Elfen Lied

The most violent, gory, psycho, and depressing manga in history, Elfen Lied is truly grotesque and undeniably depressing. However, its storytelling is nothing short of amazing and incredibly enjoyable. Be forewarned, though; these 107 chapters are the most brutal and disheartening you'll ever read. Every page is intense, but it's an extraordinary manga that every manga enthusiast should experience. Elfen Lied boasts remarkable storytelling and stands as an epic masterpiece.

Reading Elfen Lied feels like a mental assault. Despite containing intriguing ideas and concepts, the story is dreadfully executed, and most characters will drive you up the wall. The sheer number of meaningless deaths made me indifferent to any significant character's demise halfway through the manga. The protagonist is utterly bland, and Lucy/Nyu could have been fascinating if not for her wildly inconsistent characterization. Nana and Bandou are the only somewhat tolerable characters. And don't even get me started on the fan-service; it becomes jarringly out of place and irritating, done in poor taste.

A much better-executed manga with similar themes is Deadman Wonderland. Consider reading that instead.

Time to dive into some controversy. *Rubs hands together* Let's go.

Given Elfen Lied’s popularity and cult following, I decided to give it a shot. After all, it had elements I love in anime: cute pink-haired killers, gore, and an amazing theme song. Seriously, the Elfen Lied opening is fantastic; I listened to it even before watching the show. Check it out—it's beautiful.

Many fans prefer the manga over the anime due to its extensive 100+ chapters compared to just 12 episodes. Assuming the manga offered more depth and character study, I downloaded it and read most of it within a week at school.

I really wanted to enjoy this story. But here's why I couldn't stand many aspects of this manga, much to my dismay. I'll be as specific as possible.

Story
My score: 3

Elfen Lied has a generic plot that could have been developed interestingly. For those unfamiliar, it centers on Lucy, a young woman created through experiments to be a killer. She’s a Diclonius, a breed with cat-like horns capable of producing invisible limbs to tear apart men. Lucy endured intense childhood torture, using her powers to escape the lab and hide from the government, killing when necessary. During her escape, she suffered a concussion, causing her personality to switch between innocent and murderous without realizing it.

The story focuses on Lucy and other Diclonius girls like Nana and Mariko seeking refuge from government violations. They cross paths and confide in Kouka, a boy whose mother runs an inn. You can guess where this is going.

I don’t hate harems, and Elfen Lied had potential for one. A boy taking care of wounded monster girls, teaching them social skills? That sounds cute! But despite occasional endearing moments, the harem was ridiculous.

The gratuitous nudity felt unearned and cheap. The scientists’ actions were absurd and almost comical, lacking motives or explanation for creating the Diclonius. The gore was shock value only, making no sense narratively. Every woman was sexualized, every man evil with no personality. The "world is cruel" theme was exaggerated and unbelievable. Characters weren’t relatable, making the message ineffective. The pacing was choppy, and the ending rushed and confusing. Overall, the story was edgy but jumbled.

Art
My score: 6

The backgrounds, especially lab scenes, were decent. Lucy’s kill scenes were well-drawn. However, the characters looked too shoujo for a seinen manga, making it laughable. Despite nice designs for Nana, Mayu, and Lucy, they felt out of place. The scientists had generic designs, making them indistinguishable.

Characters
My score: 3

Starting with Lucy: her killer form was badass, but her "cute" form was unbearable. The "nyu" thing aimed for moe appeal but was annoying. Lucy’s cute form often molested and stripped others but got away with it due to ignorance. Character development near the end improved her soft side slightly, but the bipolarity felt weak. Her killer side was brutal, her sweet side saccharine. She lacked development, killing people throughout with no progression. Lucy had potential but felt unrelatable, unrealistic, and unlikable.

Nana and Mayu were fine, sweet, and likable. Their backstories evoked sympathy, but more development would have improved them. Kouka was generic, bland, and only served Lucy’s development. Yuka was annoying, serving only for fanservice and harem competition. Scientists were stereotypical villains with no personalities. Arakawa, the female scientist, was boring fanservice. Overall, the cast felt like plot devices.

