Anime – Jigokuraku [TV]
Overview:
Immortality is something that every person from no power up through a high ranking position tend to strive a dream to achieve. Immortality to continue their admirations through to the end and beyond. However the way of achieving immortality is always an illusive reaching dream that has never been reached. Only seen and heard about in legends.
One such legend is that the source of becoming immortal is found on an island of unimaginable fears. A place of true hell that any who have visited have never been able to return from in their natural state. With only recorded and seen visuals of those who have returned, in such a state that is not unlike anything human.
The Shougun however, does not care of the obstacles that are in the way. With the looming possibility of becoming an immortal, he gathers up the strongest available. Gathering them is the easy task of grouping the outlaws and criminals with sentences that are inescapable until death. Their promise of freedom is the reward they will receive upon finding and bringing back the item that will make the Shougun immortal. It seems to be a fair deal, except there are only a certain number of spaces available to be shuttled over to this island of hell.
When all the criminals are done killing eachother with only the strongest remaining that meet the total requirement to not overflow the slots. There is another that is tagged along with them. Elites that are trained and specialize in executions. For if any of these chosen criminals are to break free or try to escape, they shall be executed without thought on the spot. It is a mutual agreement of peace that both *partners* will share on this adventure.
Once on the island, it is clear that nothing is as the picture book would have shown. Their imagination couldn’t comprehend without first being a first hand man on the ground. A place of seeming wonder, untouched by anybody else. An adventurous land that will soon show its true color.
Shortly after the search begins, death reigns upon them as unidentified and mysterious creatures gang these visitors who have come to this foreign land. Many die in the process while only a select few are strong enough to outwit this lands challenges. Delving deeper to the forests core, learning more as they go. Some encountering what would appear to be inhabitants that are willing to express their knowledge of the land.
With certain points slowly unfolding and a callback to yin/yang and the truth of the immortality legend being expanded upon to them. Where its more of a fma philosophers stone than anything else. Further sealing the fate that will come to those who enter the island. None escape yet a true cycle of life is funded for those who are for lack of better words one with the figurative philosophers stone that the island hosts.
Wrapping up the season with those who are directly connected to said stone above, fighting and furthering those who are left. With the remaining few grasping onto a higher power that was latent inside every living thing. Only now able to begin to realize how to utilize it. Natures Chi to be simple, the flow and motion of the ocean… not that ocean though :mrclean:.
Visuals/Music:
Visuals are quite simple, it is a MAPPA production and they have a low bar of peak animation. Be it CGI incorporation or just raw dog 2d from start to end. Their animation is top notch with little criticism to say. Vibrant colors, smooth animation, clear expressions of characters faces and emotion. All the goods with only problem being, there is only a single season. From the water to the clouds and background landscapes, its all done quite well. Not movie esque, moreso high quality for seasonal. It’s a joy to look at and enjoy watching.
Similar to animation, MAPPA doesn’t disappoint when it comes to music either. Entire OST is packed with unique and engaging soundtracks that suit the mood and feelings of each scene. Bundled with the ending and openings being ones that are listened through before having a chance to skip… very easy to say the viewer is immersed enough to breeze through only skipping the preview for the next episode.
Final Thoughts:
Highly recommend Hells paradise to any that are wanting a unique experience that is different from any of the generic trends. Main problems would be that the shounen genre does have its head poking through with a breaking of suspension of disbelief through how much damage the character takes. Certain fights could have been planned out better for how the enemy is defeated. At a certain point the character should just be mincemeat dead, yet now has a stronger attack than before… shounen genre though so have to keep within the previously set bars and standards that are from the genre. That’s part of what the story is going to have, a fall and great powerup to not fall. I would say that is the weakest point of the series. However, the fights are animated and executed animation wise with choreography that counters such points to a degree that its more than bearable. Overall it really does not detract from the show, more of something to be aware of.
Final note is while Yuzuriha is a girl, best girl is still Sagiri hehe. It was a tossup and depending on the mood swings either direction. Sagiri more of the keeper rather than lets get fucked up one :D lol.
Characters (main) – 4/5
Characters (sub) – 4/5
Enjoyment – 4/5
Visuals – 5/5
Music – 5/5
Story – 4/5
Overall Ratings - Rec: 4/5 Raw: 86%