If you love archival studies or information sciences in general I bet you would love this anime. The story takes place in the UK during the gap years between WW1 and WW2. A certain warplane pilot just got a letter from his deceased grandfather who wishes him to take care of and inherit his old mansion and library. His grandfather was often described as an intellectual unsettling a collector of many forbidden books who would often sacrifice everything to get the knowledge he wanted. Because of his collections hes often pursued by many who wanted to rob his collection for power for money for wishes. And thats exactly what his grandsons duty is to make the archive still safe from anyone who want to misuse it. But the thing is the library isnt exactly what it looks like. Instead of a building the forbidden book library is located inside the girls soul named Dalianas a gatekeeper of the forbidden books aka. gatekeeper of The Mystic Archives of Dantalian. His grandson Huey inherit the key to the gate and become the keeper of the archives. Whats Huey job after getting the key to the gate? Well continuing what his grandpa has been doing collecting the forbidden books alongside living with Dalian. But this time its for peoples safety not just for collecting it. Story: 9/10 The anime follows an episodic format offering incredible narrative flexibility. While you should watch Episode 1 first and Episodes 1112 last Episodes 210 can be enjoyed in any order without losing the plot. The plot always progressed by following an adventure of Huey and Dalian to make sure they stop the information hazard from reaching to many people so it doesnt cause much danger than it should. But they did not eradicate the information they kept it safe in the Dantalian Bookshelves inside the soul of Dalian. Which makes the archive getting catalogued as Forbidden Knowledge if were fitting the real term of it. As in the story the anime referenced a lot about archives and studies from various science. Such as biology psychology literature mysticism mythology mechanical musicology etc. They even referenced the real archives or story from our world. Like Clay Tablet of Ugarit 72 Sacred Notes of Shem HaMephorash Eleusinian Mysteries etc. Theres a lot of types of archive medium that has been referenced too some of it I just know it exist by watching the anime Not just your modern flipped book predecessor of codex/guternberg book They reference an archive medium like: clay tablet chinese scroll megillah quipu samut khoi etc Megillah Samut Khoi Clay Tablet The archives is all in their original language Some of the text seems wrriten in Latin some of it written in cuneiform some of it in ancient Chinese. I think thats so cool Its so surprising to find this in Japanese media. Since I bet only certain people know this kind of knowledge. The author seems to know a lot about archives mythology and is trying to pour their passion into this medium. Character: 7/10 The character doesnt have much in depth. It doesnt have much character development. This series doesnt really tell its world thru the character but thru the plot device. Through the archives and book the characters found and interacted with. Otherwise the dynamic of these two protagonist character Huey and Dalianare pretty much like Sherlock Holmes and... Dr. John. Other than these two there are some interesting characters that represent the bookbanning aspect but I dont want to go in detail because thats going to be a spoiler : Character design wise? They stay true to their historical genre. I think they did a very good job applying some of the fashion history trends in 19101930. Hueys wearing a military trench coat. Its usually common for military to have this coat. Dalian wearing a leftover culture of 19th dresses with a corset pinched waistlines and bustling full skirt that flowed in and out. She even wear a puffy sleeve common trademark in 19th century western fashion. One of the character Kamila also wearing a trendy United States 1920s century fashion with an obvious body silhouette. Art: 8/10 The background is certainly a paint over of a real photograph. The aesthetic is moody and sepiatoned mimicking 1940s photography. The color palette is always earthy and mostly colored with a brown tone. Otherwise I see some animation downgrade after eps 7 atleast. Its a very common thing appear in TV anime tho. While the animation consistency fluctuates the visual sequences where Dalian opens the Archives remain hauntingly beautiful. Dalian opens the gate of Dantalian Bookshelves. Huey reading one of the archive Now should you watch it? If you are a nerd for archives history or the philosophy of science the answer is a resounding yes. Beyond the mysteries the show explores the weight and responsibility of knowing. If you are interested in how information shapes our world and the dangers of letting it fall into the wrong hands. Please give The Mystic Archives of Dantalian a go