“Escaped telekinetic test subject Lucy, now childlike and split, is sheltered by students, dragging them into government conspiracy.”
Elfen Lied
エルフェンリート
Would You Love or Hate This?
AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Escaped telekinetic test subject Lucy, now childlike and split, is sheltered by students, dragging them into government conspiracy.
Lucy is a special breed of human referred to as Diclonius, born with a short pair of horns and invisible telekinetic hands that lands her as a victim of inhumane scientific experimentation by the government. However, once circumstances present her an opportunity to escape, Lucy, corrupted by the confinement and torture, unleashes a torrent of bloodshed as she escapes her captors. During her breakout, she receives a crippling head injury that leaves her with a split personality: someone with the mentality of a harmless child possessing limited speech capacity. In this state of instability, she stumbles upon two college students, Kouta and his cousin Yuka, who unknowingly take an injured fugitive into their care, unaware of her murderous tendencies. This act of kindness will change their lives, as they soon find themselves dragged into the shadowy world of government secrecy and conspiracy.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 317 sampled reviews
What 317 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.96 · split reception
6.7 pts
Recommenders 9.2 · others 2.5
↓ 2.74
Running avg · Nov 2006 → Jan 2026
- 10 “Nyuu~nyuu!!! :3 Story-nyuu: Nyuu! Art-nyuu: Nyuu! Sound-nyuu: ♪♪♪Nyu nyu nyuu nyu nyu, nyu nyu nyuu nyu nyu nyu nyuuu, nyu nyu nyu nyuu♪♪♪ Character-nyuu: Kouta”
- 9 “Deeply haunting and impressive: the blood and gore; the violence; and the tangible sadness emanating from the characters themselves. And its definitely not for everybody. An alternative to the...”
- 10 “First time writing a review. Elfen Lied was one of the anime that gets you hooked on the first episode, it has a great storyline that will make you just keep on watching the anime without stoping,...”
Watch Order & Related
Explore the Elfen Lied universe
Cast
See all →Trailers & videos
See all →Gallery
See all →If you stay for this, you'll stay for these
See all →The community pairs this with
See all →Made by
See all credits →Production slate
- Format 13 × 25′ eps × min
- Total runtime 5h 25m all episodes
- Aired Jul 2004 – Oct 2004 Summer 2004
- Source Tv media type
- Rated R+ Mild Nudity
- Ref. BS-0203 catalog
Produced by
- VAP Producer
- Genco Producer
- Zack Promotion Producer
Licensed by
- ADV Films Licensor
- Sentai Filmworks Licensor