Nov 8, 2021
I was attracted to this series because of the unique, feminine artwork and because it's a dark tale of friendship between girls, which is fairly uncommon even in shoujo anime. It does a good job of drawing four distinct and interesting main characters together in an intriguing and suspenseful supernatural mystery, wrapped in an atmosphere of melancholic melodrama.
Around its midpoint, though, it becomes too mild and drawn-out in its attempt to show the evolution of relationships as a result of violence. Nothing unexpected happens. Frowning friends fret over the girls being "Not the same," a boyfriend is tearfully dumped for his own good, fathers are
...
forgiven. And, for all this show's concentration on dialogue and emotion, it really only ever explores one or two conflicts per each character. Claire is tired, apathetic and angry at her father. Rose is meek and self-sacrificing for her family. Rachel is brash and selfish. Hervé is driven by his overattachment to his little sister in traditional, quasi-incestuous anime fashion. There are too many scenes establishing and re-establishing these dynamics, not enough that actually challenge or explore them. What relationship or personality developments there are don't really need supernatural, life-and-death battle as a catalyst, making the interpersonal elements of the show seem incongruous with the Dolore-fighting.
While the show spends all this time focused on interpersonal relationships, it misses big opportunities to explore its more interesting supernatural elements, like the two warring groups, the Dolore and the Animus—90% of their scenes consist of groups standing around talking in hospital rooms and the headmistress' office. It's too bad this show couldn't ties its elements together more cohesively.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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