Watch Loveless
- 2005
- 1 Season
-
6.8 (818)
Loveless is a Japanese anime television series directed by Yutaka Yamamoto and produced by J.C. Staff. It originally aired on the KIDS STATION network in Japan from April 2005 to June 2005, with a total of 12 episodes. The show is based on a manga series by Yun Kouga.
The story is set in an alternate world where children are born with cat ears and tails, called "beasts," until the age of puberty when they lose these traits and become "adults." The show's protagonist is a young 12-year-old boy named Ritsuka Aoyagi, who lost his older brother Seimei two years prior and has been struggling with depression ever since. Ritsuka's life changes when he meets a mysterious man named Soubi Agatsuma, who claims to have known Seimei and be his former student.
Soubi presents Ritsuka with a collar and informs him that he is a "Fighter" in a strange battle known as "Spell Battles," in which Fighters must team up with "Sacrifices" in order to fight against other pairs. Ritsuka is forced to participate in these battles, which are part of a larger quest to find the ultimate spell known as the "Truth."
Throughout the show, Ritsuka and Soubi's relationship grows as Soubi teaches Ritsuka how to fight and reveals more information about Seimei's past. Ritsuka also develops relationships with other characters, such as his friend and Sacrifice Yuiko and two other Fighters named Kio Kaidou and Yuiko's brother Youji. Along the way, Ritsuka uncovers dark secrets about his own family and the organization behind the Spell Battles.
Loveless's animation is visually stunning, with detailed character designs and fluid animation. The show's soundtrack, composed by Masanori Takumi, adds to the series' atmosphere with its melancholic piano pieces and electronic beats. The show's opening and ending theme songs, "Tsuki no Curse" and "Michiyuki," are performed by artists Okina Reika and Kōji Wada, respectively.
One of the interesting things about Loveless is its exploration of sexuality and gender identity. Many of the characters in the show are depicted as being fluid in terms of their gender and sexual orientation. This is particularly evident in the character of Soubi, who is portrayed as being romantically involved with both Ritsuka and his former teacher Seimei.
Overall, Loveless is a thought-provoking and emotional series that explores themes of loss, identity, and the complexity of relationships. Its unique premise and beautiful animation make it a memorable entry in the anime genre.