Chaos;Head

The "New Gen Killer," a famous murderer, is out there; all signs point to Takumi Nishijō, our uneventful Otaku Main Protagonist; however, he believes that a pinked hair Demon Girl is the real murderer.

 Should we believe him? Or is he really just crazy?

Nope, we have a better, more interesting; totally not generic plot! Look! Look!

Now; when starting to watch Chaos;Head, I found it interesting, and if done right, it could have been good. I emphasis the "Could have," because, Chaos;Head failed on so many levels to make a good anime. Instead we get a generic power anime. 

  Why is that?

Let's take a look.

Chaos;Head is a thriller "Mystery" esk anime, with some elements of romance, that follows Takumi Nishijo, a second year High-School student who is wrapped up in the "New Gen Killings," a series of murders which are only linked by the uncanny mention of them by a man named, "The General." 

    Well... This is the plot for like three episodes tops. Then, we get something about Giglomaniacs (People that can bring their imagination to life) corporate and religious take-over through a machine, and... That's about it.

 This is actually what I want to discuss first, because it is my biggest dislike of the show. We have two plots:

 Plot A being the "New Gen Killings," as Takumi deals with the realization that he may be the killer, meanwhile searching for the truth.

Plot B being the corporate and religious take-over of  the city through a machine that works like an artificial Giglomaniac. Adds this, plus adds the, "We have swords to fight evil," trope thing (You know what I'm talking about.) Which just adds to the ridiculousness. 

To me, Plot B is very generic, and basically the "Evil corporation trope," which is done to death in anime. Not only that, but we also add in a very distasteful look into religion and there influence on politics, and it almost seems bigoted in its approach. 

  And if that wasn't bad enough, this is basically the main plot that runs Chaos;Head. So much so, that plot A is basically ignored, making the mystery elements obsolete, since the "Big reveals" don't really have any evidence presented to us, the viewer, except for a few very minor points that wouldn't even give it away.

 This leads to a "Good V.S Evil," trope being presented, that, quite honestly, felt alien in an anime that started out discussing what could have been, a big mystery. 

[Spoilers]

 As a gripe, I want to discuss, "Ir2"

According to the anime, this formula created Giglomaniacs, thus destroying the world? The formula is also ridiculous, "fun^10xint^40=Ir2"

 "Fun," is what really got me... Like. Who decided to use that formula in what is suppose to be a "Serious" anime, atleast in some sense!

[Spoilers ended]

And to make matters worse, the characters, another important thing to a successful anime; aren't well developed (With the exception of one or two.)

 Let's take a look at why.

Takumi Nishijo, I must admit, is probably the most developed (Up until the end) and honestly, felt very natural "At Times."

 It is "At Times," because; I thought, while his mental break-downs, his denial, and his emotional destruction near the end felt very much in character for a suggested paranoid individual; it didn't save the other points where he is rash to turn opinions quickly. 

 An example of this is Rimi, his "Love interest," of the tale.

In the beginning, Takumi sees her crucify an individual, and for the first few episodes he is absolutely terrified of her. But then, we see an instant change where he begins to fall in love with her, and takes her as his protector, an end point that wasn't deserved, and felt extremely unnatural.

  Along with this; the last two episodes change Takumi into a bland protagonist without feeling... Litterally. He is completly different, and it is definitely uncalled for, and unnatural. 

  

[Spoilers]

To make matters worse, Rimi isn't that interesting of a character.

  Let me explain. We learn in about episode 10 that Takumi and the general are one in the same; something was suggested in earlier episodes by a detective investigating the murders (A student detective named Yua. Don't worry, we'll discuss her later.)

         Now, we see two scene, ONLY TWO SCENES, of Takumi (The general) and Rimi having discussion. We don't know how they met, why they connected, why Rimi loves Takumi; none of this is explained. And y'know what? They should have, but nope! 

 [Spoilers ended]

Other then that, Rimi isn't worth discussing. She's bland, and as a main heroine, she has a bare personality.

But what about the other girls? 

  They aren't any better sadly (The exception being a girl named Sena, will discuss.)

Nanmani is sister of Takumi; somewhat developed, though she follows the "Anime sister," cliche (Cute little sister who guides the older brother), which is a sin within it's own right. They could have done better.

Ayase, "FES" is a white haired class-mate, and some-what insane; speaks in religious jargon as-well, while not really adding anything to the story; well until everything she said is then explained by Sena anyways.

Yua is a blonde hair nerdish like girl who is investigating the "New Gen Killings," and believes Takumi is the killer. My problem with her is that she has two sides to her "Generically Nerdy yet boring," and "Uncharacteristically rough,"

 This is bad, because the uncharacteristically rough," trait is used once or twice, then never utilized again which leaves a bad taste in your mouth long after the scene is over.

Kozue is an exchange student... Doesn't talk allot, and is very undefined. Even the reason why she doesn't talk makes little sense (She was stalked when she was younger by people with mirrors... It makes no sense.) 

And finally, we have Sena, a blacked hair, serious third year. She is the one to explain most of Plot B, and she has a pretty good back-story. 

 I especially love the visual metaphors they use to show what she's feeling (Such as, a chain showing she is held back by her past.), and the ending seems pretty natural, yet generic; since the progression led to something is done many times in anime (The forgiving of a love one.) 

After the main heroines, we have side characters; though I can clump them all into the "Not interesting," pile of things, since... They really aren't.

 For example, take the detective Yasuji Ban. I felt his only purpose in the entire plot was to bring in a plot device (Things called GE ratings) Which... I honestly think is never explained... NEVER. And I guess, by the way people talk about it, it is an important thing. 

 Well... At-least the animation is fluent, voice acting is good too! 

  Also, the main theme is probably one of my favorite themes in anime now. It is very well done, and I can't stop listening to it. You should seriously check it out if you can.

 

But... Other then that, this anime, "Chaos;Head," was a let down. For what started out with what could become an interesting plot; it went the wrong direction, and instead turned to the trope of "Good V.S Evil," which for what they set up, isn't what we should get.

  Along with this, add in morphing character personalities (That happen in a snap) to our main character, Takumi, boring heroine list, forgettable side-characters, and a in-your-face, uncalled for set of reveals, and villains so villainy that they basically declare it throughout the anime.

 Not only this, but also add in bigotry of religion and big corporation, and... A very well thought out ending.

 Yes, I thought the ending was very good, and ended exactly where it should have. 

But... It didn't save the anime, just saying. That is why I don't recommend it.

 There is a sea of anime, and wasting roughly six hours on Chaos;Head is a waste of time. If you've seen everything else, prepare to be disappointed, because Chaos;Head is just a disappointment, and not very good.

  5/10

Like the review? Want me to review something next?

 Comment below, like or something, if you liked it. 

And good hunting!