Just finished watching Claymore...

[Takeshi]

Man, I honestly underestimated this one. The first episode isn't very impressive, and I think that's why I've hold off on watching it for so long.

Currently watching episode 17.

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The story is the main attraction here. Similiar to Berserk it's gritty and extremely compelling. I am almost surely going to read the manga from the beginning since I am almost certain that there is a lot of things censored in the anime. And well, the anime has an original ending?

Next is the characters. Such an awesome cast. Clare works well being the weakest although that's sometimes too on the nose watching the supposedly 47th Claymore being so strong sometimes. Although it does make sense since I doubt many other CMs are a 1/4 Yoma. There is certainly some shounen elements that I enjoy how she keeps getting stronger, but still having trouble with some Kakusei-sha. I also like the idea of Irene and Teresa backing her with parts of their body.

Also, CMs are numbered? That just screams shounen.

The writing works really well. Again I really misjudged the anime here. I thought it was going to be some boring "Clare travels with Raki for 26 eps and then some half-assed conclusion". I love that he is out of the picture at the moment. I'm sure he has a purpose for Clare, but he just pisses me off most of the time. Clare and Teresa's relationship felt a lot more genuine and interesting.

Also, comparisons to Ginga Nagareboshi Gin. Mostly in that there is three "mega" Kakusei-sha that are gathering allies for some big event. And also that they're staying up in the mountains. Also very GNG-like.

Now I do have some bad points so far. The animation could have been SO much better. And Madhouse animated this so there is really no excuse. Also, the music really doesn't compliment the show at all. It needs some tunes to get the viewers pumping when there is great action on the screen. The music for the despair and hopelessness works fine.

[Mistgun_Zero]

Haven't read the manga completely, but I don't think much was skipped and well, it stuck to manga quite closely. I guess it's the same as how Attack on Titan anime was compared to manga. They ended the anime also at quite a nice point, i.e. saying there was a lot more to Claymore universe than we knew but had established a quite a nice foundation for an upcoming season 2 (hence the rage since there is no season 2 and the manga begin quite irregular with their releases).

Kinda ironic who much common Claymore and Attack on Titan have in those regards.

[Takeshi]

Haven't read the manga completely, but I don't think much was skipped and well, it stuck to manga quite closely.

Manga Updates does mention that it's an alternative ending.

Well, just finished watching it and I can only imaging this is the sentence that most people had over the last episode:

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Raki = MOST FUCKING USELESS CHARACTER EVER CREATED.

Claymore would have been such a better anime if Raki wasn't included. Maybe it's the whiny voice that they cast for him, or it is literally how he acts that annoys me to no end. I think it's a bit of both for me. Not only does he keeps saying over and over how he's going to keep "saving" Claire, he's also responsible for Jeanne's death in the last episode. He's holding on to Claire thinking he can prevent her from changing only for Jeanne having to save the fucking idiot.

Also, Pricilla wasn't killed? What the fuck? Talk about an anti-climactic conclusion. Here we are ready to watch Pricilla the bitch pay for what she did, and then the King-or-whatever flies in and says "lolololol try next time". I don't give a shit if she watched her family get eaten by her father. She needed to pay for what she did. But I guess that's the difference between Shounen and Seinen. Berserk can do that, Claymore can't. Or maybe the manga rectifies it.

Jeanne was a pretty awesome character. She was number nine and had such a loyalty to Claire because she had saved her life. I'll admit that it became a little annoying at some points because she was showing up everywhere that Claire was, most notable at the cave, but regardless a character who ended up dying a very stupid way. It's just the fact that she had to save Raki that annoys me to no end.

Maybe the manga portrays him better, thankfully the mangaka didn't include him for a very long time.

[Tiffanys]

As a reader of the manga, and the anime also being in my top 5, I can probably answer some stuff...

First up, the anime diverts from the manga when on the way to the north (largely Raki) and then the main fight once in the north ends a bit differently but it's largely the same. After that the manga is completely different than the anime and vastly expanded... there could be like an entire 2 more seasons or more with the manga content.

I strongly suggest picking up the manga. It's laid out just like the anime, very easy to follow, and it's updated regularly. Also, Raki isn't an annoying little sissy that needs to die in the manga.

[Mistgun_Zero]

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I am not entirely sure about Raki being useless. Sure, he doesn't do anything, but Claire is quite emotional about him and it is infact because of him that she doesn't give up till end and progresses till that level. Not to mention Raki becomes the most fav toy/person for the sworn enemy of Claire. I can't remember her name (the one who kills Claire's guardian aka the strongest Claymore of all time). Have to see how that plays out in the future.

Also in Manga at least Raki get's hand's on training in combat from the King himself (lucky bastard) (don't know what happens afterwards, only read till there).

For now, Raki is indeed useless (your point indeed), though I do get the feeling there is going to be a lot of things that are going to change from now on.

For me, the most painful death apart from the strongest claymore (claire's guardian) was the girl who gave her arm to Claire. I almost cried at that point ('dem tears. gotta hold back )

Seriously, this needs a second season. And I am not in any rush to finish the manga and then wait forever for the next chapter to release. I will read it quite slowly and calmly and enjoy it for as long as I can.

I guess after that argument I can say I prefer Seinen more than Shounen, as such I might like this series a lot more than you did and indeed my opinion's might be a bit biased towards Claymore in a positive way. I tired to be as impartial as possible though.

P.S: Next fucking chapter when? Nvm. It's another 15 days away *rage* I still want a second season closely following the manga.

[Takeshi]

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I am not entirely sure about Raki being useless. Sure, he doesn't do anything, but Claire is quite emotional about him and it is infact because of him that she doesn't give up till end and progresses till that level. Not to mention Raki becomes the most fav toy/person for the sworn enemy of Claire. I can't remember her name (the one who kills Claire's guardian aka the strongest Claymore of all time). Have to see how that plays out in the future.

Also in Manga at least Raki get's hand's on training in combat from the King himself (lucky bastard) (don't know what happens afterwards, only read till there).

For now, Raki is indeed useless (your point indeed), though I do get the feeling there is going to be a lot of things that are going to change from now on.

For me, the most painful death apart from the strongest claymore (claire's guardian) was the girl who gave her arm to Claire. I almost cried at that point ('dem tears. gotta hold back )

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I don't remember Claire thinking much about Raki when she is fighting Pricilla. I think it was mostly the other CMs and Teresa.

Oh yeah, Irene. I loved her as well even though she was part of the group sent to kill Teresa.

That is a good point. I'm already bummed about Zetman getting ten chapters a year, also waiting for Berserk to end...