élDLIVE

“There may have been other paths, but [that] was the only future I was sure of.”

• Laine, Chapter 59

ēlDLIVE is a series that had a lot of potential. It has a premise that contains intrigue and the vastness of space often offers interesting landscapes and themes to play around with. Unfortunately, it mostly came across as a series that had a lot of different ideas and, rather than choosing a couple, it threw them at a wall to see what sticks. This is most noticeable in the tone of the series which often can’t decide whether it should be taken seriously or not. Some of the characters and gags fall flat, making the tone difficult to follow.

The plot itself is also a rather standard read. ēlDLIVE feels more like an amalgamation of science fiction and shōnen tropes rather than being its own story. It becomes over-encumbered by what it is trying to do and so the pacing struggles to keep up. One of the biggest disappointments in this series is that Amano makes some really interesting plot choices that would have made ēlDLIVE stand out from its contemporaries, but doesn’t commit to them in any meaningful way.

This lack of lasting impact is emphasised by the lack of characterisation of the side characters; especially when they are supposed to the emotional crux of plot developments. Only a small handful are given enough time for the reader to learn about them and it really is a shame, especially since there are some intriguing character designs. By focusing some of the poignant moments on these characters, who we barely know, ēlDLIVE makes it difficult to care and it is a shame.

The main cast itself is stronger with a number of characters standing out, mostly for the right reasons. Over the course of the series, elements of their backstories unravel which creates a sense of mystery to them. The more enigmatic characters tend to steal the series and, while it definitely keeps parts of ēlDLIVE interesting, it highlights some of the flaws with the other main characters. This is especially true for Chuuta who often feels like a copy-and-paste character from other action-adventure series and, on top of this, he suffers from rather segmented character development. It makes his progress feel forced rather than something natural to him and the story.

I should add that I understand the need for a character unfamiliar with the world they are thrown into, especially when it is a genre like science-fiction, as it allows the reader to slowly come to terms with a new setting. However, it can be a little bit annoying at times, especially as the series progresses.

Overall, ēlDLIVE is a rather inconsistent series to read. There are a number of interesting ideas floating around, but they are buried underneath an unnecessary layer of fan service that can be a bit overbearing. However, if you enjoy the early chapters then it is worth finishing as the plot does go in a couple of interesting directions.