Higashi no Eden

(TLDR at the bottom, thanks for reading.) Eden of the east is a story of many parts that never seem to come together to make one cohesive whole. It has some interesting ideas about social and economic issues which form the backbone of the story. But then there are many other bits tacked on like a death game plot that is way more complicated than it should be, many different groups of people for the economics bit to bounce off. Everything is slightly off kilter giving some of the events a slightly surreal/dream-like atmosphere and a few other bits. But these events don't come together and seem to get in the way of each other. On a social/economic level, the show is about the issue of NEET's (not in education, employment or training). Mainly focusing on the millennial generation, Eden of the east shows us the Eden group, a group of wildly diverse people who have made an extremely successful app but are still on a job hunt as they cannot market the app properly. Eden of the east tackles this is by giving twelve people, called seleção, 10 billion yen and allowing them to do whatever they wish with it. The main character Takizawa uses a method called pump up economics. He uses his money to help the bottom of society in an attempt to give them an opportunity to make something of themselves. In contrast to the other seleção's that are using different economic tactics to solve this issue. Putting them in direct conflict with Takizawa. Well, that is what the show should have been. Instead, it focuses way too much on the death game mystery plot. The Eden group are never used in a way to show the themes of the story but as a way to solve the mysteries the series throws its way, this has the side effects of having them just being a group that sit around and talk about the other seleção's actions. It is normally all for nought anyway as the plot is mainly driven by Takizawa's spontaneous actions. This show doesn't even work as a death game plot either as many of the seleção isn't even relevant so to the story and the show just ends up focusing on a few. While the show can be a blast when it is spurred on by Takizawa's impulsive actions and the surreal events the follow. It also can (at times) effectively sprinkle in its social themes by showing the issues of the side characters. But the show also falls apart when it's death game plot is concerned. If the director knew where the appeal of the series lay and just cleaned up the script a bit then the show would be better as a whole, but as it stands the show is full of a really good moment and some not so good moments. There is also a few other issues, like with the pacing. The show starts out quite episodic and it is quite enjoyable like this but due to this the show can't tell its story and then leaves the ending of the tv anime extremely unsatisfying. No the films aren't any better. TLDR: Eden of the east has some good moments but is let down by some not so good moments.

"Noblesse Oblige" 12 members. All given 10 billion. Tasked to save Japan. The trial full of johnnies and excitement with some drama and romance to spice it up. Higashi no Eden, Eden Of The East is an Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Drama, Romance and Thriller anime with a captivating plot and a significant amount of amusement that will no doubt make the watchers of the show intrigued and proceed with the anime until the end of its purpose. Higashi no Eden is similar to one of those anime where it starts off quite dull but gets better and better as you advanced through the story. The only reason why this show is not rated above 8.0 is because people may argue that this show is just like one of those mystery anime with cliches. However, if they are able to overlook that minor complication and just enjoy the anime then they would be able to understand how magnificent this anime actually is and its capability of actually becoming something along the lines of a masterpiece. This anime was inside my plan to watch ever since I made a MAL account. The cause of why I avoided this anime up until now is because of the MAL thumbnail of this anime looks like something that my dad would watch when he was young. Without even reading the synopsis nor check the trailer. I distanced myself away from this anime and watched other shows in my PTW up until the point where I became conscious of the fact that there is less and less good shows out there that I can watch. This circumstance lead to me scrolling up and down my PTW with extreme effort. Gathering anything that is good which is left in my PTW. That is when I met this anime again. The unattractive thumbnail of the anime made me looked away, but reluctantly, I felt as if the anime may have the potential to join my 10/10s so I decided to check the show out first by watching the trailer. Results? Well, I was enthralled by it and immediately jumped into the anime. Anddd~ you probably know what happens next after I completed the show. Yes. Well.. that's why I'm writing a review for this show anyways. Lmao. Good story, Good art, Good sound, Good character. This anime is perfect and exactly what I needed in order to lighten up my mood from dying from stupid Orcs in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. This anime kinds of test your patience. If you are able to continue the story then you'd be rewarded. I shed tears of joy at the final episode because of the well-executed plot and the somewhat catchy music that fits with the scene. Oh, not to mention. The opening is also a fine piece of art. It's English but I love it. This anime is really great. I recommend this to everyone. Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Drama, Romance, Thriller. If there's one genre you're looking for then you might as well try this anime despite the fact that it may have other genres that you might be uninterested in ( I started this anime because of the "romance" tag but I got more than what I wanted; shattering the scale of my expectations into fragments ). Thank you for reading my review. Please put this review as "helpful" if you found my review beneficial in any way. That is all. - Agent_Redacted

