Their appearance is similar to humans, but with several differences, namely horn-like protrusions on the forehead and the presence of telekinetic invisible arms called "Vectors". Įlfen Lied takes place in Kamakura and Kanagawa, and focuses on the "Diclonius", a newly mutated species.
ADV Films said the series was one of their bestselling and "most notorious" releases of 2005. The anime series has been licensed in North America by ADV Films and in Australia by Madman Entertainment. The manga is licensed in North America by Dark Horse Comics. The anime finished airing before the manga was complete as a result, the plot differed between the two, especially the ending. A 13-episode anime television series adaptation was produced by the studio Arms and broadcast on AT-X from July to October 2004. It is also noted for the graphic violence, emotional themes of how the characters change through, and the overall transgressive subject matter of the whole story. Elfen Lied involves themes of discrimination, social alienation, identity, prejudice, revenge, abuse, jealousy, regret, and the value of humanity.
The series' title is German for "Elves' Song" or more formally "song of the elves'" and takes its name from the song " Elfenlied", which is featured in the story. The series is centered on the teenage Diclonius girl "Lucy" who was rejected by human beings and subsequently wants revenge. Elfen Lied revolves around the interactions, views, emotions, and differences between human beings and the Diclonii, a mutant species similar to humans in build but distinguishable by two horns on their heads and "vectors", transparent telekinetically controlled arms that have the power to manipulate and cut objects within their reach. It was originally serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump from June 2002 to August 2005, with the 107 chapters collected into twelve tankōbon volumes. Elfen Lied ( Japanese: エルフェンリート, Hepburn: Erufen Rīto) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto.