Loveless - Vol. 1: Lost and Found Review

So I am reviewing volume one of the anime series.  First of all, this is for viewers 16+ due to some offensive content  To tell you the truth I came across this anime on youtube before it was licensed.  I fell in love with the characters and the story immediately.  Aoyagi Ritsuka is a 12 year old boy who has just transferred schools 2 years after his brother Seimei's death.  His mother is abusive as she is convinced he is not her Ritsuka.  The truth is he doesn't remember who he used to be 2 years ago.   She tricks him with food or things that she knows he disliked or liked before he got amnesia and he falls into her traps causing him to receive punishments from his mother.  He has therapy sessions to help him cope through his hardships and finding who he is.  At school he meets a girl Yuiko who is very naive and is pushed around by her "friends."  Then he meets the mysterious Akatsuma Soubi who was friends with his deceased brother.  Knowing this draws Ritsuka to Soubi and the story begins.  What's a fighter and what's a sacrifice? 

Ritsuka's character is very easy to get attached to.  He's the type of loner kid who isn't as bad as you think he is.  He's very innocent and somewhat naive himself but very strong willed and will stand up for himself or his friends whenever needed.  Soubi is the type of person you wouldn't want to trust because of the many secrets he keeps from Ritsuka, however, through the story you can see that his intentions are purely to keep Ritsuka safe as his Fighter.  Seimei and Soubi shared the name Beloved, one who is loved.  Ritsuka's name is Loveless, one without love.  Despite his name he is not without love with loyal friends, Soubi, Yuiko, Yayoi and his sensei (therapist) who care for him and would stand up for him. 

 The word spell battles are simply beautiful.  In my opinion it's very creative and I see the way aesthetics plays into the making of this wonderful anime artwork.  A fighter and a sacrifice have one name that unites them.  It's a must have especially recommended for girls as it is a shoujo (shoujo is anime that is aimed at the female audience) anime.  There is a warning though, there are a couple of kisses between 2 males and there are scenarios of 2 females together so it is not recommended for those who are not comfortable with this sort of material.  However, if you don't mind even if you are not into BL or Yaoi type anime it's still very good.  The scenes are very light and are not enough to make you VERY uncomfortable.  The close relationship is between 12 year old Ritsuka and 19 year old Soubi.  Some people argue that this falls under the category of shota (relationship of an adult and a minor).  While it is true that Ritsuka is a child who kisses with an adult it is hardly shota at all.  The sacrifice and the fighter bond through their kiss.  I would agree it to be shota if it got further such as sexual content but in the meantime it still doesn't cross the line.  In the anime Soubi says that he won't take Ritsuka's ears (their ears and tail are a sign of their virginity) as long as he's not ready.  So, in conclusion, Soubi is in no way taking advantage of Ritsuka in any form whether it's force or coersion.

Again, if you're not comfortable with the idea then don't watch it but if you don't mind I really recommend it.  It's really beautiful and if you like the anime you'll love the manga.  I know I love both and am glad I added them to my personal collection.  If you're looking for a story full of mystery displayed in such an artistic form then Loveless is the thing for you.