Do you like animes that make you think? Want something that'll give you something no other anime has given you? Then Higashi No Eden is for you, for those reasons and more! Basically, without trying to spoil anything, you have Akira Takizawa, a guy who has had his memory wiped and knows nothing of himself, standing in front of the White House naked with a gun and a cell phone. Then you have Saki Morimi, a normal girl who had never met Takizawa now about to be dragged into this whole mess surrounding him. Why was he at the White House? Why did he have a gun and a phone? Why doesn't he know anything about himself? It's honestly an amazing anime with a fantastic movie (King of Eden), I recommend this anime to anybody who likes suprises, romance and a plot to really make you think. An AWESOME anime, the only downside being that to understand every last detail, you should probably watch King Of Eden too. But after watching this series, you'll want to! ^_^ I recommend it to you strongly!! :D RukaMi

EDIT AS OF 9/1/2011: This review has been updated to reflect my thoughts on the Japanese dub and both movie sequels. This covers everything Eden of the East-related Eden of the East, or Higashi no Eden, is a series that began as an eleven-episode tv series created by Kenji Kamiyama, the director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and developed by Production I.G. It is followed up by two movie sequels. I had the chance to sample this series on Funimation.com not too long ago. Just based off of that sampling, I went ahead and bought the series on blu-ray, and I'm glad I did. This series is a Tom Clancy-esque thriller of the highest caliber. Story: A girl named Saki Morimi is touring Washington D.C. when she encounters a strange young man who is completely naked, holding a revolver in one hand, and a cell phone in the other. The man claims that he doesn't know who he is, nor can he remember anything, except for Hollywood movies strangely enough. Saki gets inadvertently pulled into his escapades. She finds out that he is Akira Takizawa, a man on the run from Japanese authorities. Not only that, he is a Selecao, one of 12 chosen few who is armed with a cell phone connected to a 10 billion yen bank account. With it, he can contact a woman named Juiz who can basically make anything happen. It's much more complex than that, but the story of Eden of the East is highly engrossing, intelligent, and taut. There is absolutely no filler of any sort; every scene serves a purpose. But there is also great mystery too: who are the Selecao? How did they come into possession of their almighty phones? Is Akira really a wanted terrorist? And why was he exposing his "Johnny" in D.C.? The only downside is by the end of the second movie, I found a plot hole. I can't go in detail about it, since I would be giving away crucial plot points, but there is something that wasn't properly explained. Because of this, I deducted my original story score of 10 to a "mere" 9. Nonetheless, there are no pacing issues here, no padding, no fanservice that feels out of place, and I also liked the endings (all three of them), and for that, I give it a 9/10. Art: The animation quality is superb. No off-models shots anywhere, and if you watch it on blu-ray, you can appreciate just how sumptuous the background art is. There is some CGI used, and sometimes, it's jarring when used alongside hand-drawn illustrations, but other times, it looks great. The character designs are good. Some of the female characters, like Saki, look more like they belong in a Miyazaki movie than a Production I.G. series, but most of the characters have a distinct appearance, and they do their part. But seriously, watch this on blu-ray on a 1080 monitor; I guarantee that your eyes will have an orgasm. 10/10. Sound: The soundtrack is . . . okay, I guess. It punctuates more serious moments, but it's nothing special. The first episode on blu-ray plays Falling Down, a song by Oasis, in the opening sequence; it's a pretty cool song, and a perfect theme for a show like Eden of the East. However, Funimation could only license Falling Down for one episode; the replacement for the other episodes is forgettable. I first saw this in English, and I can say that the English dub is satisfactory. The characters sound their part. A few of the minor characters give off a few unenthusiastic line reads, but otherwise, it's really good. However, there is a shout-out I must give: Jason Liebrecht as Akira. He. Is. Brilliant. In the role. He is pitch-perfect as the hero. It's his best performance, I think. I have also sampled the Japanese dub. Akira doesn't sound as good, but some other characters sound better; Saki sounds right in both dubs. I support both dubs; it really boils down to whether you prefer subs or dubs. 8/10. Characterization: The show only runs for 11 episodes and two films, so you won't get the depth from, say, a show like Eureka Seven, but the characters are well-defined. Akira is laid-back and confident, which is a contrast to Saki, who's more low-key in comparison. The other Selecao all have their own motives and personalities, and Saki's friends, who play an important role as the series progresses, are all charming and interesting in their own way. To quote tvtropes dot com, there are no "Scrappies", or characters that you end up hating for the wrong reasons. Everyone and everything is well-written. 9/10. Enjoyment: Wow. After seeing Darker Than Black, Ponyo, and Clannad earlier this year (of 2010, even though the recent edits are dated 2011), I didn't think I'd see another anime this year that I'd give a 10. Boy, was I wrong. Eden of the East is engaging, witty, insightful, perfectly paced, and overall a highly fun and enjoyable series to watch. It's shows like this that remind me why I love animation. 10/10 If you're bored of all the tiresome high school comedies and formulaic shonen series that have dominated anime for the last few years, then give Eden of the East a shot. It's a refreshing breath of fresh air, and solid proof that creativity in anime isn't dead yet.

