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Angelic Layer, is a masterpiece. It follows a similar structure to Pokemon, following Hasuka’s rise to the top in the Angelic Layer tournament. The Angelic Layer is a virtual reality game where two players enter their angel dolls into a ring and using their minds to control the dolls to fight each other. With her Angel, Hikaru (Japanese for “light”), she fights to win the tournament. Her two friends support her, as well as contenders for the title who she defeated along the way.

Angelic Layer, however, adds an excellent twist to the monster-fighting genre. Misaki and the other characters learned not just to compete, but to also enjoy the game and have fun. Rather than follow the typical shonen theme that the most powerful character may win, Misaki learns that will and determination leads to success. This is an extremely empowering series, where the characters learn to overcome their failures and work hard.

Along the way, the backstory on the origin of the game leads to an amazing scientific twist, in which the dolls were intended to be controlled as prosthetics for physically disabled people. Hasuka’s missing mom also makes a compelling twist to the story, appearing only to watch her daughter play and never actually meeting her.

This series has amazing depth that the Pokemon series never reached. Angelic Layer is exciting, intense, and visually stunning. Studio “Bones” handled the animation, and the fluid, fast-paced fight sequences are amazingly entertaining. All the angel fighters have special abilities that make the fights more intense. I also appreciated that there was no gore and bloody to turn people off. This is a series for everyone.

Although this series isn’t the most popular anime in Japan, it should have been. This is one of the best series I have ever seen.
Angelic Layer The Complete