Science fiction, androids and artificial intelligence are a popular theme in anime, but Eve no Jikan shows that you can still come with new ideas. It’s an OVA series of five episodes of 15 minutes, and 1 of half an hour, and it shows a possible future in which androids have just become able to look and act like regular human beings.
It explores the boundaries of intelligence, what it means to be self-conscious and in what aspect androids differ from humans, as well as human relationships with those androids. throughout its six episodes, it shows a variety of cases of how people chose to deal with it, through the eyes of the lead character Rikuo.
Overall, it’s a very well made series, and worth the watch just for the setting. However, it’s also just way too short: it has enough potential to fill up a regular 13-episoded tv-series, and it could quite possibly even run for 26 episodes. right now, the characters are just too underdeveloped, there’s too little time to get to know the fairly large cast in this series, there are so many interesting questions that are still left hanging, and there’s still a lot of potential left in the concept that the creators weren’t able to touch.
Still, there always is the chance for a continuation: Studio Rikka is a rare example of a successful independent animation studio, and considering the success of this series, they’re probably aiming for more. There is a flaw that can’t be excused with this, however: the characters tend to put an overemphasis on their acting. Especially Masaki’s character feels way too dramatic, and feels unnatural because of this.
Nevertheless, I definitely support these short OVAs that try to do something fresh and different. The OVA-format is really one in which you can take a lot more risks than with your regular TV-series, and yet hardly any series take advantage of this. Eve no Jikan’s problem is that it’s just way too ambitious for this format: it tried to too too much in too little time, which prevents it from being a classic, but on the other hand its short length turns it into a very accessible nice and light watch.
| Storytelling: | 7/10 |
| Characters: | 7/10 |
| Production-Values: | 9/10 |
| Setting: | 9/10 |
Overall I would have given a bit higher rating, the shortness of the series didn’t bother me, there was plenty of time to comprehend the points of view of the two main characters, as the series digs in the ordinary life of one and in the past of the other. About the unanswered questions: we can’t possible expect from an anime to predict if robots will coexsist with humans in the future 😀 so the fact that the series ended without deeping the relationship beetwen the main character and his robot isn’t a big deal
Overall it’s a 85/100 series for me
I would tend to agree with Andrea, nevertheless it’s true that it gives off a feeling of preview without a sequel.
I think the originality of the series came from the ambition of the creators. The really did not cut corners. However it was very classical in theme, aesthetics, but also extremely well made.
Although I agree that the series maybe a tad bit short, I would have to also agree with the guys above.
Initially I was surprised by the length during the 1st episode, but as I watched the episodes it never really felt rushed, or forced. I feel the anime was executed quite well.
I think there are definately more stories they could have got out of this series, and some characters could have been fleshed out a little more, but this is one I quite enjoyed.
Short but sweet. 🙂
The concepts used and put forth by this series is simply mind provoking. I love A.I. and robots which is one reason why I’m majoring in Computer Science. The societal impacts of androids presented could quite possibly happen in one way or another.
I agree with the length of the series being way too short. Here’s to hoping they release a 26 episode version or something in the future!
I cried a bit for the part where THX had spoke to masasaki. Really tugged the heart strings here.
It’s been a while since at anime has managed to earn this many tears from me.
an*
Good review.
I agree, the series is too short, nonetheless still worthy of watch.
For the lavk of action and visual effects (like ghost in the shell i.e.)it has intriguing setting and dialogue, and a sort of peculiar aura/atmosphere.
oh wow. i cannot believe how low you graded this show.
I’m also suprised at how ‘low’ you rated this…
Did you watch Yashiro Yoshiura’s Mizu No Kotoba (Aquatic Language) as well?