Higashi no Eden: Highly original

Written by Little_Wolf-18 on April 28, 2012 at 3:55 PM

STORY: Definitely a change from the usual, short but mostly unpredictable. Playing on moral dilemmas, showing how acts of bravery can turn on you, implying how money can make the world go right (or wrong), and questioning how far someone will go for their ideals of righteousness, this is definitely more complex than many other anime I've stumbled about. Lots of mysteries and conspiracies in the background are solved bit by bit without spoiling the whole storyline; however, some things stay hazy and complicated, so it can get confusing at times. Very beginning seems a bit kiddy and like a weird take on a fairy tale, though that fades quickly. Biggest downside may be the end as it doesn't really wrap anything up but instead takes a circular take back to the beginning, which for me just doesn't work in anime (sorry). For further closure, you might have to watch the movies.
Well-done characters with good development and dynamics though for such a short series, even if many side characters stay somewhat in the shade.
DIALOGUE: Not extraordinary but easy to follow with overall good flow.
ANIMATION: Latest quality, with some funny effects. Personally, I was a bit annoyed at how they showed naked guys everywhere and tried to cover up their private parts with white spots. They really coulda left the guys their underwear. (The effect looks like someone had gone through the pic with a paint program eraser. A dark pic teeming with white spots is supposed to be hilarious or what? Only gave me a headache =.=°)
ENTERTAINMENT: Smart-witted comedy, not over-the-top, but suspense and character development were good enough to leave me on the edge of my seat for the whole length of this anime. Certainly a breath of air from generic! Complex, thought-provoking and sometimes amusing :) Would not state this as a good startoff into the anime world, but it's a definitely recommended watch for any mystery/suspense lover not minding a touch of weirdness.

The anime under its English name is here: http://anime-access.com/anime/E/Eden_of_the_East_%28TV%29 (just an FYI). Full review here: http://anime-access.com/anime/E/Eden_of_the_East_%28TV%29/reviews/id/19671#review but I dare say I've made my point.

Thank you for reading.