Shiki Specials

Shiki Specials is just a two episode long, but somehow it manages to do something that none other horror, mystery or whatever kind of anime category could do in just 2 episodes.

Story - 9.5

If you haven't seen Shiki then watching this by itself won't work. All of the storyline is in the original series and without watching Shiki you won't understand a thing. So go watch Shiki before this. As to not spoil it for you I'm gonna say that it is thought provoking and scary - pretty much like Shiki, but with a bit more of scary in it.

Visuals - 9

Visuals are ... basically the same as Shiki. It means that it's great. And I'm saying it for a reason. Of course the visual art won't send your eyes to heaven with it's rainbow colours and beautiful scenery, but it will show you everything it wants to. Starting from creepy faces with intense character emotions and awesome contrasts that make you almost want to get sparkly eyed. Also the Shiki by itself had great colors and very well made characters designs, but it had a 2 problems.
1. It had some seriously stupid hair designs for few character, but this is basically just nitpicking.
2.Some characters were ugly.
Guess what? Yeah you did guess it, these 2 problems disappear in this Special.

Sound - 10

Awesome. Maybe you won't listen to the opening or the background music by itself without this Special, but I can guarantee you that the music fits perfectly with what is happening in this Special. Just like a glove with a hand.

Characters - 9

This special shows everything from a side characters point of view and it quickly connects to you. Yeah of course there is no major character development and the characters in here won't get in to anime greatest characters list, but what can you want from just 2 episodes.

Enjoyment - 10

I definitely did enjoy it. I just loved how it touched me emotionally and yet provoked my thoughts also.

Overall - 10
Maybe I'm a bit hyping this Special up, but all I can say certain is that if you liked Shiki you will like this just as much or even more. It's not your normal Special that shows everything the series had it he same way. For gods sake just go watch it! It's a must see, just don't forget to see Shiki first.

Jealousy. That is what drived these specials' main characters to do something they shouldn't have. But if you were in their position, would you have done anything different?

Story: 9 - These specials can be considered as part of the story but also can be called a side story as they focus on some of the supporting characters of Shiki. The first episode features Nao Yasumori who got infected and 'died' and after coming back as a shiki. She does something she shouldn't have which ended with drastic results. The second episode features a woman named Kanami Yano who's mother got bitten and to prevent her ... from killing anyone, she daily offered a glass filled with her blood however her friend named Motoko Maede discovered this and she promised her friend she won't tell anyone but things didn't go as smoothly as Yano thought. I think for a special there was some marvelous effort made as it felt no different from the actual series (though that only counts if you've seen the shiki and I know some people watched the special after they'd finished Shiki which isn't actually quite right as you should watch the first special after episode twenty and accordingly, the second special after episode twenty-one).

Art: 10 - The art was pretty much the same as it was in Shiki which I found amazing as there was no sloppiness visible to me.

Sound: 9 - The sound was good too as it gave off the correct vibes it needed to which helped create the tense/creepy mood.

Character: 10 - I found it amazing the way they showed the characters as they developed into something much more deeper which is comprehensible as it is possible for someone to have such emotions when they're in a similar position.

Enjoyment: 9 - I enjoyed it a lot as it had captured the essence of what it needed to be complimented. However, I'd only recommend this to the same audience of Shiki as it may be disturbing for some people but it's worth a watch especially if you've seen Shiki but haven't noticed these specials.

People who liked: Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, Another, Highschool Of The Dead, Shinsekai Yori, Elfen Lied, Dance in the Vampire Bund, Umineko No Naku Koro Ni and Death Note (as I'm sure there is an audience who liked these series) would enjoy Shiki which means they'd like these specials too due to similar auras that these anime carry.

Overall: 9 - Overall these specials are really likeable by people who enjoyed Shiki and they won't be disappointed.

The shiki specials were really good enough said.
I recommend watching these in order because they explain what happens to some of the characters and gives the story alot more depth. 20.5 i'd say is the standout, it focus's on Nao, one of the show's more interesting characters and it shows alot about her intensions that is in kindof a black and white area. When you start realizing what's inside her head you notice it's more of a grey area and not just black and white. I can't go into spoilers but i'd watch it for yourselves. 21.5 is interesting as well, it get's a bit ... bizzare towards the end but it gave another few characters a well done backstory that isn't explored much in the main 22 episodes. Just like 20.5, it shows alot of humanity in everything that's going on and it makes you think; what would you do in that situation. The specials show how hard some decisions truly are, and they don't feel shoehorned in. They feel very genuine and real which makes it alot easier to connect to. So in all these specials were great, good character development and closure for some characters without feeling completely like just filler. Like i said, if you're watching the show make sure to watch these two episodes as well.

I know that was probably terrible but i hope it helped some of you guys :p