notoriousj0e

Claymore was an anime that I liked initially, until I came to a realization. A few episodes in I discovered that there was nothing to the story. The anime is essentially directionless until a final battle is slapped together topped off with pathos and an anti-climax. The premise and dark-fantasy setting aren't bad, Claymore just spends 26 episodes getting good without quite making it.

The animation is surprisingly poor qulaity and choppy for a Moneyhouse...excuse me... Madhouse production. Initially, Claymore looked to be a Berserk-like anime. Claymore never held a candle to the mature yet fantastical atmosphere of Berserk, and therefore cannot get away with rough and unrefined visuals.

The sound is nothing noteworthy. Although I must say, Todd Haberkorn (Raki in Claymore, Firo in Baccano, Layfon in ChromeShelled Regios, among others) has got to be the most obnoxious english voice actor. I know its probably my fault for being dumb enough to watch the dub, but he sounds like Ed Elric had been snorting killer bees. I like Ed Elric's dub voice and Haberkorn was just fine as Ling in FMAB, but do yourself a favor, and read the subtitles on any other show with Haberkorn. He's like poison ivy for your eardrums. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming

Clare is a good enough character. Clare and Raki have just enough chemistry to remain interesting. Clare is developed well. Raki not-so-well. Most side characters are drones and clones. Not much in that department. When a character dies in claymore, it is often hard to care that much. The whole show suffers because of this because the dark in dark-fantasy isn't very impactful.

Summary:While you can do worse than Claymore, expect to be disapointed if you follow the Madhouse groupies on this one.