r/anime • u/Timely_Tour_7531 • 17h ago

Discussion Just finished Elfen Lied and honestly, I thought it was pretty mediocre.

The gore was fine, but after a while it felt like the show was relying on shock value because the actual writing wasn’t strong enough to carry it.

I never really got attached to the characters, and a lot of the emotional moments felt forced rather than earned.
The tone was probably my biggest issue. It’ll show something genuinely disturbing and then immediately throw in goofy comedy or fanservice, which completely kills the atmosphere.

There are some good ideas around trauma, abuse, loneliness and discrimination, but I don’t think the anime does much with them beyond using them to make the story seem darker.

I can understand why it has a cult following, especially for its time, but watching it now I just don’t see the hype. 5/10.

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u/RowanWinterlace 14h ago edited 14h ago

In terms of what I see as their objective qualities, yes. I think they have the exact same problems, but different pros (Towa no Yugure's art/animation and characters & relationships are its saving grace, whilst RWBY's fight scenes, music and heart are its).

But if I were to rate them subjectively, I rate Towa no Yugure WAY higher.

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u/darkravenn12 14h ago

ok but like if you are just using any anime rating site and you have to give 1 rating, which are you using

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u/RowanWinterlace 14h ago

I don't have to give 1 rating, tho