STORY: Definitely a change from the usual, short but mostly unpredictable. Playing on moral dilemmas, showing how acts of bravery can turn on you, implying how money can make the world go right (or wrong), and questioning how far someone will go for their ideals of righteousness, this is definitely more complex than many other anime I've stumbled about. Lots of mysteries and conspiracies in the background are solved bit by bit without spoiling the whole storyline; however, some things stay hazy and complicated, so it can get confusing at times. Very beginning seems a bit kiddy and like a weird take on a fairy tale, though that fades quickly. Biggest downside may be the end as it doesn't really wrap anything up but instead takes a circular take back to the beginning, which for me just doesn't work in anime (sorry). For further closure, you might have to watch the movies.
Well-done characters with good development and dynamics though for such a short series, even if many side characters stay somewhat in the shade.
DIALOGUE: Not extraordinary but easy to follow with overall good flow.
ANIMATION: Latest quality, with some funny effects. Personally, I was a bit annoyed at how they showed naked guys everywhere and tried to cover up their private parts with white spots. They really coulda left the guys their underwear. (The effect looks like someone had gone through the pic with a paint program eraser. A dark pic teeming with white spots is supposed to be hilarious or what? Only gave me a headache =.=°)
ENTERTAINMENT: Smart-witted comedy, not over-the-top, but suspense and character development were good enough to leave me on the edge of my seat for the whole length of this anime. Certainly a breath of air from generic! Complex, thought-provoking and sometimes amusing :) Would not state this as a good startoff into the anime world, but it's a definitely recommended watch for any mystery/suspense lover not minding a touch of weirdness.

The anime under its English name is here: http://anime-access.com/anime/E/Eden_of_the_East_%28TV%29 (just an FYI). Full review here: http://anime-access.com/anime/E/Eden_of_the_East_%28TV%29/reviews/id/19671#review but I dare say I've made my point.

Thank you for reading. (show less)

"Higashi no Eden" was a good mysteries series but it felt like the plot never reached its full potential.

The story started off pretty well though the main focus seemed to be on romance. After a while love became more of a background theme and secrets started to be revealed. Unfortunately the ending was a bit rushed and wasn't as epic as I expected.

The conversations were nothing extraordinary, not particularly funny or awesome but not bad either.

The animation wasn't always consistent. Sometimes a character didn't look the same as he usually would which kind of broke the flow of the anime but this didn't happen to often.

"Higashi no Eden" is good but not the best. It's enjoyable to watch, not too predictable and gives you something to think about. I would have happily watched another ten episodes but that might have stretched it out too thin. (show less)

Eden of the east is one of the anime that i think is very original and one of the masterpiece. It not followed the mainstream,which evolved of supernatural and action type, which usually lacking a new element. However, this anime not one of the stereotype, it consists of of new storyline and new elements, not just cliche and classic elements.The animation also is very refined, which can be seen through it arts ( especially the background, which looks so real), the storyline, the development and lastly the morale of the stories.

It start a slow, weird and a bit humorous ( i mean,a naked guy in the very first scene) and from there the storyline start to develop fast and it intriguing me. It was a good start, a moderate paced development and the air of mysterious keep me watching it until the end. Development is well-aligned, it start with many mysteries, then the mysteries start to solve a bit by bit without spoiled the entertainment and the storyline.

As conclusion, this anime is very interesting to watch even it not from the mainstream. It give a new elements of anime and also contains classic elements. It definitely one of the must seen anime. Especially, it contain such a pretty arts ( other anime like Mushi-shi) and refreshing elements. As a fan from the mainstream, I gave applause toward this anime cause it managed glued me to the screen no-stopping. Even you mainstream fan, an exception sometimes happened and this anime is an exception. Without doubt this anime deserved as winner of Tokyo Anime Award, Television Categories 2009. (show less)