Enjoyment
My score: 5

Why such a high score despite issues? Honestly, despite being dumb and aggravating, it was entertaining. Reading was fun, though groan-worthy, like a Michael Bay movie.

Overall
My score: 3.5

Elfen Lied could have been better. Its story and gore were generic and over-the-top. Characters were mostly cheesy and annoying with little development. Art was decent but character designs out of place. The story felt flimsy and rushed. Still, give it a shot. Pink-haired killers are cool, and reading it was a ride.

This is my first review...and I never thought I'd be making one for a manga/anime! Typically, I favor anime over manga, but Elfen Lied changed that. After watching the anime, I found it to be among my top 10 favorites—it was incredible. Later, I discovered that the manga has a different ending and is more complete than the anime. Initially hesitant to start reading, I only read the first few pages to get a sense of it. I was instantly hooked. I devoured the pages rapidly and finished the entire manga in just a few days. The characters resonated with me deeply, and the final chapter left me feeling enlightened and brought a tear to my eye. Reading this manga left me feeling both empty and fulfilled.

For anyone who has watched the Elfen Lied anime, I highly recommend reading the manga as well. I believe the manga's storytelling is significantly better than the anime's. Thanks!

This review contains spoilers. Elfen Lied is a manga that attempts to be profound but ultimately fails due to its atrocious storyline. It's merely a collection of blood, pointless ecchi, and irritating characters.

Storyline:

The storyline is dark, but it isn't deep as people claim. Lucy and other diclonius were abused in some psycho ward place. So what? Lucy got bullied by some kids and they even killed her puppy. That's not sad at all. Why? Because she killed innocent people who did nothing to her. Why didn't she just kill the bullies? The true purpose of this storyline is to add blood everywhere. "Well, it's Elfen Lied! What did you expect?" I expected depth, not poor excuses to kill everyone on sight. Furthermore, these excuses are useless since diclonius are an alien species that kills humans instinctively. You call those people in laboratories bad, but are the Dicloni any better? Seeing them chop off heads, arms, and pull hearts from people's chests, I think not. This storyline uses these excuses to appear deep, but I'm no fool. All this manga really is a bloody mess you see right at the beginning. It's also full of ecchi for teenage pervs. The romance is pointless because nobody could love someone who killed their family. Why add romance anyway? For the pervs and that self-insert dude who can't live a real life. This storyline is disgusting.

Characters:

Kouta:

He's a bland, self-insert character. There's not much to say about him. He is very annoying for some reason.

Lucy/Nyuu:

Lucy is a diclonius and the true main character, not (Wait. What's his name again? Kouta! That's right!) Kouta. Her background is pointless. It's only there to make the story look deep. Her puppy getting killed has nothing to do with killing someone accidentally bumping into you. If your grandmother died in your childhood, does that give you an excuse to run around killing people like a loser playing Grand Theft Auto? No! Lucy is an alien that kills humans anyway, making anything in her background pointless. Nyuu is Lucy's other form, making her innocent like a baby. Literally! She can't even change her own clothes. Her only purpose is to satisfy the pervy dudes watching the show, which is very sad because she is innocent. Maybe that's why she's killing people. It makes more sense than her true reasons.

Yuka:

She is Kouta's cousin who is also in love with him. She is below pointless. She's one of those useless crybabies who should be completely removed from the show. She doesn't even have a known background. That's all there is to say about her.

Art:

Whoever drew horns so badly, they made them look visually identical to cat ears should go back to art school. A first grader could draw better. Then again, it could've been to make them look better for those pervy otaku.

Enjoyment:

I had a hard time reading this manga for two reasons. 1. I couldn't stay hooked and had to force myself to watch it. 2. I couldn't read this anywhere because people could peer at the pages and think I'm some pedophile reading pervy, bloody comics. I did not enjoy this at all.

Conclusion: This manga is horrible. I said it. HORRIBLE! I suggest you don't watch this if A. You are intelligent enough to notice these errors B. You don't like a pointless anime that only shows blood and nude girls. If you like what you saw at the beginning, enjoy! Just know that it isn't deep, and definitely away from being a masterpiece.

