Minimum Tempo

There are significant spoilers in this review.

This is a rewritten version of this article. If you really wish to view the former version, please contact me.

The first episode of ef - a tale of memories did not leave a lasting impression; it was boring and unworthy of any real mention or discussion. While bloggers fought over its real value, I ignored it and kept a note to finish it someday. Finally I had finished Shuffle! one day and browsed my anime folder for something else to watch. I saw ef - a tale of memories waiting innocently, forcing me to reluctantly watch it. Judging by the general lack of humor in the first two episodes, I assumed this was one of those depressing and thought-provoking anime that carried the viewers on an emotional roller coaster ride.

Perhaps because it was an anime adaptation of an eroge, I didn’t expect for the anime to fling me around emotionally. I guess I haven’t learned since a lot of eroge seem to do the same thing. There are always tear-jerking moments and seemingly complicated (but actually quite simple) backstories for each girl. SHAFT’s presentation, however, demonstrates these types of stories at their best. I don’t care whether you disagree with me or not: ef - a tale of memories was a narrative masterpiece.

Since most of you have probably seen ef - a tale of memories, let me keep the rest of this review “short and simple.” I’ll sum up my thoughts in a numbered list:

1. ZOMG THREE MALE LEADS? Well, it worked out pretty well. Good job, SHAFT.
2. The art style may make you go WTF? or question SHAFT and presume that they used these “Photoshop filters” to make the show seem deep.
3. The show may remind you of Neon Genesis Evangelion or any other show that has tried to use text and weird colors for dramatic effect (basically a restatement of #2).
4. I don’t know if anyone else thought of it while watching, but I wonder what it would feel like to… you know… behind Chihiro’s eye patch… heh heh heh >_>
5. This anime is beautiful and eye-pleasing. Now if there are only characters to fap to…
6. Oh! It just so happens that every female is fap-worthy except Kyosuke’s ex-girlfriend. Perfect. That’s about six girls.
7. Character interaction and the portrayal of their thoughts were done excellently.
8. <3 Chihiro
9. *sob at the end of episode 11*
10. NOT ENOUGH SURPRISES; NEEDED MOAR SHOCK
11. Hey, now we have an actual screen capture of a WALL OF TEXT (episode 7).
12. Is this the best anime I’ve ever seen?
13. Definitely not, but it’s so damn good.
14. SO DAMN GOOD
15. SO FUCKING DAMN GOOD
16. Best story was Chihiro and Renji, no doubt The love triangle was a bit cliche, although still entertaining. Kyosuke’s arc was… I think pointless.
17. SO FUCKING DAMN FUCKING GOOD.

Well that’s the gist of it. I think ef - a tale of memories was brilliant. If you hate or dislike ef, FUCK YOU. Good night.

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Verdict: This is an anime that brought me to tears and was high quality in all areas. ef isn’t something I’ll find anywhere, and it’s one of those gems that each year seems to bring. Definitely recommended unless you don’t like a lack of comedy.

This post is tagged Anime & Manga, ef - a tale of memories, Review, SHAFT

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