First of all I would like to say, this Anime is amazing. The character development, the plot, the pace of the story from start to end, it was all perfect!
Normally I would start off by giving a little backstory to the main protagonist, but honestly, Shiki doesn't like to maintain it's focus on one main character for too long. People who have watched the Anime from start to finish should know what I'm talking about. I'll refrain from any spoilers.
Shiki, the story kicks off with a female character by the name of 'Megumi Shizumi' a 15 year old girl with freakishly large leg lengths that makes her look like a 20+ year old, and has a shocking resemblance to 'Gasai Yuno' from Mirai Nikki, in more than just appareance... I'm serious.
Back on topic though, Megumi Shizumi, a 15 year old female with bright pink hair and pink eyes. There isn't much too say about her honestly, she's your typical 'highschool girl' if you will. Only has her eyes on the cool, cold-hearted lead male character and is cold to pretty much everyone else. And more than likely spoiled by her parents. Which you can interpret by the clothes she wears. They live in a Village... she looks like she just finished shopping at the damn local Topshop or something. :/
Enough about her though. Slowly but surely, a character by the name of Yuuki, Natsuno Yuuki, gets introduced. A calm and collected, inteliigent lead male Tsundere that likes to keep to himself. He does have a deal of fondness towards another male who he claims to be friends with, Thoru Mutou, the Naruto and Sasuke of Shiki. Except Tohru is 3 years older than Natsuno.
He gets introduced on the third episode and plays a semi-major part in the series. But he definietly isn't the main focus.
Soon enough as the first episode ends though, a deadly incident happens to one of the characters, which causes some suspicion among the Village folk with what's going on and what caused it. You don't find out much about the reason in the first episode, but soon enough, as the third episode comes, you discover more about a man by the name of 'Tatsumi' which him and his family are apparently moving into a large castle type fort that is placed far over the forests of the Village. We'll refer to this place as the 'Stronghold'.
Tatsumi himself is a werewolf, he doesn't get effected by any sunlight, drinking human blood isn't compulsory as he can easily live off human food and beverages and is considerably faster/stronger than the other species that are revealed in this Anime. Which are 'Shiki' basically Vampires, or the 'risen'. They need blood to survive. Human blood to be precise.
I won't say anymore as I may accidentally spoil the series.
Would definietly recommend this to anyone, especially Vampire lovers. These aren't your typical Vampires you see in movies or other Anime like in 'Vampire Knight' These are taken straight from the myth. They don't go by sterotypes like being scared of crosses. But with other exceptions. They can only enter houses and buildings if they are given permission. So they would have to ask them before hand. Yeah, I know, it sounds ridiculous, but it really does make the series more interesting and intriguing.
If you like Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, I would definietly recommend this Anime. They are very similar. They have the same atmosphere, both set in Villages with a mysterious chain of deaths happening which is yet to be discovered, and both will definietly get you hooked till the very last episode.
The art really was... 'unique' each character really did have their own unique trait, whether it be there hairstyle or facial features, each individual character really were different. Some in a good way, some in a bad way. But mostly in a bad way. Which is of course my opnion. The only seemingly 'normal' character art were Seishin, Ozaki and Sunako. And that's just boderline, you can tell some of them have some weird art style, but is just enough to pass off as 'normal'
No hate, just expressing my opinion.
The opening and endings, both were amazing in my opinion, then and again, I love nearly all Anime OP's and ED's. I must point out though, perhaps I'm the only one that thinks this, but am I the only one that though the opening made it look more like a survial game Anime? Like, Mirai Nikki or Danganronpa. It's because of how they showed the different characters at 00:04-00:07, they flicked through them like... I don't know, it's hard to explain... it just reminded me of an opening of a survival game Anime. Like they were trying to advitise it like that. Then and again, Shiki does... eh... sort of count as one.
Overall, I give the series a 9.2/10
Soley because of the character art that made it lose points, but I didn't have the heart to knock it down a full 1. The story and character development were really well done, definetly a solid 10 on story and character devolpment. So 9.2 is my final score.
Honestly, don't let me description of the art discourage you, it is definietly a series worth watching.
Thank you so much for reading!
[Bare in mind this is my first review, so if I missed any vital points, don't be afraid to PM me and notify me about it. Would be much appreciated!]
-ImChibiKun.
