Comments on: Why Dennou Coil just might be the best anime ever

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:30:57 +0000

The best ever? I’m not sure. It depends on what I’m in the mood to watch at the time really. In terms of what’s best out of the new shows this year I’d say it wins hands-down though.

The presentation and thought that’s gone on behind it all is outstanding – it’s very sophisticated and meticulously done but not in an obvious way so the myriad of details is probably lost on a lot of viewers at first glance. I can only agree on how it excels at creating a whole new reality…that I think will be the one thing that it’ll be remembered for in the long run, which is no bad thing really.

The most rewarding thing for me was the characterisation – I was initially sceptical of their young age but their feelings and behaviour have a straightforward and more ‘pure’ quality – teen angst doesn’t quite come into it, but the importance of family and friends is emphasised very well indeed.

My only criticism was the lack of attention to the supporting characters but that’s rather relative – they all had some screen time and exploration. I guess I appreciated it as much as you did, and am eagerly waiting on a rewatch with the arrival of the western licence and DVD release.

Above all, not a single scene felt boring or unecessary – I was entertained by every frame, which is a surprisingly rare occurance these days.

By: Karura

Karura — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:13:43 +0000

Haruchin: it’s hard to call what is and isn’t going to be licensed these days, what with all “the industry is dying! dying!” panic and some odd decisions from companies (were the likes of Gokujou Seitokai ever going to sell well?). Nonetheless, I absolutely must have Dennou Coil on DVD, so hopefully it will happen.

w: I do see your point, but for me those elements were introduced early enough to escape the last minute revelation curse. Maybe I’ve just been worn down by series that have an episode 25 that’s nothing to do with the main plot, and then everything magically wrapped up in the last episode.

By: w

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:25:32 +0000

Dennou Coil went that one step further in actually exploring them- and never once did it disappoint with a cop out “and by the way, we’re running out of time so here’s a quick explanation” style answer.

Mmm, speaking as a rabid fan who’s been glued to news about the show since it was announced as being in production, I have to beg to differ – I think one of the biggest flaws of the show was precisely the last-minute explanations. It probably can’t be helped with the episode count and the way it’s set up but I felt that Nekome and Yasako’s dad were doing exactly what you described there…

But it certainly could have been much, much worse…

By: shiNIN

shiNIN — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:49:35 +0000

great anime :) I like the art style, the atmosphere, the story, everything. I’m fond of Densuke and the mojos… it was an anime I was able to watch without sub, because I was so interested. I didn’t understand, ofcoz, but it means something…
I didn’t finished it yet, 1-2 episodes are left (I’ve seen ep25 in raw only). I feel I must rewatch it. it will be different, knowing the full story, the truth about Densuke…etc.

By: Haruchin

Haruchin — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:39:43 +0000

Dennou Coil is definitely up there among my personal favourites. It doesn’t quite manage to knock Haibane Renmei off the top spot, but it makes a damn good try for it.

I’ve read in a couple of places that people were less pleased with the end of the series than they were with the beginning. I’m not sure I understand this, but have to put it down to personal taste. For my money I like something with a powerful plot and emotional character development, which we got in spades towards the end of the 26 episode run. Perhaps others find it a tad linear? Not a problem as far as I’m concerned – I like things to have a definite point. :)

Liked the depth; the message; the fact that the production team refused to pander to the audience’s desires even at the very end, preferring to stay true to the characters as drawn…

What are the chances of Dennou Coil getting licensed, do we think? The buzz has been pretty subdued across the internet apart from certain pockets of adoration. It was pretty well emphasised in Japan – when I was lucky enough to be at the World Science Fiction con in Yokohama in August this year, there was an hour panel devoted to it, in the main hall, with all of the production crew including writer, producer and director, and the hall was FULL. This is one I really want to be licensed, if only to get the DVD quality the series deserves, and a professional translation. I still can’t help but feel that I’m missing out on something…

By: Kasumi

Kasumi — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:36:52 +0000

This series has some of the best world-building and atmosphere I’ve ever seen in an anime. That said, I was a bit let down by the “emotional development” in the last few episodes, and there was also too much last minute exposition. I think the characters work wonderfully as a group, but are not so strong when examined individually. Still, an excellent series and a definite must watch. It makes my top 30 or so list.

By: Hige

Hige — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:05:32 +0000

I’m only ten episodes in and already I can appreciate how fantastic/memorable/everything a-best-of-all-time needs to be. I’m glad it only gets better, too. There’s nothing worse than having built up expectations quashed by tepid, lacklustre conclusions.

By: Hanners

Hanners — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:19:56 +0000

Absolutely no arguments here – While it might not be the ‘best anime ever’, damn is it close. I had a horrible feeling I was going to be left disappointed by the ending (as so often happens with otherwise quality series), but I was very, very wrong. Dennou Coil was a true work of beautifully imagined genius from beginning to end, and it’s one of those shows you can easily watch again and again.