I'm going to have to break the review guidelines in order to give this unfinished series it's due. First off, I believe the reviews are a bit harsh, not just on this site, but on others, as well. Sure, this wasn't a masterpiece, but it wasn't that bad. I believe that if the creators had put more effort into this series, it could have been a classic. At the time of it's creation, the hype for hentai was more action, less story. As anyone can see, not a good idea. Though there's a huge lack of dialogue in the series, there IS a story line.You just have to pay attention and not skip the boring parts. Again, had the creators put more effort into the story, instead of just dedicating the entire 3 episodes to building background, the overall feel of the series would not have been so confusing. The idea behind 'angels' giving us divine pleasure is a good one, no matter what anyone says.
The art is not so bad. I believe it was meant to mirror the lack of sound and dialogue. Good style, not too old-school. The women were attractive. Overall, it wasn't too bad. Not as smooth as current hentai and anime are, but not 'Sailor Moon'-esque.
Not much to say about characters. In order to say more, I'll have to add spoilers and break guidelines. I hope no one will mind, so here I go: You have the main male and female protagonist. The guy is the usual 'good looking' kid, who's a bit weird. The girl is a nymph, but is special. The antagonists are the 'judging' nymphs and the world governments that are afraid of the special beings. The last antagonist is mankind's loathsome tendencies. I won't elaborate any further, but will say that had the series continued, as it was supposed to be a six part story, there would be more involvement of the 'judging' nymphs and the Japanese gov't., who were trying to capture and experiment on the nymphs. Again, because of it's cancelling, there's a lot that is missing in terms of how the antagonists affect the protagonists.
Enjoyment was okay. Not much to enjoy, unless you have an imagination and could put yourself into the intricately drawn world that the story portrayed. (yes, i'm saying that the harsh reviewers have little to no imagination.)
Overall, it's up to you to decide. I thought it was okay. Wouldn't label it an all time classic, but I wouldn't chuck it out the door, either. In the end, I recommend you watch it and decide for yourself.
MiMiniMoose-kun
May 27, 2023
Recommended
...A young woman runs atop a skyscraper, helicopters and a dozen armed forces are closing in. She has reached the edge and turns, looks vacantly into the distance and jumps with the same expression fixated upon the viewer while falling into the white abyss blow, slowly pink feathers are swirling in the air. The story does not follow a clear path but from what can gather is that it's somewhere in the 21st century, angelic humanoids are appearing in growing numbers in the stratosphere and their arrival are causing a worldwide sociopolitical conflict with governments asking: "What do they want ?" However the most interestingquestion is how do they affect the average person. In the three episodes we are introduced to a variety of Nymphs and their journey on earth. We see and interact with them through a spectrum of emotions and people. Both good and bad. Some gay and straight. Some are abhorrent and tragic while others are joyful and caring.
A lot can be said about the distinct sound design or lack thereof. Focusing early on moans, touch and city soundscape. It's a quiet show with little to no dialogue and sometimes it's a stream of poetic consciousness.
Music is slow electronic beats, hymns, sprints of guitar and piano in the tender lovemaking scenes.
The character designs are breathtakingly beautiful with an ominous air of sadness in their eyes. Sharp attractive colors are used to make them stand out in the gloomy concrete jungle dominated by dark blues and shades of grey.
What makes these Nymphs even more unique and mysterious is that they don't have sex organs, they're all into anal. Which furthers the enigma where do they come from ?
Among Japanese fans the question of what the Nymphs actually represent is divided. Some suggest that it's a critique of isolated Otaku who lust after 2D girls and therefore their genitals don't matter (censoring) and quickly discard them in favor of a newer 2D girls to obsess over. Some might point to it's about how we view female sexually as something to be controlled and likely discarded once the women are too old.
Regardless it's definitely unique in the adult anime landscape where artistic experimentation is very rare.
Nymphs is a challenging piece of fiction since it's not interested in being enjoyed in a traditional sense. It's more an exploration in the same way that you look at abstract art.
It's not for everyone but if you seek something that's uncompromising, story driven, dark and sometimes beautiful then this is for you.