I have no real idea why I like this anime. But I know I like it. Perhaps it is because I don’t actually have too much to complaint about this anime. Except for the somewhat chipmunk-looking faces of the characters… The art, otherwise can be said to be spectacular, if not the best. Now, you see, this anime does not really fall in my genre, save for the fact that it has a little bit of romance in it and it is somehow labeled as comedy. The pace may appear to be rather slow but I’m always patient when it comes to watching slow anime. I like the idea of the story as a whole and I particularly love Takizawa Akira for his spontaneity and boldness. He looks too much like that guy in Honey and Clover and his character seems to be quite similar but he sometimes reminds me of Ryuuzaki or L.Lawliet, better known as L from Death Note, perhaps for wearing white shirt and having messy black hair. Just charming. Ah. I digress. Sorry. The OP is great and it perfectly suits the anime. Even its ED is creatively made, with characters from the anime being paper cutouts. I enjoy the fact that they actually used real Americans for the voices of the Americans in the anime. Ano keitai mo suki de, kakkoii kara. The technology of the mobile phone seems impressive too. (Yes, impressive enough to lead to the manufacturing of the real mobile phones.) Another factor that separates this anime from many others is the obvious fondness of nudity and penises (“Johnnies” as they affectionately call them) but mostly to be poked about as a joke, rather than to arouse any sexual attention, which I find intriguing. All in all, Higashi no Eden is a new flavor added to my collection, and I’m way too excited to watch the promised movies. Honestly can’t wait.

This show is probably the most impressive 11 episode series I've ever seen. Not only is it completely fresh and original in feeling, but the entire show is also incredibly fast paced and keeps you guessing from episode 1. If you like shows that will keep you on the edge of your seat and relatable characters in untreatable situations then I think you'll love this anime. Though at first I wasn't too bit on the style of the art work I grew to love it. I think it fits the way the story is filmed and kind of gives it an 'almost real' and slightly futuristic feel. The sound is great. I had no idea that Oasis was the band that played the opening theme until the music video came out for it. This anime actually has surprisingly good English... (when they're in Washington DC) though it still sounds a bit funny. The characters are all really interesting...especially the Selecaos. Takizawa Akira is one of the most interesting characters I've seen in an anime in a long time and I was really impressed with how they pulled off a light-hearted guy who had no idea who he was. I also liked the nerdy "Pantsu" and the cute Saki-chan. Overall I gave it a 10 because I feel like its one of those series you could watch a dozen times and always feel like you'd seen something new. I'd reccomend this one to anyone. It's a great new anime for 2009!

If you were given a phone which had 10 Billion on it and were asked to change the world, what would you do? While I'm sure at least some people would first buy the Playboy Mansion and then go on to throw the biggest party in the universe, the answer given by the characters of this wonderful series would do something completely different but about two times more awesome. Story: All Saki Morimi wanted to do was to throw a quarter into the fountain in front of the white house in Washington D.C. and make a wish. Of course, she didn't expect that the police wouldn't take too kindly to her intrusion. Then again, she didn't expected to find a naked guy wielding a gun and a phone with 8.4 Billion Yen on it. To say anymore than that would be to spoil one of the greatest stories I have seen in recent years. It has mystery, it has action, it has romance, comedy, amnesia. It has everything you would love to see in a thriller movie. What's also good is that Eden of the East, throughout both the series and the movie, takes this opportunity-filled foundation and builds a wonderful narrative that mostly tries to avoid the cliques which no-one likes. Amnesia is more than just a viewer-friendly add-on, adding a crucial plot element that if it wasn't there, would drastically alter the stories events. There is romance and comedy, but it isn't the main focus and instead develops the characters, main and supporting, putting them in a favorable light. It's hard to describe the story without spoiling it, but I just have to say that if you love intrigue on a nation-wide scale and a world where the seemingly impossible can be made possible, with many twists and turns, you will love Eden of the East. Art & Sound: While some anime find their solace in a quirky art-style which draws in the audience, EoE has a fairly realistic art-style, the characters have normal eyes, noses and hair, the only exaggerated detail being the white squiggle when they are... exposed. The environments, to compliment the character designs are detailed to the last patch of peeling paint. The settings are colorful, whether you're in Washington D.C by day or Shinjuku by night and to those who live in the areas where these scenes are shown, look out and see if you can recognize places you've been to. It's that detailed. However, it doesn't suffer from taking itself too seriously and doesn't let eye-candy take over characters and plot. Sound is another bonus to the series. The opening theme, 'Falling Down' by Oasis in the English Dub, sets up the atmosphere of mystery with it's smooth, sultry sounds, while at the same time giving an undertone of the calm before the storm. The ending theme, 'Futuristic Imagination' by School Food Punishment (who do most of the music for this series), uses an upbeat J-Pop tune to pump the viewer up. It almost makes it seem like you have the power to change the world only if you gave it a good try, which in the end is one of the messages of this series. Otherwise, the music is quite subtle, mixing in the occasional English jazz tune with the epic orchestral arrangement and is a joy to listen to. Characters: Oh, the characters. Akira Takizawa, our naked hero, is an altruistic, eccentric, intelligent man who despite hardship is willing to forgive and no matter what wants to believe in humans and so will always put himself out on a limb for them, knowing that they will always do the right thing in the end. Meanwhile, Akira doesn't come out as 2-D, especially when you find out his past and what he did before he appeared in front of the White House. Saki Morimi, our perpetually confused heroine, is on the border of being an apathetic girl who is about to become lost in the succubus that is adult life. She has an unrequited love, a fading sense of hope and the sense that she is about to give up on herself. Then what better for her than to meet Takizawa? The two main leads work well together, besides having romantic chemistry on screen. There is a sense that the characters really grow in the space of 11 episodes and two movies, learning important lessons and making life-long bonds which is all people ever want in life. The supporting cast are good too, though they have much less screen-time than they deserve and in some respects can be easily forgotten and placed into boxes. However, since I find much enjoyment in how they interact amongst themselves and the main cast. Even characters only given one episode serve important roles and most are likable and admirable, taking pride in themselves, while not gilding their flaws, using their skills to become just as much heroes as the main cast. In the end, the greatest achievement of the characters is that you will most likely give your full support to Takizawa, not because he is the white of a black-and-white story, but because he is the most likable of a grey story where everyone has one redeemable factor about them, even if it seems like what they do has no justification. Conclusion: Overall, I love this series and I think if you think anything I said sounds good, you should watch it too and make your own opinions. After calculating the scores I have come up with an exact 9 out of ten. A must-watch. And with that I, Cazuki, beg you adieu. Bang.

