Elfen Lied Special (2005): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2005, Elfen Lied Special is an action, drama, horror and animation film directed by Mamoru Kanbe, running about 25 minutes.

What it’s about. Having been accepted into the Kaede Inn, Nana struggles to find some way to contribute, though she inadvertently brings more trouble than assistance. However, Nana's worries are directed more towards fellow resident Nyu, whom she had only known as Lucy, the violent Diclonius. Fearful that Nyu will unleash the same horrific savagery—violence that scars Nana to this day—upon those close to her, Nana faces a dilemma: attempt to live peacefully alongside Lucy with all the uncertainty that that entails or dispose of the source of her worries, shattering the relationships she has formed at the inn. As Nana struggles to come to a decision, Nyu recalls a painful memory of one of her dearest friends and one of her greatest rivals.

Who’s in it. Elfen Lied Special stars Sanae Kobayashi, Yuki Matsuoka, Chihiro Suzuki and Osamu Hosoi.

How it landed. With an audience score of 8.2/10, Elfen Lied Special sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Elfen Lied Special page.

If you liked it. Fans of Elfen Lied Special tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.