So I sorta caught some flack after saying that CLAYMORE looked like a generic shounen anime. Okay, so it’s got a girl with a huge sword as the lead character! After watching the first episode, I’m still convinced this anime will suck.
CLAYMORE is set in some fantasy universe where there are humans, youma, and claymore. Humans are humans, y’know, like you and me (hopefully). Youma are monsters, and claymore are half youma, half humans. Claymore are always female, and apparently it’s their job to exterminate youma, because humans are too wimpy to do it themselves.
One particular claymore, Clare, has just entered a town where a youma murder has occurred! One of the victim’s relatives, Raki, develops a sort of fascination with Clare and follows her around town. She saves his life not once, but twice in this episode! The first time at his house when he gets ambushed, and later on in the forest. The second battle is particularly gruesome since the youma sticks her arm through Clare’s stomach! Ouch! She seems to have some kind of super healing factor, so no harm, no foul I guess.
At the end of the episode, Clare decides to let Raki follow her around some more. Or at least, I’m assuming she’s letting him, since they both walk into the sunset…
So as far as the story goes I’m not really impressed. Clare must have some kind of tragic past, but I’m not quite relating with her since she’s kind of a bitch. Plus the sidekick Raki is also really annoying. I kind of like the youma better, to be honest.
The art didn’t do much for me either. The animation itself was decent (though overly dark for my tastes), but the characters themselves are totally ugly! If only Clare wore glasses… Also, I was totally reminded of the annoying kid from Futakoi when watching CLAYMORE, and guess what, the voice actor for Raki is the same! I can’t help but associate those characters now.
CLAYMORE is sort of a novelty since it’s so gory, but other than that, I can’t really think of a good reason to keep watching. I was literally falling asleep at parts of this anime. I’ll go ahead and put this on my “list of anime to make fun of if I get bored” list.
People were saying good things about the manga, though. Perhaps I’ll try a volume, and if I like it, I may return to the anime some time.
Wow, I really like this anime. One of the most intriguing anime in a very long time. The beginning was a little slow, but it got very interesting and intense. Claymore just got a new fan. Keep them coming!
I wasn’t too impressed with this anime to begin with. Like you, I thought it was a little too dark and more about the gore. After i’d watched a few more episodes, I was hooked! You should watch a few more episodes and then see if you still don’t like it.
I totally agree with Romantix. Don’t just judge an anime by it’s first episode. Watch it a little more and see it’s awesome storyline. I got hooked into Claymore through the manga and by far I love the plot! I recommend watching it!
I love the manga the episode I even really like the first episode one.
I could tell from the first one that this would be a very deep anime.
Well it not deep like death note but it pretty close and there action which make it really good. Plus I like Rika I thank that they always need to be that weak link to make the main person look better.
Know for the problem I am having with episode 20 it change 3 very vital
scene will two of them they really need if they wanted to fallow the manga the other I just really like but with that episode it told me that they are finishing it at 26 not going any father they going to change it so it will end at 26 a new ending that is which mean it want be as good as it could be.
Claymore is one of those shows that starts off really slow, but really starts picking up, sort of like Noir or Blood. Episode 22 is out, and OMFG the series so far has been awesome. I read the wikipedia page a while back, and around Episode 20 had to find the manga and see where the story is going.
All I can say is I hope they manage to squeeze Clare’s battle with the Silver Eyed Lion King into the next 5 episodes (scene 59-60 in the anime).
This is definitely one of the best shows I’ve seen to date, up there with the first Bleach arc before the show hit rock bottom.
By episode 8 or so you will be hooked…
yep, Claymore starts out slow and has the “cliche” emotionally loaded storyline– at first. but after you get several episodes into it, you quickly realize why most polls rate it with 5 out of 5 stars. it is absolutely superb! at first you think it’s blonde girls with big swords killing ugly monsters. but you find out that there is a real depth to the story that most anime try to achieve but never do. the lines between good and evil are blurred, all the characters get caught up in it… true suspense. Few stories leave me with surprises anymore, but here i find myself wondering what is going to happen next and who the good, the bad, and the ugly really are!
someone mentioned that they spend a lot of time building up really powerful characters and then they die seemingly suddenly. i like that quality– it adds realism, and i’m sick of anime that are afraid to kill off the main characters. i would argue that even if Clare dies, there will be plenty of story left to tell.
first impression? not impressed. but get into it, and it’s easily one of the top 3 anime of all time.
and it’s only at episode 24!!
Just finished ep. 26… What a rush… Just loved this series. All I can say without spoiling anything is that if there isn’t a next season, it won’t be because of how this episode ended.
*crosses fingers and hopes for more episodes*
I will definitely agree I was recommended to watch this show by a friend. It starts off way to slow but does a 360 and is one of the hottest animes out. Please check this out it is that offical
If you know anything about Cinema or film, you’ll appreciate this series quite a bit. It has a lot of details in the animation. If you know anything about lighting, composition, and the many other aspects of film, you’ll like this.
Please tell me there is a second season…. PLEASE!!!!!!
Here’s something I learned with watching anime or any other film or movie out there: NEVER judge anything by your 1st impression. Give it a 2nd, a 3rd, a 4th – hell, even a 10th chance – THEN feel free to ignore it. ^^
spoiler*
don’t die galatea!(manga)
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claire don’t die too! hehehe! i want to see the 2nd season! this anime gave me a hangover i can’t wait for the 2nd season! wahhh!
Need season 2 NOW! This is definitely one of the best animes with TOP QUALITY graphics.
My first impression of this anime was just like yours,
after the first few episodes i was hooked! I’ve realised that the story was not just about blonde girls killing monsters but that’s a deeper meaning to it. The music and sound effects were superb and the episodes were engaging, suspenseful and action packed.
Even though the plot did change from the manga since the 25th episode onwards, it was still good unlike all the other anime I’ve seen where the anime changes from the manga and completely sucks from that point onwards.
The graphics in the anime were actually better than the manga and usually it’s the otehr way around. So i recommend people start off with the anime since it skips most of the boring bits at the start of the manga.
CLAYMORE IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST ANIMES OF 2007 AND RATINGS JUST KEEP GETTING HIGHER AND HIGHER, IT’S A BIG LOSS IF YOU DON’T WATCH IT!
note: not recommended for those who dislike gore. This anime has quite alotta gore in it.
The further you watch, the better it gets lol
Season 2 would be very appreciated…
i say this anime will be a great one ( the truth is that,i have yet to watch it )
Who cares, i like almost every anime from madhouse studio
Honestly, I expected it to suck too at first. Still I gave it a try. I give everything a try, really… It turned out to be amazing! I’m stalled at the halfway point though, because it’s just so tragic, and I was in a bad depressive episode. ;_; When I’m emotionally messed up like that, I have to immerse myself in HAPPY shows. I was just surprised at how deep Claymore turned out to be.