Like many others, I first came across this series because I heard of the legendary Yuno Gasai, who supposedly could out-Yandere the combined cast of Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, Shuffle, and School Days. I have no particular love for such characters, but my morbid curiosity made me check it out eventually.
I have to admit, Yuno delivers. She's psychotic, unpredictable, and obsessive with her target. Sometimes I was amused and rooting for her, and sometimes I was shocked that anyone would dare associate with this nutcase. Regardless, I kept on reading, and many chapters later I had a startling realization: she hasn't freaked out in a long time. I've heard so many tales about her insanity, yet they've all come to pass by the halfway point of the story. So what does this series have left without its cute psychopath? Plenty, as I would come to discover. Most notably, I came to enjoy her strange relationship with Yuki.
The other protagonist of the series, Yukiteru Amano, has a less than stellar reputation among some readers, who consider him something like "the wimpiest protagonist since Shinji Ikari". I didn't think I'd like him, but I gave him a chance, and found him closer to Jacuzzi Splot of Baccano!: a crybaby who nonetheless pulls through when the chips are down. Before you write him off as a Useless Protagonist, do note that he ends up saving Yuno's life almost as often as she saves his. He's not much of a fighter for most of the series, but he still displays remarkable skill at manipulating Diaries. As the series went on, I finally concluded that he and Yuno really were perfect for each other, in a twisted sort of way.
The rest of the cast can be just as colorful as the protagonists, and the Black And Grey Morality of the series keeps you guessing. The diaries keep the action unique, as they play an important role in every conflict. The plot is not Death Note-level complex, but it's fast-paced and exciting. The art quality leaves something to be desired, but it's tolerable. However, your final opinion of the series will still depend largely on how much you like the characters. As for me, I'm staying for Yuki and Yuno.
Come for the Yandere, Stay for the...
Like many others, I first came across this series because I heard of the legendary Yuno Gasai, who supposedly could out-Yandere the combined cast of Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, Shuffle, and School Days. I have no particular love for such characters, but my morbid curiosity made me check it out eventually.
I have to admit, Yuno delivers. She's psychotic, unpredictable, and obsessive with her target. Sometimes I was amused and rooting for her, and sometimes I was shocked that anyone would dare associate with this nutcase. Regardless, I kept on reading, and many chapters later I had a startling realization: she hasn't freaked out in a long time. I've heard so many tales about her insanity, yet they've all come to pass by the halfway point of the story. So what does this series have left without its cute psychopath? Plenty, as I would come to discover. Most notably, I came to enjoy her strange relationship with Yuki.
The other protagonist of the series, Yukiteru Amano, has a less than stellar reputation among some readers, who consider him something like "the wimpiest protagonist since Shinji Ikari". I didn't think I'd like him, but I gave him a chance, and found him closer to Jacuzzi Splot of Baccano!: a crybaby who nonetheless pulls through when the chips are down. Before you write him off as a Useless Protagonist, do note that he ends up saving Yuno's life almost as often as she saves his. He's not much of a fighter for most of the series, but he still displays remarkable skill at manipulating Diaries. As the series went on, I finally concluded that he and Yuno really were perfect for each other, in a twisted sort of way.
The rest of the cast can be just as colorful as the protagonists, and the Black And Grey Morality of the series keeps you guessing. The diaries keep the action unique, as they play an important role in every conflict. The plot is not Death Note-level complex, but it's fast-paced and exciting. The art quality leaves something to be desired, but it's tolerable. However, your final opinion of the series will still depend largely on how much you like the characters. As for me, I'm staying for Yuki and Yuno.