Anime Review ~ No.6 (2011)

 

What prompted me to watch this much talked about anime is none other than it's popularity among my fellow otaku brethren. Every other fan girl is going kyaaaa!!! Yaaaaa!!!! Ahhh!!!! over it. Being somewhat lagging behind in the anime world due to my hectic semester I couldn't help but catch up starting with this anime, No.6.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where after the apocalypse the few morsel of healthy lands that survived were made into an utopia-like kingdom. Top-notch education system, medical facilities and security amenities. There are no crime, poverty, nothing deviant of society norms. It's truly a perfect world to live in.

No.6 is one such land out of the six lands that were procured.

Amidst all of this peace and tranquility, a gifted boy named Shion is feeling restless and somewhat bored with life as a child prodigy. A fateful encounter with a fugitive who sought refuge at his house changed his life for worse...maybe not after all.

The refugee calls himself Nezumi(Rat in Japanese) and rescues Shion four years later when he was taken to a correctional facility after witnessing the bizarre death of his coworker.

Nezumi and Shion then unearth the terrible and inhuman secret behind No.6's much hushed secret to ruthlessly obtain the seemingly peaceful utopia that is No.6.


Character introduction:

~*Shion*~

A 16 year old genius who met a running fugitive in his room four years prior - who turned out to be a dangerous criminal as listed under the government database. Shion gave shelter to this refugee simply because he looked about his age.

One fateful day, Shion witnessed the sudden and nighmarish death of his coworker and was thus interrogated. He was on his way to the correctional facility when the refugee whom he sheltered four years ago in turn saved him and brought him to the slums known as the West District outside of No.6.

Shion's relationship with his rescuer is intense and borders on some boyxboy romance.

~*Nezumi*~

A street-smart survivor who managed to escape the correctional facility four years ago from the help of Shion. He is very possesive and protective towards Shion whom he may have some romantic feelings for. Shion makes a living as a stage actor in the West District slums and is pretty popular(his stage name is Eve).
His deep hatred for No.6 is later explained in the series. Nezumi is bent on destroying No.6 by obliterating the correctional facility.
Nezumi also shows some bromance towards Shion.

~*Safu*~

A genius girl who was Shion's classmate. She is interested in neurobiology. She blatantly admitted that she loves Shion very much and would do anything for him. Even asking him to sleep with him after her return from studying abroad. She is revealed to be an important medium for No.6's destruction and died in an explosion.

~*Inukashi*

Literally means Dog-Loaner. She makes a living out of running a hotel by renting out dogs as blankets(actually bed warmers lol). She is uncouth, brash and loud mouthed but deep down - she is insecure and lonely, perhaps a little sad that she had to fend for herself since young without anyone. She also makes a living as an informant.

~*Rikiga*~

A journalist who was banished from No.6. He makes a living as a pimp and errand boy of sorts. He is very attached to Shion whose mother he knew and loved when they were young.

Overall, this masterpiece of an anime gave that delicious melancholic and silent kind of restless aura to it's viewers.

Plot: Top notch
Story: Wonderful
Characters: Can I marry Nezumi?
Verdict: We have a winner for best anime of the year!