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I know I gave the movie low mark, but please read the review instead of immediately voting down with fanboy rage. I am writing the review for people who haven't seen the King of Eden yet, but who've watched Eden of the East/

I begin by stating I loved the original Eden of the East. The story was fresh and the main characters were loveable. The art style was modern and realistic and the show didn't take itself too seriously, even with a political plot.

This isn't always the case with the movie.

---Story--- score: 5
As always with a movie, time is a limit, a story ... can't always be carved out with the depth afforded by a season. The King of Eden is a direct continuation of the original Eden of the East. That means it doesn't try to stand alone as a movie. It requires a lot of prior knowledge - if you haven't watched Eden of the East, stop reading now!

This need for prior knowledge is the first problem: with such a diverse cast from the first season, the movie tries to give everyone some screen time for the sake of it. Characters flit in and out for no apparent reason, all the time detracting from the dynamic between the central couple. In this respect there is very little development, if fact, I would argue that the entire movie is a zero sum game, as Takizawa has lost his memory and most rebuild a relationship again - in preparation for the movie's sequel.

The second problem is that the story feels stretched. The plot, the bits which have any meaning to the story, is quite simple, and it feels like it was one episode fleshed out in order to make money as a feature film. The movie has moments of long stills and pauses after speech. Long monologues are what's to be expected here. Don't make excuses for the movie as other reviewers did by saying things like "it's not afraid to be slow in order to develop the characters". It is clearly being slow for the sake of stretching this meandering conclusion over 3 hours.

The characters are forced to give long monologues as exposition to the plot. One particular discussion of the inheritance tax system really destroys any pacing or credibility that the film has as a non-money grabbing venture.

The third problem is partly covered above. There are unnecessary plot points popping up for no reason, much of which goes unresolved, such as a random object wielded at a playground. In addition, the story introduce another Seleção that apparently provides comic relief, but fails. The person also doesn't add any value to the plot. After watching the movie I feel empty inside as nothing of importance actually happens.

--Art-- score: 8
Not much to mention here. It is still the high standard set by the television show, with the addition of more obvious cgi that looks out of place. You can decide for yourself whether it's a sticking point that it hasn't changed from the TV series, but this is a movie base on a TV show, I liked it then and I like it now.

--Sound-- score: 5
The movie has an OP just like a regular episode, but the new opening lacks the same impact and catchiness as Oasis' Falling Down.
ED was standard.

I really enjoyed some of the background music, but why a 5? Well, the sound is great, when it's there. The music was totally and notably absent for much of the first hour of the running time. No music that would make those long awkward pauses, unnecessary cutscenes and wrist-slittingly long monologues more bearable. When it is there, for the climax, the suspenseful music is so dominating it was like watching Wagner. Bombastic music coupled with the poor dialogue about nothing in particular made certain scenes more unintentionally hilarious than gripping.

--Character-- score: 7
The cast is the same as the one we all got to know and apprecaite in the prequel. However, while it takes on the guise of an extended episode, The King of Eden is still a movie. A movie that falls into the classic trap, where other characters are paper cutouts apart from the leads. Having scenes of other characters "interacting" by talking at each other or repeating behaviour traits from the first season in a vain bid at humour does not constitute character development. What makes up for are the main characters, while there is also very little development, Takazawa and Saki are both loveable and believable, and their (re-)budding relationship is the only redeeming feature of the movie. However, their screen time is encroached on by pointless dialogue from other characters. If you were to watch this for the characters you will not be disappointed by inconsistency but rather the shallowness.

-- Enjoyment -- score:5

I've watched this twice, once by myself and again with my friends. I can tell you my friends laughed 3 times in this film. The biggest laugh came from the unintentional Engrish. It's not a bad film, it's just that after you finished you wished that you had spent your time better.

