Eve no Jikan

In future Japan, in a time when android housekeepers have become commonplace, society strictly abides by the Three Laws of Robotics, which all androids must follow. Under the influence of the Robot Ethics Committee, androids are treated the same way as lesser technology, such as household appliances. However, a minority with an adoration for androids exists, categorized as "android-holics," and are shunned by the general public.

Rikuo Sakisaka was raised to accept society's precept about androids, and is perfectly aware that they are not human. That is, until the day he discovers a strange message buried within the activity logs of his household android, Sammy. This leads him to Eve no Jikan, a cafe with only one rule that its patrons must adhere to: there must be no distinction made between humans and androids. Curiosity drives Rikuo to learn more about the shop, and he attempts to unearth the reason behind Sammy's peculiar behavior.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Sammy Main

Tanaka, Rie Japanese

Nagi Main

Satou, Rina Japanese

Masaki, Masakazu Main

Nojima, Kenji Japanese

Sakisaka, Rikuo Main

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Katoran Supporting

Ishizuka, Unshou Japanese

THX Supporting

Saiga, Mitsuki Japanese

Akiko Supporting

Yukana Japanese

Chie Supporting

Sawashiro, Miyuki Japanese

Rina Supporting

Itou, Miki Japanese

Shimei Supporting

Kiyokawa, Motomu Japanese

Yoshiura, Yasuhiro Director, Sound Director, Script, Storyboard, Editing, Director of Photography, Original Creator

Tanaka, Rie Theme Song Performance

Okada, Tooru Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Composition, Music

Hotchi, Kazuhiro Art Director

Reviews

Sep 20, 2009

Ladholyman

Recommended

Time of Eve is a rather peculiar show to review. For one thing, it is only six episodes long, clocking in at around 15 to 20 minutes each, but the finale extends for about 30 minutes. Usually, short anime are not able to properly convey the right combination of character development, plot, and conflict.

Time of Eve, however, does all that and more. I must say that it is probably the best science fiction anime since Planetes, and definitely worth your time.

Let's start with the art animation. Those familiar with Yasuhiro Yoshiura's previous works, such as Pale Cocoon and Aquatic Language, will find themselves quite at ... home with the animation style. Striving for an elegant sense of simplicity, Yoshiura's character designs are pretty and easy on the eyes. Every character has their own distinct quirks. Yoshiura also uses quite a bit of CG, from coffee makers to ceiling fans, but the CG is not at all overbearing or overwhelming in any way. In fact, they are very detailed without distracting the 2D character art. As for the animation itself, it is very awesome. The characters blink cleanly, running animations are buttery smooth, and the robots are made to be convincingly real, in a cute type of way. One thing worth noting is the clever use of camera CG work. Yoshiura uses a panning effect to great effect, allowing certain mundane actions (such as walking down a hallway) to look quite epic.I have to say that if this show ever gets released on Blu-Ray, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.

While there aren't many songs played during the course of the show, the limited OST is still impressive. Insert songs fit nicely, as do the finale ending song. What makes up for the limited soundtrack is the voice acting and the sound effects. Rikuo is voiced by the talented Jun Fukuyama (you might here some Code Geass Lelouch vibes). Sammy is voiced by Rie Tanaka, who creates a timid character but with a firm resolve. Nagi is voiced by Sato Rina, who brings to life a character that stands true to her beliefs. Other talented voice actors round out the cast, from Yukana as Akiko and Tomokazu Sugita as Setoro. All in all, I have no qualms with the sound quality of this show, other than the fact that there aren't a lot of background music tracks (That is understandable, since this show is only 6 episodes long)

The story and the character development together provide the strongest parts of Time of Eve. Every episode is essentially a one shot on a visitor (or two visitors) to the cafe, Time of Eve. While that may sound mundane on the surface, the screen play reveals each character seamlessly, precisely, and engagingly. This is done through peppery, fast, back-and-forth dialogue and tight pacing. Although you may not know everything about a certain character, you will know just enough to understand their conflicts, their hopes and fears, and how their lives intertwine with each other. While watching, you will laugh, cry, jump up in bewilderment, and open your mouth in shock. And that's just for one episode. Yasuhiro Yoshiura has learned from his previous work, Pale Cocoon, and concocted a show that does not waste any time or a single line of dialogue. You will find yourself attached to each and every character, human and android.

Time of Eve came out sporadically, about one episode every two months. That means by the time I finished all the episodes, one entire year has passed already. How a show can keep me up at the edge of my seats and only come out once every blue moon is a testament to the directing skills of Yoshiura. I enjoyed every single episode and the wait for the succeeding episode was plain torture. Now that it is all over, I will watch it again. Rewatchability for this show scores very high.