Upon reading the synopsis I was a little intrigued, but I was a little mislead in what this story was. I thought it would be some little romantic comedy of sort, but I never expected it to be such an enjoyable story. It is one of those series that is so unique yet so stereotypical that it comes out of left field and hits you in a good way. I would say that this is a must see, and do not delay like I did. It is not what you expect it to be, it is so much more. The story starts out as the synopsis says, but let me expand on the first minute or two that they told you about. A Japanese girl visits America and is in front of the White House. A naked guy appears holding a cell phone in one hand and a gun in the other. He has had his memory erased. He sort of saves the girl, and the girl gives him a couple items of her clothing (jacket, scarf.. but oddly his "johnny" is still hanging out). The guy runs off but her wallet is in the jacket. Now you know the first five minutes of this story. From there it involves their relationship, the mystery of why his memory was erased, and what the heck is going on with this crazy phone of his. He's involved in some sort of crazy game where a few individuals have billions of dollars and with one phone call can have whatever they want to happen... happen. There's the story with no spoilers. It's eleven episodes of mystery and mayhem, but it's done in such a wonderful way. There is a love story in there, but this isn't about the love story. The main character is so charming and charismatic that even with no memories he wings his way through his odd situation. The supporting characters are all interesting in their own ways as well. The story and characters are all well developed, and it gives just enough without over explaining or over exposing things that it shouldn't. Even the music played a great part in the story. If you like interesting stories with a few twists here and there then you should definitely check this out. It's not a chick flick. It's not a fan service anime series either. It's a well made, brilliant at times, but well told story that anybody can enjoy. Unfortunately the ending is left open, but they do announce that 2 movies will follow. I will be checking out these movies but this review is just for the 11 episode anime series. This i s a must watch. Don't hesitate.

Well, this is a rather interesting show, especially how they seem to show a lot of nudity. This feels like the Japanese idea for the Hunger Games a bit (now, I don’t really know all of the hunger games but this is what I gathered). Normal people getting hold of something and end up playing out a ‘game’ for the enjoyment of some guy that has a lot of money. If the person does not do what is told, they die. Now this has no really baring on the story much but I am a bit surprised that they had actually brought in the freedom tower. I have to hand it to Saki, if I was in her situation and met a naked man, I would probably just run and not give him my coat and hat. Then she also goes back home with him as well. She just seems a little two innocent to me to be any real impact on the story plot. I wish she was a little more of a tomboyish type of girl and not such a pushover to fall in love like that. And even though she is like that, I felt myself wanting her and Akira together. Akira seems a bit off in the head, and seems to be similar to L from Death Note in how childish he is. Throughout the whole show, he just tries to figure out who he is. Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be anything more about him that I can say without large spoilers. I just don’t get why he has angel wings on his dog though. The opening is rather nice, adding a lot of the mystery in the show and only showing small pieces of the show. The ending seems to pretty much foreshadow and maybe even spoil what is to happen in the show which makes me a bit pissed at it. The artwork from within the show is a bit odd, the noses seem turned up somewhat like a pigs and when things happen strangely, they turn into cut out chibi characters of themselves. Now, I only was able to watch the dub version and even though it was pretty good, some of the voices seemed a bit off in some aspects. I am sure that the parts that were in America would have been better in the original version. The music is really nice. I love the openings mystic ring to it and I would probably place it onto my music player. There really isn’t much other music in this that stands out at all. It just seems a bit to low to even be heard. There was only one that stood out from the rest and it was what they used in rather gentle and somber times. It was a nice piano and violin melody. Now, I have to tell you that the ending of this is something that only M. Night Shyamalan could only make this up. Really, I just can’t believe that they did that and pretty much told you to watch the 2 movies that came out for any real closer.

