Elfen Lied was created and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto and was published in 2002 in the Weekly Young Jump by Shueisha and ended on 2005 with one hundred and seven chapters. The anime adaptation was condensed by Takao Yoshioka and Momoru Kane was the director and art director. Mamoru Kane went for a “Moe” kind of art style.
Elfen Lied Plot:
Elfen Lied focuses a kind of mutant called Diclonius. They are humanoid in appearance but have blunt horns and Vectors (invisible arms). Lucy, a Diclonius, was held in a high security facility on an island where she was held for experimentation. Lucy managed to escape and killed everybody along the way. As she was about to leave the island, she was taken out by a sniper which knocked her out. The next day, she is spotted by Kouta and Yuka washed up on the beach. When Lucy regains consciousness, she is a totally different person with a very childlike behavior and name her “Nyu” because that was all she could say. Kouta and Yuka bring her into their home where they experience difficult situations when the Special Assault Team attempt to bring her back to the laboratory or kill her.
Elfen Lied Characters:
Lucy – Lucy (also known as Kaede or Nyu) is considered the queen of the Diclonius. She’s driven by hate and torment because that was all she knew growing up. As she gets to know Kouta, she experiences love and a sense of belonging. It is later revealed that her affection for Kouta is much more deep seeded.
Kouta (Elfen Lied) – Kouta is an ordinary university student who grew up on Hokkaido. He discovers Nyu washed up on the beach, brings her in, feeds and clothes her. He is a very important person in Lucy’s life.
Yuka (Elfen Lied) – Yuka is a young woman who has always had a crush on her cousin, Kouta, ever since they were children. She missed him dearly when he had to leave but was glad to hear that he was returning to Hokkaido.
Nana (Elfen Lied) – Nana is a Diclonius who has the appearance of a young, teenage girl. She believes that the Director of research, Kuruma, is her actual father and does whatever she can to please him even if it means risking her own life.
Mayu (Elfen Lied) – Mayu is a young girl who fled from her abusive parents and ended up living on the streets. She also brought her small dog that she cares for dearly. She lives on bread crusts she asks for from a bakery. She somehow makes it to Kouta’s home and becomes involved with the Diclonius.