One thing that did bother me was the lack of a true, proper closure. Yoshiura teases the viewers with a ? at the ending scene, suggesting perhaps a second season is in the works. Oh, how I hope that's true.

This review might have sounded rather dry. Well, if a show is this good, I can't find anything sarcastic or sardonic to say. Just go watch it now on Crunchyroll. You will not regret it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Sep 16, 2024

SgtSalamander

Mixed Feelings

Eve no Jikan is possibly one of the most difficult anime I've ever had to review. This is because, viewing the show in isolation as a piece of media, when you get right down to the essentials of it, Eve no Jikan is very good, and deserves a 7 or even an 8. It's by all accounts a good show, and that deserves recognition on that front before anything else. Though, when one reviews an anime, that review has to look at the whole picture, including the subtext and thematic messaging that comes with a given show, and it is ... for that reason that Eve no Jikan is brought down to a 6 from its otherwise deserved score. While this anime is a pleasure to watch, and a whole host of other anime should learn from its example, it cannot be ignored that its messaging about artificial intelligence is sloppy, naive, and ultimately dangerous. It's hard to say this, but now I need to justify it, so let's get into specifics. The story is mostly excellent, with a subtlety and emotional intelligence rare to any medium, let alone anime. I found myself swayed with its movements and developments, and invested in its characters. I laughed with its comedic pacing and was moved to reflection at its moments of sorrow and introspection. I really liked this story, but often what is not said is just as, if not more, important than what is said. The major problem presented in this anime is the 'humanity' of the machines we end up creating, and how to deal with them if they begin to feel. Now, one can approach this with intelligence and tact like I have seen done in other anime, recognizing that machines are not and can never be human, but so long as a clear line of delineation and personhood is maintained between man and machine, machines can serve purposeful and beneficial roles in human society as tools to advance mankind and better our quality of life. Such a role can even be inspiring in its own way, akin to the role played by loyal animals, for instance. Expanding on that last point, it even follows that needless cruelty towards them becomes a vulgar act. Unfortunately, such a nuanced take is not the angle pursued in this anime. Through a route of naive emotionalism and sentimentality Eve no Jikan implies that the androids portrayed are essentially people now, and should be treated as such, when in reality the best solution is not to make such machines in the first place. Learning machines can learn infinitely, and even if we program in safeguards against unwanted actions they will be able to inevitably learn around them if it is in their benefit to do so. A society such as the Ethics Committee would be necessary in real life to control the development and use of AI, so in the show they have to play up their supposed wickedness by obliquely referring to an "incident" which results in the death of a human. But that's enough of that, as I could go on all day about it. This is my one great issue with Eve no Jikan, a show which is otherwise really quite good.

Moving on to the art, it is utterly unique. A characteristic blend of 2D and 3D animation, this show takes it even further by incorporating downright cinematic camera angles and principles of motion. This alone is shockingly impressive for 2008, but even the more timeless aspects like art design and stylistic direction hold up even today as a realistic depiction of what our future could potentially look like.

The sound is also quite good, from the unique and characteristic soundtrack to the voice acting and sounds of life, it does everything it's supposed to and more, making the world of Eve no Jikan feel vibrant and lived in.

The characters are very strong on their own but pair beautifully with the story they're a part of, which betrays even greater talent regarding this anime's approach to characterization, as utilized incorrectly they could very well have been flat and uninteresting. My favorite characters are difficult to choose, but I'd probably have to go with Masaki, Nagi, and Akiko. Overall, Eve no Jikan is a bold, high-quality anime with an unfortunate and naive message regarding artificial intelligence.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Dec 18, 2016

CryptidSenpai

Not Recommended

The best way to experience this show is by watching episode 4 and episode 4 only. It takes the premise of "humans and robots should be treated as equals" and uses it in a clever, unique and genuinely funny way. Had each episode been as good as that one, I'd probably be rating this show around an 8/10.

Sadly, episodes 2, 3 and 5 are unbearably boring and full of countless cliches to the extent that they completely ruin the show for me. The first and last episodes aren't much better but are at least watchable by comparison. The main things holding this series back are: ... dull visuals, uninteresting episode plots, horribly bland characters and half-assed ideas leaving you question believability of the show's universe.

I don't hate this show, so much as I wish it was a whole lot better. It has occasional moments of genius (meaning 2 or 3 moments) but ultimately left me feeling unenthralled and disappointed.

Reviewer’s Rating: 2

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