Elfen Lied (2004)

Kernel Score: 90% · 1,412 ratings

Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

First aired: 2004-07-25

Seasons: 1 · 13 episodes

Overview

The Diclonius, a mutated homo sapien that is said to be selected by God and will eventually become the destruction of mankind, possesses two horns in their heads, and has a "sixth sense" which gives it telekinetic abilities. Due to this dangerous power, they have been captured and isolated in laboratories by the government. Lucy, a young and psychotic Diclonius, manages to break free of her confines and brutally murder most of the guards in the laboratory, only to get shot in the head as she makes her escape. She survives and manages to drift along to a beach, where two teenagers named Kouta and Yuka discovers her. Having lost her memories, she was named after the only thing that she can now say, "Nyuu," and the two allow her to stay at Kouta's home. However, it appears that the evil "Lucy" is not dead just yet...

Elfen Lied parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Elfen Lied is a TV-MA anime featuring extreme graphic violence, gore, and childhood trauma including abuse.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — The series includes decapitation, massacre, and gore as the psychotic protagonist violently escapes confinement.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-MA rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

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Cast

  • Chihiro Suzuki as Kouta (voice)
  • Sanae Kobayashi as Lucy / Nyuu (voice)
  • Emiko Hagiwara as Mayu (voice)
  • Hiroaki Hirata as Professor Kakuzawa Yu (voice)
  • Hitomi Nabatame as Kouta (child) / Shirakawa (voice)
  • Jouji Nakata as Bandou (voice)
  • Kinryu Arimoto as Chief Kakuzawa (voice)
  • Maria Yamamoto as Kanae (voice)
  • Osamu Hosoi as Kurama (voice)
  • Tomoko Kawakami as Mariko (voice)

Elfen Lied FAQ

Is Elfen Lied good?

Elfen Lied has a 90% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,412 audience ratings.

Is Elfen Lied OK for kids?

Elfen Lied is rated TV-MA. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Elfen Lied is a TV-MA anime featuring extreme graphic violence, gore, and childhood trauma including abuse.

What shows are like Elfen Lied?

If you liked Elfen Lied, try The Promised Neverland, Hell Girl, Parasyte -the maxim- and Tokyo Ghoul.