Oct 2, 2015
Shinsekai Yori has to be one of my favorites of all time. In fact, it is not only one of my favorites, but sticks out like a sore thumb among my top shows filled to the brim with anime directed by Shinbou, Ikuhara, and Yuasa. So why this show among all others would break into my favorites? Well, as it turns out, director Ishihama worked on the Tatami Galaxy which was directed by Yuasa. His influence bleeds into the show, despite it not being a story that really fits with a surrealistic style. Ishihama manages to blend in many similar aesthetic choices from Tatami Galaxy
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into the show. In fact, one of the best episodes in the show is probably the most similar to Yuasa's work. Despite this, the lack of budget definitely shows at times, but it doesn't detract at all from the show due to Ishihama's strong directing. I give it a solid 8/10 for artwork.
The music is quite fitting for the show, and has major effects on the tone. I felt like I was in the settings where the story took place. Despite that, there are no real stand out songs, excluding the ED, Wareta Ringo. Speaking of the ED, the animation is quite fantastic and aesthetic is even more similar to the Tatami Galaxy in it. I give the sound a 8/10.
Many people like to claim that the characters in the show are bland. I disagree. Due to being a novel adaption (Not a light novel, but an actual novel. With words.), it is a more mature story than most anime. Because of this, the characters are much less exaggerated, which may be off-putting to some people, who would rather have characters be characterized very directly by the show, which i consider a fault in the medium of anime. In most novels, characters i characterized by their peers and their actions, rather than the narration. Now there is a problem with the characters in this show. They simply aren't constructed as well as in the novel. Just reading the first chapter of the novel changed my view of Saki by quite a bit. I think if she was given more of a role in narration, the show would have benefited. I give the characters a 9/10.
If I've given the show 8's and 9's for all other categories, how in the world can I give it a 10 overall? Well that's because of the story. Where do I even start with this? The story is incredible. It tells a very human (hehe) story from all sides of the major conflict, while still showcasing excellent world building which also functions as a mystery which drives the characters into the conflict itself, rather than infodumping absolutely everything at once (there is one infodump though). The anime ended strong, rather than rushed like most other shows, not to mention the falling action made me reflect on what happened. Not only did I reflect much on the show itself, but also on how it changed who I was as a person, which is the mark of a truly great story. Needless to say I gave the story 10/10.
Because of how different SSY was compared to most anime I enjoyed it very much. A 10/10 for enjoyment, and a 10/10 overall. I would recommend this show fully. I look forward to future works by this director. Hopefully, great things come from him after a promising first show.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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