[I rewrote this review because I feel it wasn't detailed enough.]

I'm terrible at writing reviews, but here goes. Elfen Lied is a manga that, in my opinion, truly brings out the raw nature of humanity. When people encounter something different, their first instinct seems to be to destroy it, right? I'm sure many other reviews touch on similar themes. This series raises numerous issues that make me choke up—bullying, devices designed to curb a race's murderous impulses, using sentient beings as mere science experiments, and so much more. It’s a cruel creation, light-hearted at times, yet it takes dramatic turns frequently, keeping you on edge. I highly recommend this to fans of more hardcore, dramatic content. Also, the anime adaptation leaves out so much; the manga is far superior. That's all.

Elfen Lied – Spoiler Free – Recommended

TLDR
Story – 8/10 – 8 x 0.275 = 2.2
Art – 8/10 – 8 x 0.2 = 1.6
Characters – 7/10 – 7 x 0.225 = 1.575
Enjoyment – 8/10 – 8 x 0.3 = 2.4
Total: 7.775 -> 8

Story – 8/10
Elfen Lied offers a compelling narrative that unfolds consistently throughout the manga. It's challenging to pinpoint specific highlights, but the concluding segments are particularly strong and filled with memorable moments. The story captivates readers from the outset, and the premise is well-constructed. However, there are some issues. The manga heavily incorporates sexual undertones, sometimes involving assault or abuse, which can be integral to certain characters' backgrounds but often seem unnecessary or gratuitous. Panels depicting underage characters in compromising positions are frequent and serve no narrative purpose. Additionally, plot armor is a significant problem, with characters presumed dead reappearing conveniently later on. The ending was disappointing, squandering an otherwise excellent penultimate chapter.

Art – 8/10
The artwork in Elfen Lied is solid if not exceptional. Some panels are striking, and the action sequences are easy to follow. The backgrounds are simple yet effective. A drawback is the similarity in design among female characters, though this is less of an issue with the male cast.

Characters – 7/10
This aspect feels like the manga's weakest link. Most characters, aside from standouts like Bando, Kouta, Lucy, and Kurama (my favorite), lack depth and memorability. The relatively small cast helps mitigate this somewhat. Secondary characters mainly serve as support for the leads. Many characters are underage, leading to pervasive themes of sexualization, which detracts from their development. Despite this, key figures like Lucy and Kurama are well-crafted and engaging.

Enjoyment – 8/10
Reading Elfen Lied is an undeniably enjoyable experience. The tension keeps readers hooked, and individual character arcs add depth to the overall narrative. If anything could be improved, it would be reducing the excessive sexualization, which doesn't enhance the story. Apart from this, the manga is gripping and fascinating. Overall, it's worth recommending, primarily for its storyline.

At first glance, Elfen Lied appears to be a disaster. The artwork is mediocre at best. It seems like just another ecchi/harem series with gratuitous gore, and I'm not particularly fond of any of these elements. Moreover, some characters, like Bandou, are poorly constructed, and many of the organization's security plans seem absurdly unrealistic.

However, one should never judge a book by its cover. What initially seems shallow and simplistic turns out to be merely the beginning of an extraordinary narrative.

This manga boasts a highly intricate background, delving into themes such as prejudice, instincts, and human nature. What once appeared to be an excuse for violence and female nudity reveals itself to be far more intellectually stimulating than anticipated. The storytelling is clear, straightforward, and direct (without filler content).

There are numerous flashbacks and speeches, yet none feel overly expositional or forced. They flow seamlessly, even when tackling heavy themes and situations. Furthermore, surprises lurk around every corner. You'll often find yourself in disbelief at what transpires. Predicting the next twist is nearly impossible, and the outcomes rarely disappoint.

Certain characters undergo remarkable development (while others remain disposable and pointless). Lucy, Nana, and Kurama stand out in particular. Even the artwork improves, occasionally becoming quite beautiful. As you delve deeper into Elfen Lied, you'll find yourself increasingly engrossed, often without realizing it. Once it grabs hold of you, it doesn't let go until the very end. And what an ending! Despite a few aspects of the final chapter that didn't sit well with me, it was likely one of the best conclusions I've experienced. I remain in awe of it.

