Sep 25, 2020
Shinsekai Yori (From the New World) is an underappreciated gem. Very light spoilers ahead. The tldr summary of this show is that it's about psychic powers and those who have them. At the same time, this anime is so much more. Do not drop this series before watching episode 4. This show can be depressing at times; it can also challenge your beliefs about society. If you can't stomach either of these things, this anime is not for you.
Shinsekai Yori is a plot driven show. New obstacles appear in front of our main characters, and the conflict is how the characters overcome them. More importantly,
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each new obstacle sheds more light on the world of Shinsekai Yori and often hints at philosophical questions. It's rare to find a plot so intricately thought out in anime. Nothing feels extraneous. Small tidbits from episode 1 end up being the focus of the whole show. Everything builds and finally crescendos with the final arc. The story engages the viewer. If this show does its job, you'll end up comparing our world with that of Shinsekai Yori. You'll be asking what could have changed to prevent the events in the anime. Some may find this exhausting, but I really enjoy a show that challenges my beliefs. The also show does a good job at preemptively covering potential plot holes (those that aren't are usually addressed the original novel).
The pacing of the show is a bit slow in the first three episodes. However, the astute viewer will notice there's a lot going on in the background and opening scenes. Some patience really starts paying off in episode 4. From then onward, the show really ramps up and becomes hard to put down.
Let's move onto the characters. The main trio—Saki, Shun, and Satoru—receive quite a bit of character development. In particular, Saki, our main character, does a good job at carrying the story. While these characters might make you cry, I have a hard time identifying with any of them. The characters are more of a means through which the plot is conveyed, rather than people you relate with. They do a good job at telling the plot though. The characters in Shinsekai Yori always feel realistic. Their dialogue and actions are believable. The villain—if you can call them that—has amazing characterization and even feels human.
The background soundtrack is good. As the show progresses, you can feel chorus of "Traditional Song of Shadows" change from a rigid religious song into something far more sinister. The soundtrack always enhances the tone of the scene. I just wish there were more songs in the OST. Shinsekai Yori has no OPs, only EDs. I particularly love the first ED, Watera Ringo. The song does a great job at setting the melancholic tone of the show.
I'm gonna make one small comment about the animation. There's two styles of animation, the usual style used in most episodes, and another Casshern Sins style that appears in two episodes. From what I've heard, the difference is because of a different animation director led the those two episodes. The unusual style is well unusual and a little trippy; it also has more fanservice shots. The animation change is a bit jarring, but the usual style does return. The usual style is solid, and the unusual style is by no means bad either—it's just very different.
I wish more people knew about this series. I rarely see it being discussed on Reddit and Youtube. Shinsekai Yori's plot may be the best I've ever seen in anime. The show's themes demonstrate that anime can be deep and handle big questions. I can't recommend this show enough.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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