#also no weird clone plot with kuruma being crazy on the beach

[mentalmeles]

I have read the manga and, respectfully, I have to disagree. In my opinion, the manga handles the story very poorly and the anime was able to salvage it a bit. Not by much, mind you, but a bit.

The main reason for that is because the mangaka, frankly, does not know how to write mysteries, plot twists, or character development. Or write in general. And the longer the manga went on, the clearer that became. The anime has the advantage of being only 13 episodes (and one ova) long. The mangaka’s flaws are still there, but they aren’t as glaring during the shorter runtime.

Another reason is because I like the anime’s ending better and for a multitude of reasons:

The ending to Chief Kurama and Mariko’s arc was…. *chef’s kiss*

Lucy protects Nana and urges her to go live with Kouta and the others in her stead while she uses herself as bait for the soldiers, an act of solidarity we hadn’t yet seen between two Dicloni and I don’t think a moment like that was ever in the manga (correct me if I’m wrong, though).

No cousin incest when Kouta ultimately chooses Lucy and Nyu. That whole scene with them on the steps was beautiful and has been burned into the back of my mind since middle school.

It’s implied Lucy survived. (Killing her off was the WORST decision.)

Lastly, any adaptation without piss girl and bootleg Van Helsing (who is a PEDOPHILE…….) is the better option for me agdhdhs

Rewatching Elfen Lied with friends for our weekly watch party and the amount of potential this story has is near maddening