Anime Week: Eden of the East review

EDEN OF THE EAST

The best way to describe Eden of the East would probably be: Mirai Nikki meets Atlas Shrugged.

Eden of the East tells a very complicated story about a game being played by 12 people, in which of each of them are given a phone that they use to survive. Sound familiar? However, beyond that premise, there's a very complex and intriguing story. Eden of the East tells one of the most interesting stories I've seen in anime, but I can't give too much away without spoiling it. All I can really say, is that 12 people are given 10,000,000,000 yen, and are told to change the world. The show takes you through so many twists and turns, and sometimes keeps you emotionally engaged in the story. The pacing is perfect too. Over the 12 episodes, the pacing is kept constant, and the show never really lets up. And then, the show really starts to question its own morals towards the later episodes, and makes you think about what really going on.

While the supporting cast of the show is rather ordinary, it's the two protagonists that shine. Takeshi is a character that's hard not to like. He has amnesia, and a strong desire to just help people. And Saki is someone thrown into the middle of the show's craziness. It's the Doctor/Companion relationship between the two that make the show, and their banter is incredible to watch.

The animation was done by the ever awesome Production I.G, who are some of the best animators in anime. Their animation is very fluid and smooth, and it's incredibly vivid and clear. 

The soundtrack for the show is just awesome. Almost every track stands out in my mind, especially the opening, Falling Down by Oasis, which just might be one of my favorite openings ever.

(SPOIlERS)

Now, where the show falters, is the ending. For one thing, it's incredibly unsatisfying.  We don't find the identity of half of the Selacao, and worse, some of the surviving players don't even get a proper conclusion. There are more plot holes than Swiss cheese, and some of the end doesn't even make sense a la Evangelion. However, it does give Saki a sort of satisfying resolution.

(SPOILERS END)

Eden of the East seemed to have everything going for it until its ending. Now, even though the final episode left a bad taste in my mouth, the rest of the series was some of the best anime I've seen. This is a series worth watching despite the last episode.

STORY: 4.5/5

+ Interesting twist on the survival game premise

+ Lots of twists and turns

CHARACTERS: 4/5

+ Takeshi and Saki's relationship drives the show

- Supporting cast is slightly weak

ANIMATION: 4.5/5

+ Very clear and energetic

+ Colorful and smooth

SOUND: 5/5

+ Best. Opening. Ever.

+ Every track suits the  scene

ENDING: 1/5

+ Saki gets a somewhat satisfying resolution

- So many plot holes

- More than half of the players go unrevealed

VERDICT: 4/5