Initially, I really like Eden of the East. The characters are likable and among all the anime series this spring '09 season, this series has the most unique plot. However, midway through the series, I started to lose interest and I'm not really sure why. I guess one reason may have to do with the characters. At the beginning, I really like Akira and Saki. However, though Saki did grow a little stronger over series, I find her too weak. I simply can't stand female characters who rely on guys. As for Akira, I do like him but I find him too perfect. He's intelligent, compassionate and funny. Perfection is ideal but not realistic. Also, the other characters, except for Shiratori, are simply not interesting enough.Given that it's only a short series, I feel that this series should be more focused. Throughout the 11 episodes, I feel as if I'm overloaded with information. I think they are trying to put too much stuff into it. As expected, the series ended with a cliffhanger. I don't really like the ending as I don't understand why Akira erased his memories again and what's the deal about being a prince? There are many questions left unanswered and I hope they will be answered in the 2 Eden of the East movies, which are due for release on Nov '09 and Jan '10 respectively. Of course, the DVD will only be released much later and I hope by then, I can still remember the details of the plot. It's gonna be a long wait..Having said all that, overall I still think this is a good series. The one thing I really like is its animation. It's awesome! Another thing I like is the plot. The concept of Selecao is really interesting and I hope that more focus will be placed on the 12 Selecao and Mr Outside in the 2 movies.Plot: 9/10Characters: 7/10Entertainment Level: 8/10Animation: 10/10What's Hot?Pantsu managed to recover the Selecao transaction history from Kondo's phone, and he discovered that the Selecao were indeed responsible for Careless Monday, as well as a series of mysterious evacuations in the targeted areas beforehand. Akira was also apparently responsible for the 20,000 missing NEETs.Mononobe, Selecao No. 01, and Yuuki, Selecao No. 10, followed Akira to Kyoto. Pantsu discovered that Selecao No. 10 was responsible for the missile attacks, and that it was Akira who arranged the evacuations. He then discovered something shocking and rushed outside to warn Akira only to be run down by Mononobe, who destroyed Kondo's phone before calling Akira.Akira and Mononobe face off. Mononobe told Akira that he believed Mr Outside is an old man named Ato Saizo who is the president of the ATO company. He's a great political figure who helped fix Japan but might have already died of terminal cancer. Despite that, the game still continues on because of the Supporter. Mononobe said that he would become Mr Outside and control Juiz. - Mononobe seems like an interesting character but too bad, his airtime is too little. I want to see how he try to become Mr Outside. Of course, I want to know who the Supporter is.Mononobe, along with Yuuki and Selecao No. 2 Tsuji, plan to launch more missiles and Yuuki told Akira not to get in their way again. They also tell him why he erased his memories. Back then, Akira was in despair after he got betrayed by the people he attempted to help. - Now, everything is starting to make more sense.A woman suddenly came in and told the three Selecao that no winner was determined yet. Monobe checked his phone and realized that Juiz had been moved to a hidden location. It appeared that Selecao No. 12 may be the Supporter or even Mr Outside. - Such mind games make this series a joy to watch.In a taxi, Saki, who was listening to the entire conversation between Akira and the 2 Selecao, found out about Akira's past and told her friends about it. - Good! Oosugi is finally convinced that Akira is a good guy. As for the taxi driver, he looks really creepy and he may be the Supporter or Mr Outside (Ato Saizo). The taxi he's driving has the name 'Ato Taxi' on it.Oosugi and friends stripped naked and pretended to be one of the NEETs, so that they could retrieve Micchon's laptop. Plan succeed but they ended up getting chased by the naked NEETs. - LOL! Oosugi is so funny.Akira contacted all of the NEETs and told them he has arranged a bigger missile attack, and instructed them to figure out the best way to intercept the missiles. Using the NEETs' collective knowledge, Juiz organized a network of jet fighters and Patriot missile launchers to intercept the missiles. - Akira looks really cool when he 'shoots' down the missiles.What's Not?Saki's friends looked outside to see a ship full of naked guys who they think are the missing NEETs. - Hmm... I thought that in Episode 5, Akira bumped into a guy who happened to be one of those NEETs who were sent to Dubai? So does that mean the NEETs were sent back from Dubai in batches?Akira instructed Juiz to use all his remaining money to make him 'King of Japan'. His reasoning was that there are many smart people in Japan, but none of them are willing to bear the responsibility of leadership, so it's up to him to take it. In order to become King, Akira used his phone to brainwash himself and he then slipped the phone into Saki's pocket. The episode ends with Saki contemplating what will happen to Japan now that Akira is a prince. - I'm confused! Is Akira a King or Prince? Also, how can Akira become King of Japan with just about half of his original budget? And why didn't the Supporter immediately come and kill Akira for exhausting the budget without saving Japan? So does this mean that Akira has succeeded in saving Japan?
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