Memory Monday: Week 1

This is a new weekly segment that I've wanted to start for awhile where I will choose an anime that has completed airing and talk about it. The anime might be one that has been overlooked, critically acclaimed, or nostalgic. Hopefully I will be able to give a different perspective on the show to people who have already seen it and give motivation to watch it for people who have yet to.

This week's Memory Monday is SPOILER FREE :D

So without further ado, this week's pick is:

Eve no Jikan (The Time of Eve)
Number of Episodes: 6
Run Time: 18 minutes per episode
Personal Rating: 9/10
You can watch Eve no Jikan on Crunchyroll here (though you need premium access for episode 2-6)

Eve no Jikan is one of the anime I would consider close to a masterpiece and it's something that a lot of people have never watched or even heard of which makes it a great pick for Memory Monday. Eve no Jikan is one of my favorite anime and I hope after you read this, you'll watch it and enjoy it just as much as I do.

What it's about:
Eve no Jikan takes place in the future where cybernetic technology has reached the point where human like robots are able to be mass produced. As a result almost every household, business, even schools have robots in them as servants. As the viewer will find out, just as our cell phones have many different carriers and types, so too do these androids. Some are almost impossible to discern from humans while others look like stereotypical robots.
The story follows the main character and his friend who look into the activities of his house's robot after he discovers from "her" activity log that she keeps disappearing for hours at a time with little to no explanation. He and his friend discover that she has been going to a cafe called Eve no Jikan and thus decide to check out the cafe for themselves. The first thing they notice is a sign with a very strange rule written declaring that "Humans and Robots have no distinction in this store." Their further investigation within this short 6 series leads them to eye opening experiences that ultimately change their view on society and the morals they thought were correct. 

Short and Sweet:
Eve no Jikan does something that most anime can't even accomplish in 26 episodes, it makes you feel like you're apart of their world, it makes you invested in the characters, and it is extremely entertaining with both laughs, sobs, and philosophical questions. Every time I remember this anime I always can't help but feel impressed by just how well it told a story in just 6 not even full lengthed episodes.

Aside from creating an immersive world, Eve no Jikan also has some of the best characters of any anime ever. Thanks to this, every moment of this anime never felt boring or uninteresting. Instead, you would just suddenly find yourself at the end of the episode, excited for the next one. This was only enhanced by the great voice work due in part to famous, talented voice actors and actresses such as Miyuku Sawashiro, Rie Tanaka, Kenji Nojima, and Jun Fukuyama.

I will touch on the animation more in detail later, but Eve no Jikan definitely has some of the best animation I have ever seen, even today. The production quality of the anime definitely shows and is something that is impossible to miss. From the very beginning, it's easy to tell just how much work went into making each episode consistently an animated masterpiece.

It's a matter of Character:
Arguably Eve no Jikan's strongest aspects are its characters. Each episode tells a different story about a different character that the main characters meet in the cafe. The interactions that the main characters have with these people not only paint a vivid picture of the world that they live in but also flesh out the main characters making them much more relatable even if they're from the future.

Additionally, each character is unique and feels fresh. You will come to love these characters very easily and thus really feel for characters especially when they go through tough times. Furthermore characters will either go through a transformation due to the interactions with the side characters or general life experience. Seeing how these characters transform is a very rewarding, enjoyable experience which makes the anime even more enjoyable.

Wealth of Quality:
A lot of praise for Eve no Jikan goes to its animation. Great lighting, cinematography, fluidity, and overall quality earn it its critical acclaim. If you have ever watched any of Makoto Shinkai's movies, you will be able to draw parallels with the amount of detail that went into the anime. The studio that animated this, Studio Rikka, was apparently created for the sole purpose of making this 6 episode anime as well as the eventual movie adaptation. Even watching this series now, roughly 6 years after its initial release, I am still amazed by how masterful the animation for this anime is.

The voice acting is also something that should definitely be recognized. The anime's atmosphere would be nothing without its talented cast. Whether it was a serious or a comedic scene, the voice actors fit the tone perfectly making the immersion that much better.

I feel like I should also mention the great soundtrack that Eve no Jikan had. Though limited since it was only for a 6 episode series, the music fit the anime perfectly serving as a tool to enthrall the viewer even more into its world. 

A Real Head Scratcher:
If I had to choose my favorite aspect of Eve no Jikan, it would definitely have to be the questions that it raises. Can robots and humans coexist? What does it mean to be human? Should robots be treated as human? These questions are left for the viewer to answer themselves as they go through the anime though the author's opinion definitely shines through. Seeing the characters form their own opinion as the series progresses is a reward in of itself, but after the curtains close, you're left thinking about all these questions and our future as human beings. I personally love series that make you think about these hypothetical situations that could also be related to current situations and Eve no Jikan accomplishes this magnificently.

Should You Watch It? Final Verdict:
YES!
Eve no Jikan is a classic, a masterpiece, and a revolutionary anime that puts the majority of anime to shame. For a short 6 episode anime with only 18 minutes per episode, you're getting more value than you ever could from most anime.  If you missed out on it you're doing yourself a major disservice. I can never recommend this anime enough to people. Even if you are not an anime fan, I can guarantee that you will enjoy this series.