Eden of the East is certainly a refreshing anime that has a really interesting premise. I had expected a sci-fi/action/mystery genres anime before I watched this show. I was surprised to find that this show has minimum sci-fi and action elements. Despite this, I was still impressed with the show. The storyline is solid and inventive, and has some plot twists that keep the audience entertained in every episode. The show is presented in a laid-back atmosphere. In fact, too laid-back for a show that has a lot of suspense in the beginning. The true strength of this show is not mystery or suspense, though, but that it deals with many issues that are relevant to our world today. For example, this show portrays how young people nowadays have difficulty integrating into the society. Overall, the story is well done, but do not expect an epic conclusion. The art is decent. Definitely watch Eden in 720p. The sound, though, is lacking in many ways. The OP and ED are just ... bad. The characters are generally well portrayed. Akira Takizawa, the protagonist, is one of the coolest anime characters that I have seen. He has incredibly charisma, a laid-back attitude about everything, an unshakable confidence in himself, and balls of steel. This one character defines this show. However, while some characters are likable, there are many others that are annoying, shallow, or not developed enough. I have enjoyed this show. This show has a lot of "situational comedy", for which I define as comedy that only makes sense in context of the plot and arises from plot development. Overall: 8/10. Story & Art: 8/10 Sound: 6/10 Character & Enjoyment: 9/10 PS: don't forget to watch the 2 Eden movies after finishing the TV series if you liked this show. The 2 movies are essentially the conclusion for the TV series. Don't expect the movies to be spectacular, though. *this review has been rewritten

What if you playing a game where the objective was to save Japan? The only thing you have in order to do this was a cell phone with 10 billion yen. You can spend it any way you want, but you have to use it for the above objective. If you don’t use the money or if you run out and have not won the game, then you die. Would you wanna play? Eden of the East is a Psychological/Romance/Mystery anime written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama. It originally was produced by Production I.G. Studio and was licensed by Funimation. There are eleven episodes total with two novels released after the anime. Three films were released as well between September 2009 and March 2010. On November 22, 2010, ten missiles strike against uninhabited areas of Japan, claiming no victims. This apparent terrorist act is referred to as "Careless Monday" and disregarded by most people. The series begins three months later, with a young Japanese woman named Saki Morimi visiting Washington D.C. as part of her graduation trip. When she gets into trouble, a mysterious Japanese man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, helps her through it. The man appears to have no memory and is completely naked, carrying only a gun and a cell phone charged with 8.2 billion in digital money. The look of the series and the animation is rather well done. There was no laziness or lack of budget to cause problems with this series and that is easily noticeable. Though at some points, the animation doesn’t quite fit the original look, but it’s only used for comic effect rather then calling it lazy. The story is good too. For the most part, you’re following Takizawa, trying to figure out who he is, and what organization he’s a part of. There are few things that escape the realm of explanation, and this series is going to leave you with questions in the end, but not unsatisfied. After I watched this series the first time, I told my friend about it. When I did he said to me, “So it’s pretty much like the Bourne movies.” And, yes, in some ways it is. The main male character has no memory of who he is or what he has done before losing those memories. He also works for a secret organization bent on some purpose. The characters are fairly well developed, Takizawa being the best. Then again, the series is pretty much all about him and his journey to find out who he is. Saki is developed decently, sometimes you don’t completely understand why she does certain things but, she is a good companion to Takizawa. The rest of the cast has small bits of development here and there, key word being small. And then there’s the running joke of the series. It’s fine for a few episodes and can be funny when referred to, but by the time you get to the forth or fifth episode it’s just annoying and completely. I am, of course, talking about the “Johnny” gag. It’s called by no other name but Johnny. Not penis, not dick, not wood. Johnny. There’s even a character in the series who is called the “Johnny Hunter”. She hunts down rapists and..... Yeah...... Are you seeing the problem? I understand that the series wanted to have some thing that makes people laugh, but referring to a male’s genitally as Johnny, ALL THE TIME, is just plain stupid. Unless you’re into stupid things like that which, in that case, you will absolutely love it. I mentioned that this is a review on the Japanese version, but I am going to mention the English dub for a second. I only watched part of an episode that was posted on YouTube. And all I have to say is that Takizawa and Hirasawa were tolerable in the ten minutes I managed to watch it. Everyone else didn’t seem like good fits. Again, this was just based off one episode. The entire series might have had characters partnered with good voice actors that I didn’t take a look at. But for this review, I would stick with the Japanese version. Pretty much cause I’m a sucker for this version. The end result is Eden of the East being a good visual anime with some kinks here and there along with a real good story that takes another story, tweaks it, and makes it very interesting. There is more to the story with the movies that were released during the fall, so the story doesn’t end with more bombing and more memory loss. No, the fun has just gotten started. Hopefully, they’ll resolve some of the plot points in the movies.

