Review of Den-noh Coil

I think it took until episode seven before I got hooked on this show. It was a bit slow up until that point, but I couldn't drop it because I could sense that it was a very interesting take on the cyberpunk or techno-thriller genre. Rather than focusing on criminals or corporations, this show focuses on the possibilities of the technology and what it might mean for the individual. The basic idea of uploading, or connecting consciousness with cyberspace, is not new, but it's normally done in a way that emphasizes it's downsides. You'd probably have a hard time convincing someone this show is deepbecause it's about kids and it isn't edgy, but it actually does get quite dark. However, the ultimate themes are growth and connection with others.
The way the writers used traditional Japanese (and there is significant cross-over with other cultures' myths) mythological and folk tropes -- shrine gates, the journey to the underworld, spirits leaving the body, even naturalistic things like fog -- as a metaphor for the experience of the new technology was very well done and gave a sense that even our species' furthest future fantasies have echoes in our oldest memories and imaginings. The science held up for me: quantum computing is sufficiently far off at this point that it could be capable of this stuff.
The art style of the characters is interesting. They have a slightly simian appearance and it's refreshing to see something different to the norm in that regard. The art is high-quality throughout. My only complaint segues into the characterization. The characters are too mature for their age. I could be wrong though, and maybe exposure to such high-technology -- and they are early-adopters -- would mean they are more independent. The character of Tamako though is definetly too young: even if she was in early-twenties if would be hard to believe she had such a high position in a government department.
The music is tasteful but a bit a safe. It gets a little relevant with the flutes for the shrine scenes, but most of it is standard strings and piano stuff. This a cyberpunk show, couldn't we get one synth or drum machine?
Overall, excellent show and a great contrast for fans of GITS or Lain.