From what I've heard, Nyu has a split personality: an innocent side and a murderous side. In that way she sort of resembles Hikari from Kono Mini, however I think she may turn out to be a much stronger character. So I don't *think* she has lost her memory, but perhaps the shot was how the second personality was created.

Hmm I agree that this one looks a bit similar to Kono Mini, which is kind of worrying. For some reason I can just see that this will be one of those "a little bit of echi here" and "a little bit of violence there" kind of shows. Then repeat as necessary.

Well, I think it's the opening that had me hooked. The nudity, while present in the opening, was so very eloquent and fitting to the music played. In terms of the episodes violence and nudity, it's not even the least bit surprising to see in an ARMS animation (since they primarily do hentai, most well known for Mezzo Forte). I did see the resemblance to Kono, but Elfen Lied has a feel of its own. I think it'll take time for ARMS to really bring that feel completely out, but it's my hope that they will.

I'm not a well versed anime fan- however I still would like to share my comments about Elfen Lied.

I don't think the show is fantastic, but I enjoy the opening intro to the show-which portrays Elfen in the light of the art works of Gustav Klimt. It seems to me that as the show continues, the meaning and the relevance of the introductory theme comes into light. Both the intro and the ending theme songs sets the scene for both aspects of Elfen lied- we have a mystical/supernatural aspect of the divine, recreation & death mixed in with unrequited love.

I admit the mix of cutesy with violence may become less tasteful as the episodes go on, but all in all i still think elfen lied is a good anime that comments on the beauty of women and the ugliness of the wanton male's attraction.

I don't think it is that violent- sure there is a lot of blood splatter- but i think its artistic in its way that it examplifies the contrasting death with the innocense of life.

I've only seen up to episode 5, however I look forward to the rest of the episodes.

It would seem to me that the makers of Elfen Lied intentionally portrayed a stark dichotomy in virtually every aspect of the series. From the enigmatic 'Diclonious', the two horned humanistic creatures with fantastic powers and split personalities, to the rapid shifting between light comedy and gore laden horror. 'Nyuu'/Lucy is the perfect example of an ultimate dualistic nature. The one personality, Nyuu, is a light hearted innocent girl capable of saying only 'Nyuu'. Her simplistic good nature and ignorance remind one of a young child. Lucy, on the other hand, doesn't hesitate to rip off the heads and limbs of anyone that happens to get in her way (using her strange 'vectors', apparently a telekinetic ability unique to female diclonius).

The result of the dualistic nature of the series is that it puts you on an emotional roller coaster. Elfen Lied is perhaps a bit too much for the sensitive, but quite enjoyable for the hardened anime enthusiast. Beware, though, if you are incapable of watching child and/or animal violence. This is one of 3 anime series that I would give 10 stars out of 10.

I'm shure disapointed with this series.. The first episode left me siting in my chair absoulutly shocked with the convencion of pure, sacral music combined with dark and hevy action.. But watching the second and third episode left me with no delusion that the story line is very weak. The personality types are wery sharply shown, but still theyr missing on something deep. That makes all characters shallow and easly predicteble. After watching first two episodes and the last one thers no need to watch the middle, cuz anyone who had any contact with action anime can easly fill the stroy gap.

The main characters motivation, past and future can be easly predicted- probably cuz the crators show the ppl felings bare, with no mist of conspiracy or secret. Nyus split personality is no big invention, I might even say it was the easest way of leading this charakter. The girls who lost her arm and legs in the second episode- her behavior, her stupidty can easly cast a sharp image of her prsonality in our minds with no need to watch her in the other episodes.

IMO this anime is weak.. but it gains some points with the music , and the opening wich has its own climate- but maby it's the reason, why I felt so disapointed in the end: beautyful images and music from the intro wher not a preludium to a grater thing.. It was a bit of sweetnes to cover up the sour afterteast of the rest.

my comment to this film...is IIIIII lovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this movie its the best ever i almost cried about it if there is a level thing how good it is i will give it the top..no..the ultimate rang of best anime filmm...i love this film elfen lied rules..

