I liked it quite a bit. Though that may be partially due to my massive love of SHAFT and their wacky backgrounds and art. Im guessing it plummeted after the arc that lasts for the first 3 episodes ended but I can't say for sure because I don't really stay in touch wil Mal's opinions of shows for the most part. Id recommend it though, was pretty good (it's reaaaallllly crazy)
Haha no problem! Don't worry though, all the things I've said don't really reveal any crucial part about the plot that could ruin the story. I tried my best without giving any spoilers as I myself hate being spoiled when it comes to reading reviews (the worst is when I find a review that mentions a crucial part about the series, but by mentioning that part they already spoiled a lot about the story).
On a random note, most of the series I watch I tend to think a lot about them after finishing them, hence why I can give some decent insight as to why I gave them a certain rating in the first place (I'll admit that I've always been tempted to write my own reviews).
As for Shiki, I can offer you a pseudo-review of it if you wish (I'll put the rest of this post in "spoilers" so to avoid clogging up your profile page):
Some people say that Shiki starts out slow and goes fast by the end. I disagree, Shiki is one of the most truly bizarre anime series I've seen in that it goes for a REALLY steady pace, literally maintaining that steady pace of story-telling from beginning to end. Even when stuff begins to happen, you never really feel like it's rushing or going by really fast, it simply keeps its pace the same all throughout. It's worth noting that there's literally three main characters, Natsuno (introverted purple-haired boy), Toshio (the town doctor) and Sunako (leader of the vampires), as following them sort of helps in grasping the overall narrative.
What I liked about Shiki is that it plays a lot of the vampire concepts straight. This isn't anything revolutionary (contrary to what A LOT of people/reviewers are saying) but the fact that it does is an indication that it actually takes the idea more seriously and it's because that, it manages to stand out as a vampire anime set in modern times. It has some brilliant characters (mainly Toshio and Sunako) that make the series worth it in its own right and the overall cast is entertaining in their own way, offering varying levels of love and hate depending on the character.
What I disliked about it I guess is that some of the motivations felt a bit mismanaged or too straightforward in some areas. There are times when characters start talking about their reasoning and what they believe in, but some of it comes across as being more of a given than anything truly surprising. I'm not one against straightforward characterization, but when it's presented as something thoughtful or as if it was a revelation, it can feel a bit jarring at times. That said, most of the motivations are actually solid for what it's worth despite some of the little inconsistencies.
Now, one of my biggest issues came with a certain character's development in the finale of the series, and this is due to the preachy nature of their final resolve and beliefs. While normally I'm very tolerant of that as it's obviously presented as something that one can easily empathize with (keyword: "empathize", not "sympathize"), it's just the way that the anime tackles it feels almost forced as if to leave the audience with a meaningful ending, despite the fact that it feels more like a final reiteration of a certain theme that was already addressed in the middle of the series. I don't usually judge an anime adaptation against its own original version, but having researched on the original manga, it turned out that the way in which this specific segment/part was presented in the manga was actually quite different. I found out that in the manga, it was only in the finale during this same specific segment that this theme was finally brought up at all (unlike the anime which mentions it in parts across the series), and it made more sense in context why the character even became that way in the end (this is the only reason I could even forgive the character's development). Having read some other parts of the manga, I also realized that the issue I mentioned before regarding the mismanagement of certain motivations was also caused by the fact that they simplified or changed some of them from manga to anime; making for a somewhat disjointed feeling in regards to certain characters, as the anime changed certain characteristics while keeping intact the majority of what makes up their character.
On a side note, there's one other "issue" I can mention though I personally became used to it after a while. The characters' various hairstyles. Any notable character in the series will have weird hair, on varying levels between somewhat normal to downright bizarre. This can distract the viewer, and the straightforward presentation of it (as opposed to a highly stylized one like say, Shaft's "Bakemonogatari") doesn't really help. In this regard, it can easily distract or throw off the viewer from the narrative, especially when serious stuff are happening. Not really a negative, but it's a notable aesthetic to the series that's worth mentioning.
On a more neutral stance, while people say that Shiki handles the vampires really well in that it allows you to sympathize with them, I somewhat disagree on the notion of "sympathy". Rather, the series takes on a VERY neutral stance. While both humans and vampires are presented as simply doing what they do to survive, most of the leading vampires are still portrayed as being rather inhumanly malicious or manipulative in the way they oppose the humans. In effect, the desperation of fighting back is what causes the humans to retaliate in a very drastic and violent manner, thus creating a cycle of hate and sympathy for the viewers as they watch both sides come into conflict. All in all, this makes the series really balanced out without truly forcing the viewer to completely sympathize with either side. The only true sympathy that one might feel lies in the personality of specific characters, and whether or not they're a vampire or human is not what drives this aspect of sympathy, but rather it's their own internal conflict in context of their own given situation.
Shiki is good for what it's worth, though for it to get my "Very Good" solid 8 rating, I'd have preferred if they didn't change or simplify some of the motivations of certain characters (especially in the finale regarding that one character's development). Still, it's not something that I'd recommend on a normal basis with anyone but it's admittedly entertaining in its own right, especially if you're going out of your way to look for a vampire anime.
I highly recommend that you watch the Specials as part of the series, since they actually provide better context to certain events and present even more interesting scenarios regarding the conflict between the vampires and humans. Watch them based on their designated numbering within the series, as they make more sense if you watch them as if they're just part of the series and not merely as OVA specials that you watch after you finish it (they're included as normal episodes in the Blu-Ray for a reason after all).
It really depends on whether you like the girls and their interactions with the mc or not. Its definitely not for everyone and its not really a comedy despite how it may initially appear that way. From who iv'e recc'ed it to Ive found that most people who dislike it initially yet keep watching grow a lot more fond of it as it goes on (I had it at like a 7 initially and around episode 3 it hit its groove and became great imo)
It's quite the emotional rollercoaster, certainly. Very glad to hear you enjoyed it thoroughly... since you've been waiting for quite a while. Hadn't read the books beforehand either I take it?
Yeah, the ride is now over.. but there's always more. Atleast that's what I'm hoping. Meanwhile, waiting for Mahoyo translation.
I think I found you on a forum, checked you out and screamed "OMG WATASHI DP!"
Scrolled down and said "OMMMMGGGGG YS!!!!!" and then dropped off a comment stalker style
Definitely unmei. Falcom wants all Ys fans to unite...yup.
Falcom music is also the best.
Your profile picture is adorable. Marry me pls
Watashi so kawaii
Joined, wow we have a lively bunch there, so much people! I hope I get a long with everyooooone!!! :D LOLOLOL
But yeah the club seems some life in it. Nice to meet an Ys fan on MAL, so rare.