Higashi No Eden, or Eden of the East to us English Dubbers, is captivating. It is a very creative story line, in a very unique save the world or destroy it trying sort of manner. It wastes no time from the beginning and withing ten minutes you are thrust into the world of Higashi No Eden. This is also one of its' major downfalls, no set up. You are expected to grasp the entire complex concept of the show within a relatively short time line. However do not let that discourage you, there are plenty of twists, and new things thrown at you around every corner. Also the general story is nothing like any other, and this one of a kind experience is overall an inexplicably pleasant one. Give this one a try and you're unlikely to be disappointed.

Eden of the East is a political mystery thriller from acclaimed director Kenji Kamiyama. Kamiyama is no stranger to political thrillers, with the now legendary Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex under his belt. However, in Eden of the East, he brings an inviting warmth and looseness scarcely found in political thrillers. With a plot that resembles a Robert Ludlum novel than GitS: SAC, Eden is a unique and refreshing take on the genre in the world of anime. Saki Morimi is visiting Washington D.C. on a trip to celebrate her graduation from University. She is about to enter the work force, having a work interview scheduled as soon as her intended return time to Japan. This plan gets derailed when she meets a naked man with no possession besides a gun and and cellphone, and no memory of who he is, in front of the White House. She give her his jacket to cover up and they part ways, however, as it turns out her passport is in the jacket and she misses her flight. Meanwhile, the man has finds the apartment room he has apparently been staying at, just to find that he has many aliases and passports, and that he might be a terrorist. He also finds out his phone has an insane amount of money credited on it. After being tracked down by Saki, he decides to go by the name Akira Takizawa, and together they return to Japan. There Takizawa begins to investigate his past, one which may or not involve recent missile strikes on the country and the disappearance of 20,000 people; while Saki finds herself becoming more and more involved with this mystery man. Here is a premise that just hooks the audience immediately. Having a main character that is enigma even to himself is a simple but brilliant narrative quirk. As a viewer, you find yourself craving the truth behind his identity. His past is interesting to say the least, involving a twisted game set up by the faceless Mr. Outside, in which the constants have to "save" Japan with the 10 billion yen given to them, and any who fail to reach this first, or uses the money for personal reasons will be eliminated. However, this is just the tip of the show's mystery. Even as bits and pieces of his past are relieved, it is never made clear what exactly is Takizawa's role in the bizarre events that have taken place in Japan until late in the series; leaving the viewers in the dark and dying to know the truth. However, this intrigue with the main character is not not the only thing going for the show, not by a long shot. The story reaches much further and into some very interesting issues. The Japan depicted in this anime is a county in disarray, trying to recover from a disastrous incident. The show does a fine job capturing the understated desperation present in this kind of atmosphere, and what people are willing to believe in such times. It also effectively portrays young adults struggling to find a place in, or rebel against, society and how they have the power to reshape it. Ultimately, the series shows what people are capable of once they band together. Admittedly, these themes are somewhat diluted my the mystery story centering around Takizawa, having less punch than they should have and leaving a few loose ends on the mystery-side, but for the most part they come together very well. What really makes Eden of the East stand out from other political thrillers is its characters.Their presence is far more inviting than the rigid, distant military-types found in GitS:SAC. Takisawa has a loose and relaxed personality, rather than the cold and deliberate character he easily could have been. This actually works for the best, as his unique personality makes him incredibly likable, and has the audience genuinely invested in him. Saki also has a charm of her own, and is the perfect face for the generation just entering the work force. Both are a joy to watch whether they are together or apart. The rest of the colorful cast is just as interesting. The other participants in Mr. Outside's game, called Seleção, each have there own interesting intentions with the 10 billion yen they have been granted, some with grand schemes to reshape the country and win the game, others with more personal endeavors. Even Saki's group of NEET friends is a collection of likable personalities, each with their own quirks. On the technical side, Eden's visuals are some of the finest visuals you will see in a TV anime series. Kamiyama's works have all been known to look fantastic, and Eden is no exception. The backgrounds depict the busy city streets of New York and Tokyo, as well as many other locations, in stunning detail. Taking in the scenery is a joy all of its own. Even more notable, however, is the show's use of softer looking character designs, more typical of a slice-of-life than a political thriller. This may seem like an odd choice, but it is surprisingly less jarring than one would expect, actually the character designs fit the show perfectly. The designs give the characters an expressiveness and charm that would not be achieved by a harder, more realistic look. You can just see Takizawa and Saki's personalities shine through their facial expressions and body language. The visuals here are simply the best that can be expected of a TV series. Likewise, the music here is incredibly well composed and superbly used. Whether the music is absent in a scene, or sounding the greatness of a scene, Kamiyama's use of it is always appropriate and brings the out the full effect of the scene. The only thing that can be said against the sound here is that it does not quite reach the level of integration of music and story that Cowboy Bebop, Princess Tutu, and very few others do. You can tell from its first episode that Eden would be something special. With a refreshingly new take on its genre, the show definitely delivered on its early promise. While it is probably too light for hardcore political thriller fans, it is more accessible to a wider audience, one of the few shows that can claim near-universal appeal. And as for any loose ends the show has... there are two squeal movies to fill that void.