I adored Elfen Lied. I loved the characters, the music, the storyline. It's a shame the anime is as short as it is though, I think they should've followed the manga just a bit longer, perhaps if they animated the whole thing I'd be happier. I thought the show was also a little horrifying at times, but that just made it even more fun to watch. -^___^-

ELFEN LIED!!!!! is the best anime ever created. EVERY ONE MUST SEE!!!!

I have some news..... they have finalized the english cast for dubbing.... i can't wait, but i hope it isn't censored in any way.... also theres supposed to be a 14th episode....

The author of this anime is a person who studied a lot of art, and the anime is not as simple as we seem, you may think why, let me answer you.

Judith seduces Holofernes and she returns to the city with his head. If you check the opening you will see that Nyu appears too similar to Judith in the painting of Gustav Klimt. Nyu is traveling around the world cutting heads (to have more info check also Salome)

Nyu is a good girl that wants like everybody (almost) to find happiness but she is corrupted by the society. I really love the idea.

In the end Kouta kissed Nyu, when i sawed that i just remembered Klimp again with "kiss" (I don’t remember the exactly name of that paint but in essence is the same)

Imagine the mysticism of the occidental religion in Japan, woooww, with the beautiful Castitatis Lilium, and defining that song I can say that I don’t have an idea of the genre. (Is not a Gregorian chant).

I spoke with a friend (Adan) about this anime, and the conclusion is that the anime is sensational.

( If you can see that something is wrong in the writing, don’t worry , English is not my native language [MX])

this anime is definately very gory and not suitable for younger ages, but i think it was really relaly sad. The art was fantastic, and the story line sad. Lucy from the beginning had a split personality i think. Becuase when they were kids, there was a nyu, and a Lucy as Kouta mentions in the last episdoe. Although lucy and Nyu have different personalities, both are in love with Kouta

Yeah the animation was beautiful and the theme song is crazy good. The only problem with the anime is that I have absolutly no affection for Lucy. Despite the incredible violence, sadly I want to keep watching. This is an anime you don't want someone else catching you watching! (Especially the first episode and if you're male. People would think you're watching anime porn or something. It's a good anime, but I'd give it a 3 out of 5. Violence and nudity doesn't do much for me. And I kow that the violence will only become more graphic and disturbing.

I think everybody that commented above just missed a little bit of the point of this series - the plot. There may be violence, but it's necessary. Same with the nudity. When you look at the series of a whole, you can see that it is not all pointless, although it may look that way from the standpoint of looking at each individual episode. Still, my impression of the series was very good, and certainly should go on at least some top lists, just because of the content, psychological things like that are really quite interesting if you care to look at them from that standpoint. A great anime, whatever you watch if for!

PPS, too bad it was licensed by ADV, but the dub job isn't all that bad, kudos go to the voice actors of Nyu/Lucy and Bandou!

Yes the dub is actually very good, i was very surprised that ADV didnt remove the nakedness such as the beach scene in episode 1. I would rate this anime 9.5/10

this is a great show even though i havent seen the last episode yet.i think one of the girls personalties killed koudas sister

I don't like this anime so far. >: (
What were those people thinking!? 'How do we get many people to watch the show? Right! We need Sex and Violence!!'

Well... It's okay to do that (because -sadly- they are right, that's what people want -_-) if there's still a good plot (which Elfen Lied is missing in my opinion) or if at least one of those aspects is taking the back seat. In this anime however, both aspects are really distinctive.
Maybe those people should have stuck with making porn-stuff. Or they should have made an action/science-fiction anime without nudity scenes - they really have no style (except for the opening). It's either ultra-violence or crappy fanservice. Both is too much. X_x

Plus there are already far too many animes with cute, half naked girls with cat like ears that only make stupid noises like 'nyan' and 'nyu' that have a dark and violant side or start a massacre all of a sudden.

The music is really good though... ;)

But that's only my opinion of course! Sorry for my bad english, by the way.

Hello!i am from Russia and i like Elfen Lied!!It is very cool anime..very!