Review of Den-noh Coil
Dennou Coil might very well be the most difficult anime series to evaluate with nothing more than a simple numeric grade. It's odd combination of childlike charm and philosophical substance make it a very on and off show, yet the unique execution of it makes this a rewarding show for those willing to sit through it's few dragging bits. Story; 10. The story in DC really does begin to develop as you would expect your average kid's show to progress. The elements are all there, however the plot is executed with far more complexity than a kid's show, and is interwoven in a way that allowsit to stand center stage, yet coexist with the enticingly fun childish atmosphere brought about by the various other aspects of the series. Another interesting point is the "filler" in DC. There are a handful of episodes that stray almost entirely from the main story arc, generally following the antics of the cyber detectives club. And more often than not, such plot deviation is a recipe for disaster. However, the opposite would have to be true in the case of DC, as these seemingly random tangents in the story wound up being some of my favorite episodes (the bearded ones comes to mind especially, being my favorite episode hands down.) It's really it's own style, and save for a small number of slowly paced episodes, DC manages to pull off a feat that looks like a disaster on paper very well.
Art; 8. This really does come down to opinion, but I loved the art for this show. It was extremely simple, which helped to make it very inviting. The way many things were portrayed physically (ie. antivirus software, etc.) I found to be very creative, and the digital pets were also pretty damn cool themselves. There was a certain playful artistic air about the series, and while some may frown at the simplicity in the face of many newer, far more aesthetically pleasing shows, I'll go for the fun of Dennou Coil over that any day.
Sound; 8. The few BGMs in DC actually fit where they were used, and while one in particular was kind of cheesy, it really did fit, and that's more than you can say for the average anime OST. I also didn't find the opening theme to be terribly grating. Which is usually the case.
Character; 10. It's unusual with a show featuring more than three or four cast characters to have a completely fulfilling roster for me, but this is yet another area that DC managed to completely divert from what I am used to. All of the characters had, by series end, grown on me in one way or another. The series boasts a cast of middle/elementary school kids who ACTUALLY portray convincing kids for the age group. I think they well done characters helped bring about that playful, childlike mood perfectly, while also being able to maintain a fairly "heavy," adult plotline at the same time. It is my pleasure to say that DC has an essentially perfect cast of crazy, fun and enjoyable characters.
Enjoyment/Overall; 8. I'm torn with giving this a fair numeric grade, as it seems to bounce between perfect and average. Though it unquestionably leans towards the former, the fact remains that a few slow downs here and there, along with some small technical issues keep it from being the ten it easily could be. If I were to grade it on content and artistry alone, I could very easily give it a ten. But I can't ignore the small issues that come with it, so I have to try and settle it out somewhere. Suffice to say, I think anyone who either enjoys a serious plotline, or just enjoys a good fun time, will be able to find something to love here. I waited far too long to sit down and watch this, and I suggest you do not make the same mistake I did!