SakuraCoffin

【 S T A T S 】
Story: ★★★★☆
Animation: ★★★★★
Sound: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★★★☆  

【 Amnesia the Animation 】

Amnesia is one for the records! With flawless animation, captivating soundtrack, intense and binge worthy episodes, there simply is no way you could go astray with this series. Originally starting out as an Otome Game for Playstation Portable back in August of 2011, this popular romance visual novel game got its anime adaptation in January 2013 by the studio known as Brian's Base.

Keep your eyes open and attention focused close as this story follows the confused life of our main character, Heroine. A beautifully designed character that captures your interest immediately with her introduction and realization of having no clue to where or who she is. The overall story is so mesmerizing and intriguing that it leaves the viewer questioning each episode and where the next will take you. Even once the short series is over, you feel as if you need to rewatch it to grasp all the finer details, and trust me when I say a second run through has you understanding this tale so much more!

These character designs were truly an enjoyment, the artwork was created so beautifully and is easy to watch as well as appreciate. Each characters style is something unique to their personality. So pick your card because each of our boys is based off of one of the playing card suits including the Joker. From the colors to the background, the art and animation of Amnesia is phonomenal.

Based off the games, the anime is a reverse harem and the story adaptation starts where Heroine finds herself slipping through dimensions due to her interactions with a fairy named Orion, to fix his mishap they then must collect her lost memories in hopes of finding her way home. Half of the enjoyment with this anime is how the viewer can enjoy each relationship that Heroine encounters, so shippers can easily be happy as in a way, each couple wins.

But it isn't all simple and sweet, this story has a dark and devious nature that pulls it down the rabbit hole as an angsty soft horror giving it flair that most romance themes lack. Amnesia really brings something fresh to the table, a story-line that keeps you on edge wondering what will happen next. The beginning of each episode feels like a mystery as you start playing the guessing game while the truth unfolds.

Truly, a unique aspect and one that is enjoyable. Even if romance isn't your cup of tea you don't have to be into love stories to enjoy this show for it has a twinge of that dark horror and as long as you enjoy fantasy or action and mystery. You'll get your two cents worth.

This anime is the classic 12 episode story and its time is split between the five male characters that you instantly see our heroine being pulled toward in the incredible opening featuring the fast-paced song Zoetrope by Nagi Yanagi. Each of our male protagonists are based off of suits from a deck of cards to represent original stories routes from the Playstation games:

• Shin who is reserved and quiet who symbolizes the 'Heart' route.
• Ikki who is the seemingly flirtatious playboy type who symbolizes the 'Spade' route.
• Kent the silent and intellegent type that symbolizes the 'Clubs' route.
• Toma who is the protective childhood friend who symbolizes the 'Diamond' route.

On your first run-through you might assume that our final male lead doesn't have a theme to his own character but if you pay close attention through the show and how his character plays his hand, Ukyō is none other than the 'Joker' route. It is a heart stopper finding out who his character is and his true relationship to Heroine.

As stated before, this show has a really dark side to it which in my own opinion added only a fantastic thrill but some may be weary for this series is full of potential triggers such as death, murder, mental illness, abuse, bullying, stalking, drug use, and being abducted and trapped in a cage. If the viewer is comfortable with these themes in the show then it truly is one of the most binge worthy shows I have seen as Brian's Base leaves you with a cliff hanger at the end of each episode.

Just like how with the original light novel otome game would be based off of the players gameplay as to how the heroine ended up, the animation's ending is vague and for good reason. For once this type of minimalism does a show justice as it allows you to choose which ending our Heroine ends up in just as if you had played the original game yourself. So enjoy the experiences of each route and decide for your own who Heroine left the void for.

【 Overall 】

To this day, Amnesia is still one of my favorite and highly recomended shows for the basic fact that it is one of a kind and its story really touches base on a lot of different genre's so many people can enjoy this series. With drop-dead gorgeous animation from the colors all the way to the scenery and character designs to the soundtrack along with the incredible voice overs from both English dub and Japanese sub, this anime is a highlight. The only minor drawback is the potential triggers to those who can handle certain dark topics, I think this show is amazing for just about anyone and is one to add to your queue!