Boy, did I get more than I bargained for.
Story: 10 - Shinsekai Yori utilizes gradual pacing and multiple time skips to tell one of the most thought-provoking stories I've ever encountered. I'm going to refrain from mentioning any specific plot details because the less you know going into this series, the better it is. The series is split into three distinct acts: childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. The first two acts are paced rather slowly and often I found myself questioning whether or not the plot would ever actually go anywhere. However, in reality these first two acts are incredibly important and serve as buildup, as it is in these episodes that we slowly realize that something is very wrong in this world. Everything that happens in the first two acts comes to a head in a brilliant final act that doesn't hold back. The genius of this series is that there is never an objectively good or bad side; all sides remain ambiguous. Thus, the story is not presented as a clash between good and evil; rather, it is more like watching events unfold with the ultimate outcome left to chance.
Art: 9 - Shinsekai Yori is a visual masterpiece. The villages emanate a quaint and peaceful feel while the landscapes are both beautiful yet unsettling. There are numerous psychedelic-like sequences that not only unsettle the viewer, but also evoke a sense of curiosity about the inner workings of the world and the people who inhabit it. The only reason I didn't give a 10 is because the CG sequences look rather off most of the time, but in the grand scheme of things this is a minor detail.
Sound: 8 - The soundtrack serves its purpose well. The music complements the current scenario and the show's main theme is grand and ethereal. In a way, the music is almost as unsettling as the plot. The music can stand on its own; however, the series could not sustain itself without the music.
Character: 9 - At the show's start we are introduced to the main cast of characters while they are still children. As the show progresses through multiple time skips we see them grow up and change to try to adapt to a world that is not what it seems. The growth that each of the children undergo and the conflicts that they must face as a result ultimately lead to each of their respective fates. The final destinations of every character couldn't be more appropriate--for better or worse.
Enjoyment: 9 - At first I was expecting a sudden, Madoka Magica-style plot twist early on that would dramatically change the atmosphere of the show for the rest of its duration. Instead I got a gradual plot development that raised numerous questions in my head, and the answers to them were violently thrown at me at breakneck speed over the course of the final act. Although I certainly loved almost every aspect of this series (as I've showered it in praise since the beginning of this review) the slow pacing of the first two acts was at times too much for me. I can only take so much ambiguous buildup. For that reason I gave this category a 9 instead of a 10. If you don't mind slow pacing, then there is nothing not to love here.
Overall: 10 - Shinsekai Yori raises profound moral and philosophical questions that you won't even realize you were asking until the end of the finale. And believe me, it is a brilliant finale, perfect for a brilliant series. The ambiguity of the plot makes the viewing experience that much more enjoyable, as the viewer is left to come up with their own conclusion about the events of the series. If you liked Death Note or Psycho-Pass, trust me: you haven't seen anything yet.
