the other extreme of bias.

HitokiriShadow wrote:

I'm a tad concerned about what changes they made to the subtitles, but I'm sure its nothing major.

I'm curious as to what you mean by that. Are you referring to fansubs vs. licensed subtitles?

As a general comment, anyone who gets the artbox should look at its cover very carefully and at different angles and lighting conditions, as there are hidden details. That's not in the review because I discovered it after turning in the review, and it got processed (with shocking speed, I might add) before I had a chance to go back and add it in.

Also, let's be absolutely clear about one thing: my review was based exclusively on the first volume - not on the whole series, like yours seems to be. I have not even seen the rest of the series yet, so it's possible my outlook on the series will change after I see the rest of it.

Hmph. This biased review is in need of some balancing towards the other extreme of bias.

How could that possibly bother you more thenspoiler[a child being sexually assualted] and spoiler[innocent children and adults being slaughtered]? Is it something to do with it being animated and being used to seeing the one over the other? What I really don't understand is the ones that feel that way in real life situations.

There's no way for me to change my natural reaction anyway, no matter how much I'm lectured at; it's just the way I am, so cut me a break, please.

Kazuki-san wrote:

Cloe wrote: Just something about spoiler[animals suffering] makes my heart ache like nothing else. I'm often confused when people say things like that. How could that possibly bother you more thenspoiler[a child being sexually assualted] and spoiler[innocent children and adults being slaughtered]? Is it something to do with it being animated and being used to seeing the one over the other? What I really don't understand is the ones that feel that way in real life situations.

Personally, I think it has more to do with people being jaded with human nature in general. Additionally, I think people are tired and somewhat desensitized of hearing the same things in the news all the time. Perhaps the lesser offense is more shocking because it isn't so commonplace?

Bias may also be taken as a preference or inclination. The reviewer's opening remarks makes apparent his predisposition towards the type of material in which Elfen Lied is manifest. While he does consider the possibility of a viewer's repulsion, he dismisses it as simply induced by the mere graphical nature that is its shock value. But because the show lacks substance, and is indeed desperate in the areas I've identified and elaborated upon, its shock value would be the only element that would compel any committment to further viewing. It is on this level that I've discerned a "bias", and this in fact is the same preconditioning that viewers who are so drawn to the series find themselves to be so. I am not establishing that it is uncouth for people to find this series enjoyable for what it is, a shocker (note the first sentence of my review). But I deny and debunk the attributing of superlative execution when the character development and relational interaction, the title's second most vital element after shock value, is incoherent and the premise that mischaracterizes the Diclonius' supremacy as simply being monsters is a recycled idea.

Pretentious am I? Given that I am but a mere consumer no more significant than another suggesting an unsolicited opposing view point while not even a staff reviewer and well aware that I am in the minority with the position I hold, I suppose one can say that. But not as pretentious as the creator/adaptor of Elfen Lied is by mixing together a number of seen and tried situations hoping that the result will be an original product. By allowing Neopoletan ice cream to melt, you only get strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla mixed together, not a new flavor of ice cream.

Now, to conclude that my own bias against Elfen Lied stems from ADV's faultering committment to earlier acquired and distributed titles that I prefer suggests that my profound exposition of Elfen Lied's short comings had not been read or were just cast aside. No, Elfen Lied, even outside of ADV's acquisition to distribution rights as well as their production backing to whatever degree, would be more enjoyable had it been honest and direct about its pursuit of the harem angle, or rendered meaning to the violence and death that it depicts by introducing characters that are endowed with some level of realism in their growth.

I am an appreciative consumer of anime and recognize that as small as I am I have value by contributing to the industry's fiscal health. I have bought my first volume with limited edition box of Elfen Lied, despite my own grudges against the licensor for breach of consumer expectation concerning the two titles I've come to love and determine to be more marketable by appealing to a wider audience even though they obviously disagree with me. But I profess that my review is not based on the first volume but the entire series. Having seen the entire broadcast run, I am privy to the title's progression throughout and limiting my observations within the scope of the first four episodes would be counterproductive. Furthermore, the title's commercial success gambles on its "strong impact", but it has campaigned on creating this impact out of questionable material content. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate the merits of this title by clearly identifying those who are predisposed to enjoying it.

Now if I'm wrong in any area, please point it out. For to be corrected is to my own benefit. And if anybody can give me some satisfying news about the other two ADV titles that have been all but abandoned, please feel free to share that tidbit even if it were only to dissuade my bitter perception of a licensor that has quite justifiably garnered the reputation in my view.