Unfortunately, I can't give Elfen Lied a perfect score due to some significant flaws. The author's cruelty from the outset becomes almost comical at times, diminishing some emotional impact. The biggest issue, however, is the author's tendency to pretend characters are dead rather than actually killing them off. Most of these instances make little sense. Characters miraculously survive, and given the violent nature of the story, it's easy to discern who truly dies. If you haven't seen their heads fly off, chances are they're still alive. This obviously detracts from the reader's experience.

In summary, Elfen Lied is a masterpiece—cruel and beautiful simultaneously. I can't guarantee you'll enjoy it, but here's my assurance: you probably won't encounter anything quite like it anytime soon.

Elfen Lied is the single most impactful manga I've had the pleasure to read. It shows how a person can destroy many lives without noticing it, how innocence can clash with violence, and that life is fragile. If you don't cherish it enough, it can easily slip away into thin air.

The story of Elfen Lied is characterized by sheer violence, blood, pain, suffering, and illness—representing many people's lives out there. It illustrates how time, if not cherished, evaporates like glass and never returns. It also highlights companionship, compassion, love, unconcern, and the harmony of having a family. This unique bond can be the main reason we wake up each day, living our lives to the fullest and making the most out of every moment.

In the story, there's a clash between different factors. The Diclonius are superior beings capable of cutting off heads using invisible hands that form part of their bodies. Born to dominate the world, they present a real threat to humanity and any living being. They are more intelligent, stronger, better-looking, and physically prepared to hold the key to a united kingdom encompassing the entire world.

The characters are well-represented in the story. Kouta is a boy who meets a friend during childhood but doesn't seem to remember important events from his life. Lucy, a Diclonius, has a dual personality: one an innocent girl named Nyu Kaede, incapable of extended conversations, and the other a monster filled with hatred towards humanity due to her mistreatment as a child. Nana cherishes her "papa" like there's no tomorrow, Mayu is a little girl welcomed into Kouta's house, and Yuka, Kouta's relative, admires him deeply.

The art is exceptional, with panels that depict the atmosphere felt throughout the story. The characters have unique designs, and the use of light and shadows is masterfully managed. Every piece fits together perfectly, bringing the story to life as a work of art.

This series is truly legendary. Everything feels meticulously constructed with meaning and purpose. The story and characters are remarkable, making it one of the most accomplished works in the history of the medium. It gives us the real meaning of what a legend is. Reading its pages was an experience beyond description, and the only way to understand its impact is to experience it yourself.

Elfen Lied. This was an anime/manga I've been eager to finish for quite some time. Having completed it, I decided to write a detailed review of the series. As a newcomer to reviews, I hope my insights will assist you in deciding whether or not to delve into it.

Story:

I found the overall narrative highly captivating. The concept of diclonii and their invisible arms was intriguing. The backstories of the characters, especially Lucy's, were well-crafted and provided clarity on each character's development. The initial lab escape scene alone is enough to hook anyone. My sole issue with the story was the unexplained origin of "Nyu." In the first volume, Lucy gets shot in the head, leading to amnesia. However, it remains unclear why she reverts to a child-like state, repeatedly saying "nyu," and switches back to her original personality upon head trauma. Apart from this minor flaw, I believe the story was excellent throughout.

Rating: 8/10

Characters:

This aspect of the series had more flaws than others. While I enjoyed most characters, the two main ones posed the biggest problems. Kouta, the male protagonist, played a significant role in Lucy's backstory but mostly embodied a stereotypical, bland, "dense" male harem lead. Though the series wasn't strictly a "harem," as not all female characters liked the protagonist or served fanservice, it occasionally gave off those vibes.

Yuka, another character I disliked, constantly portrayed the extremely jealous love interest and was generally unlikable. She'd become emotional over any small thing Kouta did.