--Conclusion--

As a fan of Eden of the East, the King of Eden is a requirement for concluding the story, however, it's not necessarily enjoyable. Nonetheless, just because the movie isn't great, you should not treat watching it as a chore. The artwork is intricate and incredibly realised, and some backgrounds are worth seeing. Unfortunately, the other parts are very bad and really bring down what could have been a shorter, tighter and more focussed sequel.



I'm just starting to write reviews so any feedback would be kindly appreciated! =D, agree of disagree, just write me a comment and I'll be happy to discuss it (or any series I watched) with you.

A chemist with a cold takes the wrong pill and becomes a living biological weapon unwittingly as a frightening and funny story develops.

Conclusion:
Some good ideas eclipsed by its pessimistic message of incompetence on every level of society.

Positives: Gorgeous artwork, fitting background music, brilliant idea
Negatives: Weak message, frustrating plot devices, frustrating main character


In more detail:
...
Story: 7

A very simple premise used to great effect. Idiot + wrong pill = disastrous result. it's very believable, and it's easy to accept and get into. Of course, as the story progresses it becomes more surreal. With a length of 40 minutes, the pacing is good too, thanks to the director: Okamura Tensai (who also directed Wolf's Rain, read what you will into that comment). However, the short running time is to both the advantage of the viewer as well as the director. He's able to get his message, about the incompetence bred into modern life by bureaucracy, across very well, and the viewer is able to sit through it.

Art: 9

The artwork was very good. The backgrounds are incredibly detailed, yet the characters are drawn slightly simpler - giving them a cartoon-like feel. This detachment from reality was a good move. Whoever called the shots recognised that many of the characters, especially in this sort of comedic allegorical tale, will be caricatures as it is. By taking advantage of the fact that the story is slightly unbelievable, the art is used for good humour and clear exaggerated emotions. Simple and clean, the art is just great to look at.

Sound: 8

The soundtrack behind the anime reflected the spirit of the piece. It was nice, making an otherwise morbid anime funny. There is a lot of jazzy music and it fits well with the increasingly absurb situations that Nobou faces.

Character: 7

Tanaka Nobou, the main character, is an everyman. It's his unwillingness to question the decisions and circumstances he's in that leads him into so much trouble. He is useless. In terms of character development, there's none. However, the intention of this short film was not to develop it, but to get a message across.

The other characters are also generic. The incompetent bosses of the chemical plant. The arrogant Americans, the angry general... all of the do add to the experience. I personally have no problems with cliches as long as they are done well, and here, they are. Each of them add some entertainment to the short, but not something new.

Enjoyment: 7

It's not the character that's the focus, the viewer comes along for the ride. A very gassy ride. Full of death. I know that the story is meant to frighten as much as entertain. Unfortunately, this humour will only work for some people. Some slapstick, but mainly from people dying. If people dying from getting close to a guy because of his gas still makes you laugh the sixty ninth time it happens then you're onto a winner. Another issue I have with this is that it's not only the army that suffers but the civilians as well, because of the clueless protagonist. I cannot accept that as funny.

Alternatively you can watched the pretty pictures and try not to take it too seriously, that can be quite enjoyable.

Overall: 7

The story is incredibly frustrating. I do not enjoy pointless death. I do not like a protagonist that does not understand why everyone dies when he gets close / why he's the only survivor in the lab etc. How the hell did he become a scientist, researcher person in the first place? He sure isn't smart enough to be. The story tries to be deep but it doesn't manage to pull it off, and as much as they try to obscure it with humour it's still very heavy-handed, not to mention depressing. However, it does have its moments, such as the eventual results of the smell. While not perfect, Stink Bomb is a very entertaining ride - and deserves a very solid seven. Feel free to make it an eight if you mainly enjoy pretty pictures, and make it a nine, or even a ten, if you like your anime short, sweet and Strangelove-esque.

If you specifically enjoy a tenacious yet useless protagonist with incredible survival abilities then I recommend you go watch Naruto or read Love Hina, after you've watched this of course.