Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne is a 2008 action horror mystery supernatural anime directed by Shigeru Ueda.  The story centers on Rin, an immortal woman fed a time fruit from the invisible tree Yggdrassil, who runs a private investigation agency alongside partner Mimi. The two struggle with cases while Rin fights against her nemesis, Apos.

Positives:

• Great characters
• Well-written story
• Good animation style
• Good score
• Really graphic
• Strong world building
• Good voice performances

Negatives:

• Antagonist isn’t really memorable

Plot:  The anime follows Rin Asougi is an immortal woman fed a time fruit from the invisible tree Yggdrassil, who runs a private investigation agency in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district alongside her assistant, Mimi who is also immortal. Their job takes a turn when a search for a lost cat leads to amnesiac Kouki and someone murdering these immortal women.  The story does take its time to gradually reveal more about the Yggdrasil and the history of the immortals. It does get a little bit hard to follow at times because of the time jumps (at least ten years).  The Yggdrasil is a magical tree that showers the world with its spores (Fruit of Time) and women who absorb them are Immortals and men who absorb them are Angels, whose purpose is to eat Immortals.  (5 out of 5)

Characters:  The anime features some pretty awesome characters. The main protagonist is Rin Asougi, a master martial artist and immortal.  Rin and her assistant Mimi (who also is immortal) run a private investigations office together. Mimi is good with computers and technology.  The two characters have really good chemistry together, often providing light humor. It is easy to see these two as friends but the show does hint that the two could possibly be in a relationship.  The two end up befriending this guy, Kouki Maeno, who they learn is a human clone and although his character isn’t as prominent as Rin and Mimi, his legacy extends through his son in a later episode and his granddaughter in the next episode.

The series features several antagonists consisting of: an assassin tasked with killing Rin, Laura, a scientist whose goal to achieve immortality, Sayara Yamanobe, and the series primary antagonist, Apos.  Probably the most prominent of the three is Laura as she is constantly out to kill Rin,  Apos is alright I feel like he’s just one of these typical effeminate villains who think they’re above humanity.  When it came out that he was a hermaphrodite, it was like wow.  (4 out of 5)

Animation Style:  The animation looks good and does set a pretty good mode for the anime.  The dull hues do work well with the storytelling and setting.  There is sex and nudity but it isn’t overly focused and the gore…well the gore can get a little extreme at times.  Even when it comes to the background imagery, it’s just great to look at. (3 out of 5)

Score:  The music is done really well, especially considering how dramatic the series can be at times.  For the English version, the voice performances are just awesome and are done brilliantly. Colleen Clinkenbeard and Jamie Marchi are just awesome as Rin and Mimi.  (4 out of 5)

Writing:  With only six episodes to actual establish the world, establish characters, and provide a great story, the writing is awesome.  There is a lot of sex, nudity, and rape and I would say that children shouldn’t watch this but it isn’t subtle. I didn’t mind seeing the time jumps because of the execution it does help with the storytelling, setting, and development of characters.  Each episode does tell an unique story while be connecting and contributing to the overall plot.

One of things that can be good or bad depending on the viewer is the setup.  There is little exposition in the beginning and although it gradually reveals more about the world throughout the anime the lack of rules makes it hard to follow in the beginning. I liked figuring it out based on the story and characters but I know some people want to know what the rules are in the beginning. (4 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne is not only a great anime but an awesome experience overall.  The anime is just great on nearly every front.  For some the initial slow pacing will be a pain, however, it opens the anime into a great story with awesome characters and a great voice cast.  Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne is definitely one of those anime that was crafted with care and definitely deserves 5 out of 5.