The other characters, however, were likable to varying degrees. My favorites were Lucy and Nana. Lucy was the most dynamic character, and despite being a "villain," her past trauma explained her mindset. She wasn't purely good or evil. Nana acted as a foil to Lucy. Despite similar mistreatment, Professor Kurama's fatherly love made her more optimistic and "innocent." Although some reviewers find her "annoying," I think she's a sweet, likable girl who developed significantly throughout the series.

Rating: 6/10

Art:

The artwork wasn't exceptional but remained fairly good. The anime's art was slightly better, while the manga maintained a decent style. Character designs were also well executed.

Rating: 7/10

Overall thoughts:

I consider Elfen Lied a great manga. It was enjoyable to read, and I recommend it to science fiction manga enthusiasts. While imperfect, it's an above-average series. My overall enjoyment rates at 9/10, but critically, I give it a 7/10.

(This is my first manga review, sorry if it's not helpful.)

Elfen Lied, a manga by Lynn Okamoto, was published from 2002 to 2005, consisting of twelve collected volumes, and has an anime adaptation. It's regarded as one of the goriest series ever. Believe it or not, I truly enjoyed this series.

I initially got into Elfen Lied through the anime, which hooked me by the second episode. After finishing the anime, I craved more. Discovering it was based on a manga, and that the anime and manga differ, I promptly began reading it. If I had to describe the manga in one sentence, I'd say it's "A rollercoaster of emotions."

Story 10/10
The story effortlessly captivated me; it's original and well-written. The anime left many questions unanswered, but the manga resolves most of them. However, regarding the manga's ending, I found it quite confusing and am still trying to decipher it today. The story does progress at a somewhat slow pace.

Art 8/10
Many people criticize the art quality, and I agree that the first volume isn't the best. Yet, from volume ten onwards, the art transformed, becoming very sci-fi and detailed. Don't believe me? Compare the art from volume one with volume twelve and notice the differences.

Characters 9/10
This story excels in character development and backstory, explaining why characters behave as they do. My favorite character is Lucy, mainly because she's one of the best-written characters I've encountered. The supporting characters are likable (except Yuka). Nana, for instance, serves as comic relief and handles her role well. Even side villains like Kurama or Bando are likable despite their horrific actions.

Enjoyment 8/10
If you're uncomfortable with limbs being torn off or dismemberment, this story might not suit you. It's incredibly gory, possibly more than any other manga I've read. There's also significant nudity, so if you dislike seeing cute girls naked, this might not be your type of story. The amount of nudity nearly qualifies it as hentai. The story also addresses issues such as pedophilia and societal treatment of those who are different.

Overall 10/10
I personally enjoyed this manga, understanding that some may dislike it due to its graphic violence and nudity. I liked this story because it differs from others I've read. If you seek a dark tale with sad moments, Elfen Lied is perfect for you.

Thanks for reading my review :)

When I first heard about Elfen Lied, the two things that stood out to me were 'Nudity and Gore,' even before I began watching the anime. After completing the 12-episode series, I moved on to read the manga.

The 'story' is unique because it revolves around a new species, rather than reusing existing types like ninjas, pirates, or demons. The Diclonius and their abilities are distinctive and unlike anything I've seen in other anime or manga. The manga's narrative shocked me, evoked strong emotions, and held my interest until the very end.

The 'art' of Elfen Lied isn't particularly remarkable. It has its own style, but it didn't stand out to me as exceptional. I wouldn't say the art is poor, but it lacks detail or any standout features. While I won't remember the manga for its art, its compelling story will stick with me.

The 'characters' in Elfen Lied are quite diverse, which I appreciate. However, given the series' reputation for gore, some characters' deaths were expected. That wasn't an issue for me, but the nudity and certain character interactions were discomforting. For example, there are pairings involving incest or pedophilia, though not explicitly sexual, that made me uneasy. Each character undergoes significant development and receives proper closure by the end.

After finishing the manga, I had no regrets about reading it. The ending stirred up emotions, especially when I listened to the anime's ending theme on my phone. There are some unanswered questions about how certain characters returned and the nature of the 'happy ending.' It blends sadness and happiness, which I ultimately enjoyed.

Despite its flaws—such as the art and disturbing relationships—I overall liked the story!