Setting

On the late 20's Manhattan, Rosette is a 'nun' at the Magdalian monastery, and with her 'demon' partner Chrno, she tries to find her brother, abducted by a demon called Aion when he was four. In the process, she fights for the Magdala order to combat evil and balance the peace and order on earth.

Pacing

What seams to he a 'monster-of-the-day' superficial work, eventually gets intense and shows us a detailed character development and their relationships, with a smart stroke at some Christian dogmas, though never going too far to make believers really mad at the title.

The missions, usually secondary to the plot, are only a background to develop the characters as the main plot slowly unfolds and the main characters meet (Azmaria and Sathella). The first about 20 episodes are almost silly at content, but they hide a deep character development which will be used on the latest episodes, by using their past nuances and relationship details. At a certain episode which most people will label just as a 'filler', where Sathella receives a sick Chrno and Rosette, the subtle character development and their relationship improvement is brilliantly portrayed without ever loosing humor and the series tension: at the end of this 'filler' episode, one of the most important events of the title happens.

The development is always very subtle, exploring the 'human' side of the events without too much allegories or clichés. The gentle exchange of looks and smiles most of the times speak more than what the words the characters are saying can describe. Love is shown thru expressions and actions rather than words or kissed. Friendship happens with trust and worrying, and not by a vulgar description with clichéd statements.

Aside from this amazingly well development on the character area, Chrno Crusade eventually manages to get rid of most of the ending clichés (though in the mid-series we have a LOT of clichéd events). One might even say that the clichéd filled mid-series exists only to get the viewer by surprise when, suddenly, events that would not be expected happen and there is no clichéd escape to rescue us.

Characters die, bringing reality and seriousness to the plot, and also getting us a dignified ending to the series. Although the series is filled with humor, the ending is filled with reasoning, messages and tears.

Always caring a somewhat religious theme, Chrono Crusade also do not distort the dogmas in which it is based but also do not reinvent the wheel: it starts, develops and eventually ends within it's own proposition, never betraying it (as most religious titles do, by making us realize at the end that everything was a 'lie' or just 'not correct'). Even so, the title innovates by bringing memorable - but mortal - characters.

As a side comment, the art, voice acting and animation are above average and will not disappoint.

Conclusion

Chrno Crusade is certainly something for those looking for something more refined. Although it's mid-series is widely clichéd and humoristic (sometimes a little too much to the extent of being childish), this actually helps to give a higher impact to the last third of the series, showing that sometimes life can be good, funny and even clichéd, but might end abruptly - reality will always get us. Just hold your breath thru the silly start so you can contemplate the amazing ending.

This title will please most fans, from those looking for brainless action to those looking for deep character and plot development. Those who like to say that this or that ending have lots of loose endings might say it again, but it's all there - actually, this might be the most well contained and explained ending for a Gonzo title - which loves to leave subtle loose ends on their titles open for interpretation. Those that are not used to the religious themes and not used to pay attention to the background nuances of the plot will certainly not get some of the points of the series.

With a lot of confusion and prejudice from part of the fans because of it's 'different' ending, Chrno Crusade is an amazing title for those who wish for something more deep than average, but not loosing humor or entertainment factor. After watching, check our essay.