Eden of the East is unlike any anime I have ever seen before. I think this may be because it is a mature mystery/suspense series that is very well written- I really cannot think of another anime show that fits in such a genre. The show begins with a amnesic young man waking up in Washington D.C. with nothing but a gun in one hand and a cell phone in the other. I DO mean literally nothing else- the guy is butt naked. No worries though, everything that needs to be censored is. The man meets a college senior named Saki Morimi, and the show continues on from there. It turns out that Takizawa is a part of a very dangerous game, and the mysteries continue to pile up as the show progresses. Eden of the East really reminded me of the Jason Bourne movies in terms of the plot. I think the plot, as well as some very likable characters, is what really makes this series shine. The story is exceptionally well written, keeping the viewer from wanting to know more about the game. Cliffhangers at the end of episodes just add to the incredible suspense. I wish I could say more about the plot, but I fear that as a mystery show that would result in spoilers. There are some significant themes in the show, such as the use of power, politics, and technology. It really makes for a very interesting combination. I also thought the art was superb. Character designs are simple but in my opinion extremely effective. Some of the background art even caught my eye while watching. This is a beautifully animated anime. The music was good, although the only memorable tunes I found were the opening and closing songs, as well as a song during the climax of the series. I would like to add a note however: this show is rated TV-MA for a reason. Sexual themes and violence are quite apparent in the show and really really should not be watched by younger viewers. The scene that sticks out most in my head for being inappropriate concerns a serial killer: and kids don't need to be exposed to that. If you're looking for a new anime to watch that breaks the confines of your traditional anime fare, this is the show. I really cannot think of anything else like it. The ending however seems rather abrupt- it isn't even feel all that open ended. It becomes apparent that if you want to see the end of the story you are going to have to watch the upcoming movies. Which means I'll be waiting awhile for my English dub... A definite recommendation!

Higashi no Eden is a spectacular anime with a memorable storyline, active characters and splendid art. It's more action than romance, but the romance between Saki and Tak is clear. Every moment in the anime was there for a reason, and it was tied up nicely at the end. I'll definitely be watching the additional movies as soon as possible. Story - 10 The story was memorable because of the action, comedy and romance within it. It was mysterious as to Tak's background, and as the anime went along you followed his journey to get his memory back. I've never seen a plot quite like this, and it was kind of very political too. Art - 10 As soon as you watch the first episode, its clear that effort and skill was put into every image. I saw some stills and promotionals of this anime, and seeing them made me want to watch it, and I'm glad I have. Sound - 10 I watched this with english subtitles, however a dubbed version is available. Every noise was amazingly clear and realistic. Also, the soundtrack was lovely - very fitting to every scene. Characters - 10 Every character fit perfectly in this anime and you loved every one. The characters backstories are (once again) made with a lot of effort and creativity. Everyone has a story. Enjoyment - 10 It's clear that I enjoyed this anime, due to its constant scores of 10, but I'm not just being over generous - I really do believe that this is one of the best animes of all time. Overall - 10 (of course!) This anime is perfect for guys and girls, for the ones looking for action and the ones looking for a bit of a laugh (and a bit is all you get, mind you, as the anime is very serious.). Definitely a must for all - however, there are scenes that young people should not see (young meaning little kids), in my opinion. * I totally got hooked on the introduction and credits little sequences! Whoever made them are pure genius! The intro gets you pumped for the story, and the credits were just so creative. definitely dont skip it!

Higashi no Eden...Let's just say that it similar to some other short animes that attempt to incorporate too many themes and plots and end up only haphazardly completing them if there were completed at all. This anime would've been more worth while if it was 10 to 15 episodes longer. With this added length would allow more character and plot development and subsequently lead to an actual conclusion. Overall I feel empty after watching this anime because there were so many aspects, aside from the characters, like the selecao itself that could've been further developed. Perhaps my arguments are misplaced as I've yet to see the Movies/OVAs but as a stand alone series it is incomplete and disappointing. Aside from the plot the art style is unique but perhaps a little to minimalistic for my tastes.

