Elfen Lied is the exact definition of masterpiece, the story is phenomenal, filled with every emotion I can think of blended flawlessly with one another, as well as having a supernatural theme it also touches upon very real problems which happen though out the world, in pacific Mayu's role in this anime. Which allows the viewer to sink down to this animes level of darkness and writhe in it.
Dialogue is probably the closest thing to a flaw you could find in this anime, as previously stated in the reviews at some points the dialogue doesn't fit the character exactly the way you might have judged them to be. There isn't really any 'speeches' as seen in other popular animes like Naruto, when there is an entire episode dedicated to pointing out how the power to believe is the strongest power there is -.-. Making the story so much more straight forward instead of beating around the bush, so to speak, which is why for 13 episodes Elfen Lied has one of the most well established stories in a short anime.
The animation is really unique as far as themes, with detailed blood and gore, and heavy use of nudity, but this is in absolutely no way sexual, I personally think it emphasizes the purity of the characters, however some would probably disagree. The actually animation is good considering its age. I don't think the setting of the town has that big of a impact on the story, there is a underlaying 'god' theme as well with the OP and ED as well as scene though out the anime.
Overall this is one of my all time favourite anime 11/10, with it's sheer originality and epic-ness, I say this anime is suited to Mature teens+, it completely depends on your own personality weather or not you find this as enjoyable as most
