NieA Under 7 - Under Seven Blues (Vol. 4)

Rating:
Summary: beautiful
Review: A lot of people seem to hate this series. Maybe since it's by the same people who did Lain, they were expecting something different. I think it's just great.

Niea Under Seven is a story about a handful of poor people, living in a contemporary Japan that's been inhabited by aliens due to their mothership crashing. One alien, Niea, "befriends" Mayuko, a teenage girl. The story concentrates on these two as Niea constantly tries to score food for her always empty belly and Mayuko is struggling trying to get through cram school on a shoestring budget. The fact that there are aliens and humans is actually pretty subtle, and almost not necessary (although some symbolism is accomplished with them). Don't expect a massive dose of sci-fi action with Niea Under Seven.

Niea Under Seven features gorgeous art, it's really a beautiful show. The town of Enohana is quiet and peaceful, and the characters all work together, much like in any typical small town. Watching NU7 really just makes me want to live there, I get carried away into their world and next thing I know an episode is over.

The plot is subtle and slow, in fact there really is no plot. Many loose ends are never resolved. You're really just watching a small slice of these people's lives, and I like that. A bit of a risk, and I think it paid off. Highly recommended, but be weary you may not get what you're expecting.

Rating:
Summary: THIS ONE'S A KEEPER!
Review: I watched this series because of LAIN and I was NOT disappointed.
Now, while I absolutely LOVE Lain, it just isn't the kind of series that you just sit and watch for hours and hours again and again. You can only handle two or three episodes of LAIN before your brain starts gasping for air.
NieA, however, is totally different.
I could happily sit through all 13 episodes and still be begging for more. It's a really interesting anime, beautifully carried out in bright colours, great music and a gripping story with characters you care about.
And did I mention it's totally HILLARIOUS?!! I find myself laughing out loud at least four or five times per episode. The timing, the animation, the voices... GOD, IT'S FUNNY. This is anime comedy at it's best.
I highly recommend watching it in Japanese, though. This sort of humor just isn't written for english. Don't get me wrong; lots of animes work very well in english, some in fact are supperior when they are dubbed (LAIN for instance is vastly improved) but NieA is essentially a Japanese show and I think it works best in it's original language.
Having said that I still plan on buying these new DVD's from Pioneer once they're available. NieA is definately one to own and belongs in any anime collection under comedy.