Overall 8/10 ---- Higashi no Eden is a fabulous series that breaks out of the typical anime flair. The plot captivates you making you want more and more. I enjoyed it tremendously, the plot which it situated was close to the era I live in helped to build a sense of familiarity to it and I was able to relate well to the problems and complains that the characters voiced out in this series. Highly recommended for people who enjoy a little more thinking in their anime. Story 10/10 ------ The plot is gripping and makes you wonder who is the real one behind everything. Nothing is too small a detail for Higashi no Eden. Unlike some animes that may feel paper and the escape feels too convenient, Higashi no Eden's plot is too well written to feel that way. It leaves you wondering whether such things may possibly happen. It starts off running at full speed with its perfectly timed little comical breaks when things get too tense. This anime has nothing to compare to it for it started off as an anime. There is no disappointment that the anime was not able to live up to the manga version. It is not fantasy and neither is it too sci-fi, as it is close to the era that I lives in, I was able to relate easily to the things they mention in the anime. Art 8/10 ---- The drawing style is typical and nothing to boost. It is drawing in a little comical style that suits well to the plot and their comical moments. Sound 9/10 ---- In all honesty, Higashi no Eden's soundtrack was what drew me to watch it. Not that I was a big fan of Oasis (who sang the cover song for Higashi no Eden), but many good animes have a good soundtrack. Higashi no Eden is no exceptional to the this. Character 6/10 ---- Character development was stark in this anime. The characters generally do not evolve with the anime and mostly stay as it is when it first appears. Despite this, Higashi no Eden did tried to expand the characters and give them a little more depth to the reasons why they act in that manner. However it was the outstanding plot that balanced what it lacked.

I really enjoyed this series. I am also looking forward to the movies when they are done. I found the storyline for the most part to be very solid, although I feel it could have used another 2 seasons to develop it fully. (The other Seleco are hardly (if at all) seen. ALthough this kept the main story line nice and clean). I also found the concept, and the choice of character types for the other selected to be interesting. Overall I was very pleased. The artwork and animation did not leave me with anything to be desired. It was Crisp, clean, detailed and uncluttered. I could just enjoy the backgrounds without them distracting me from the story. Music: Fair, I loved the opening song. Ending, not so much. Back ground Music and sound were well done. (to me, well done means it adds to the over all effect of the story, without you really being aware of its presense) Character development: A little light, however any character that was developed was as deep as the brief storytime allowed. and I did not notice any large "character Transformations", which is nice. About the only real complaint I have is about the Johnney killer Selecto. The "illusion" escape scene did not sit well, and I felt the story would have been better without it. Overall: It is worth the time to watch it!

As one of the more intriguing premises in anime to date, Eden of The East, though stumbling periodically, delivers on the initial hook and ultimately lands on its feet. Many great ideas and unique concepts were explored, engaging the viewer by consistently posing questions to develop the narrative. However, there were also many odd writing decisions that, while not ruining the enjoyment, would leave the audience wondering why they were implemented. Nonetheless, the well-executed scenes, character interactions, and chemistry between the main cast gave an overall positive impression. Despite some hindrances, it is worth giving this a chance if you are interested in the synopsis.

Do you want to see a worse mirai nikki? Like, mirai nikki gets shit on constantly; but god damn, at least it has an interesting premise and some cool character scenes. This has nothing. Props where I can give them, I liked the animation quirks they put on at times where characters will seem real and act as humans would, straightening their hair or clothes for example. Don't normally see that type of stuff and I appreciate it. Also liked the character clothes, they changed them up a bit which also contributed to making me buy more the whole series. Everything else, can't say the same. These characters are either bland to a fault, dense to a fault or a delightful combination of both (wost offender of this goes to saki). I had to convince myself she was high as a kite in every scene because I don't get 90% of the things she does. Takizawa is a shallow copy of Yato. He is very dumb but everyone in the show will try to convince you he's not. The romance between the two is crammed in there and you're expected to swallow it up. Nobody else matters because they're not memorable or don't serve any purpose in the story. Talking about the story, what was that? The anime has one idea and tries to make a whole show out of it by sprinkling information that go absolutely nowhere and don't make sense. Btw, get used to having all information be shared in long speeches that will just make you even more confused. I stopped taking this show seriously since episode two, and just sat back and enjoyed it all. You can be quite amused between the exposition scenes when seeing these carboard characters interact with one another and how the story just spirals more out of control. Loved the ending, laughed for a minute straight. Little pet peeve, the chibi artstyle doesn't look good here at all. Please refrain from using unless you're in dire need for it. Thank you.