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StatusFinished AiringSeasonWinter 2011StudioDavid Production, Studio PierrotSourceManga
Story
Synopsis
Moving into an apartment in Yamagata Prefecture to attend high school on an athletic baseball scholarship, straightforward teenager Yukitaka Tsutsui is baffled to find an eccentric, long-haired stranger lounging in his living room. The intruder claims to be an extraterrestrial who has lost his memories after a spaceship crash. In truth, he is Prince Baka Ki El Dogra, the genius crown prince of planet Dogra, whose peerless intellect is matched only by his sadistic passion for orchestrating elaborate, life-threatening pranks. Caught in Baka absurd alien scenarios, Yukitaka struggles to keep his sanity.
⚠ Background — may contain spoilers
Broadcasting thirteen episodes on TV Tokyo in early 2011, *Level E* was co-produced by Studio Pierrot and David Production, directed by Toshiyuki Kato. Adapting the celebrated sci-fi comedy manga created by Yoshihiro Togashi, author of *Hunter x Hunter* and *Yu Yu Hakusho*, the anime faithfully brought Togashi dry wit, psychological subversion, and intricate puzzle-like pranks to television. Scored by Ryo Kunihiko with quirky orchestral-synth arrangements, the series was lauded by critics for its intelligent, cynical comedy.
A show with an overly complex and contrived story structure, and yet is able to finally conjure a satisfying (even feel-good) ending from that very weakness. As I've said before, I'll forgive much in the service of a good ending.
Despite a big twist which jarringly refocuses the series, this Men in Black-flavored story about aliens visiting/living on Earth is consistently absurd and often funny.
