No. 6 [Season 1 Episode 1 to Episode 11]

No. 6: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and a Polarizing Finale

No. 6, the 2011 anime adaptation of Atsuko Asano’s dystopian novel series, is a show that starts with a bang but leaves fans divided by its finale. Produced by Bones (the studio behind hits like Fullmetal Alchemist and My Hero Academia), the series promised a gripping tale of rebellion, friendship, and the dark underbelly of a utopian society. And while it delivered on some fronts, the rushed ending of Episode 11 left many viewers scratching their heads—or screaming in frustration.

The Premise: A Perfect City with a Dark Secret

Set in the futuristic city-state of No. 6, the story follows Shion, a privileged elite who, on his 12th birthday, shelters a fugitive named Nezumi (Rat). This act of kindness shatters Shion’s sheltered worldview, exposing him to the city’s brutal oppression of outsiders. Years later, Shion is stripped of his status and forced into the slums, where he reunites with Nezumi. Together, they uncover the horrifying truth behind No. 6’s “perfect” facade—a truth involving human experimentation, mind control, and a hive of deadly wasps.

The premise is undeniably intriguing, blending sci-fi, political intrigue, and a slow-burn relationship between Shion and Nezumi that had fans shipping them hard. The first few episodes were praised for their atmosphere, mystery, and character dynamics. But as the series progressed, cracks began to show.

The Fan Reactions: Love, Hate, and Everything in Between

Digging through fan discussions (thanks, MyAnimeList and Reddit), the consensus is clear: No. 6 is a series that starts strong but stumbles in its final act. Here’s what fans had to say:

1. The Rushed Ending
   The biggest complaint? Episode 11 felt like a mad dash to the finish line. Key plot points—like the wasps’ purpose, Safu’s fate, and Nezumi’s sudden departure—were either glossed over or left unexplained. One fan raged, “Bones, what the hell was that? They screwed up a very good novel with just ONE episode. No explanation, no action… Well, no sense.”

Another pointed out the awkward pacing: “Shion dies, gets resurrected by magic wasps, Nezumi leaves without a proper goodbye, and suddenly there’s a baby? What even happened?”

1. The Kiss That Divided Fans
   The long-awaited kiss between Shion and Nezumi was… divisive. Some fans swooned (“THEY FINALLY KISSED! 10/10!”), while others called it lazy (“That kiss SUCKED. Lazy animators covering their mouths with angles.”). The novel’s more emotional farewell was scrapped, leaving anime-only viewers confused about Nezumi’s abrupt exit.

2. Character Arcs: Hit or Miss?
   Shion’s idealism and Nezumi’s cynicism made for compelling chemistry, but their development felt uneven. Some fans loved their dynamic (“Their relationship felt so pure!”), while others grew frustrated (“Nezumi’s constant ‘You’re naive’ speeches got old fast.”). Safu, Shion’s childhood friend, also polarized viewers—some found her sacrifice moving, others called her a plot device.

3. The Novel vs. Anime Debate
   Novel readers were especially harsh, accusing Bones of butchering the source material. “The anime skipped so much—Nezumi’s letters, Shion rebuilding the city, the emotional weight of their separation. Why rush it?”

Meanwhile, anime-only fans were more forgiving. “Yeah, it was rushed, but I still cried. The emotions were there, even if the execution was messy.”

Final Verdict: Flawed but Memorable

Despite its flaws, No. 6 remains a cult favorite. Its strengths—gorgeous animation, a haunting soundtrack, and the Shion-Nezumi dynamic—outweigh its messy ending for many. As one fan put it, “I screamed, I cried, I threw my pillow at the screen. 10/10, would suffer again.”

Would it have benefited from more episodes? Absolutely. But for a dystopian romance with guts (and wasps), No. 6 is worth the ride—just brace yourself for that finale.

Rating: 7.5/10 (Great potential, shaky execution, but damn if it didn’t make us feel things.)

P.S. If you’re still mad about the ending, go read the novels. Trust me, it helps.