Elfen Lied

A mysterious girl with invisible hands, vector abilities, and telepathy escapes from a clandestine research facility. The following day, cousins Kouta and Yuka encounter her, but she is changed—now unable to speak except to say "nyuu." As they take her in, Kurama, the facility's lead scientist, dispatches a ruthless tracker named Bando to capture her.

A task force led by the assassin Bando is sent to Kamakura beach to capture Lucy, but they initially find only her innocent alter ego, Nyu. After an attack leaves Bando injured and his partner killed, Lucy takes control and fights back, though she reverts to Nyu before finishing Bando off. Meanwhile, Kohta is hospitalized for minor injuries and later reconciles with Lucy at their home.

Lucy temporarily regains control of Nyuu after she suffers a head injury, while Kurama and a secret facility dispatch two individuals—Bando, now healed and stronger, and another diclonius—to pursue her. Meanwhile, Yuka and a homeless girl named Mayu discuss recent events at Kouta's home.

Nana alerts the soldiers and Kurama to Lucy's location, then engages her in a battle at a cemetery, hoping to delay her until help arrives. As the fight intensifies, Mayu hears the commotion and arrives at the scene.

Mayu reflects on her difficult childhood and the reasons she left home. Meanwhile, Yuka and Kouta encounter Yu Kakuzawa, son of Chief Kakuzawa, as their new professor, and he quickly identifies Nyuu as Lucy, deceiving Kouta into giving her up.

Bando flees the hospital in pursuit of Lucy to settle a personal vendetta. Kohta and his assistant discover the severed head of Professor Kakuzawa Yū, while Kohta and Yuka grow closer, culminating in a kiss. Kohta and Yuka eventually locate Lucy and bring her home.

Bando and Nana reconcile after a conflict, recognizing they are on the same side. Nana agrees to help Lucy by taking her to the beach, and later meets Mayu at the temple, where they become friends and Mayu invites her to her home for food.

Lucy is injured and knocked unconscious, prompting Nana to care for her. As Lucy sleeps, she experiences a dream that reveals aspects of her past. Meanwhile, Nana discusses Lucy and the diclonius with Mayu, and Arakawa is assigned to work under Director Kakuzawa.

The episode delves into Lucy's backstory, showing her initial meeting with Kouta and the close friendship that eventually ends in tragedy. It also explores the events that led to Lucy becoming the killer she is now.

Lucy and Nana argue, but Mayu intervenes, prompting Lucy to reconcile with Nyuu and express her feelings for Kouta by hugging him. The episode also delves into Kurama's background and provides further insight into the diclonius species.

Mariko is released and quickly overpowers the surrounding soldiers, but the professors had anticipated this and detonate an explosive embedded in her, causing her to lose an arm. She is then transported to where Nyuu and Nana are staying. Meanwhile, Nana is settling into life at the inn, though Kouta encourages her to take on more responsibilities.

Mariko toys with Nana while Kouta rushes to her aid, leading to a momentary loss of Mariko's vectors and her subsequent retreat. As Nyuu follows Kouta, she transforms into Lucy to evade gunfire, prompting Kouta to remember key events.

Yuka reveals Kouta's hidden history to Mayu, while Lucy and Mariko confront each other in battle. Nana and Kurama then set out to locate Mariko, as Kurama is determined to end her life.