The story is about Enma Ai, but she is better known as Jigoku Shoujo, which means girl from hell. But saying that the story is about her, is not true. Every episode focuses on other characters. These people have been wronged in life, and seek revenge
To get their revenge, they go to a site (that weirdly enough has the same name as the nickname of the protagonist) while its 0:00 hour, to request the death of the one that wronged them, and for them to be dragged to hell by Enma.
But there is a steep price for wanting the revenge. When the person who asked for the murder dies, he/she will not go to heaven when they die, but will also end up in hell
The strength of this anime is the struggle the characters go trough. You see that the characters have trouble deciding if they actually want these people murdered (they souls will also go to hell, after all) I had moments that I had tears in my eyes while watching those people get wronged. And I had moments of pure joy when the people who wronged them got carried to hell.
The building up to the moment when someone decides if they really want revenge is also done beautifully. You get why they want revenge, you feel happy for them that they get that said revenge, and at the same time you feel sorry, knowing that they will also end up in hell
There are however also some things that aren’t that good with the anime.
Lets begin with the reason that I decided to watch this anime. I wanted a good horror anime, and I expected to have a lot of horror, and some action here and there. This is not what you get from the show. Don’t let the premise of people being dragged to hell fool you that this is an anime with lots of horror.
I’m not saying that the lack of horror is a bad thing. I mean, I just said that I think that this is an great anime that knows how to hit your emotions. Its just something totally different than true horror anime. It has scary moments, yes, but not enough and not as scary enough to be called an horror anime
Another thing that isn’t that good about the anime, is sometimes the moments on when the show tries to make you feel something. What I mean with this, is that sometimes its to obvious that you should feel sorry or that you should cry, while these moments aren’t that moving. This, however, rarely happens, and isn’t that big of an issue
Another thing to note: if you want funny shows, then don’t watch this. If you want a lot of action, don’t watch this. If you want horror, don’t watch this. What I’m trying to say is that this show is definitely not for everybody. This is a ‘’feel’’ show, and if you don’t like crying or sudden shift of moods, then don’t watch this anime
For the people who like ‘’feel’’ shows, like to cry to movies, can appreciate good characters and story, and doesn’t mind the lack of action/horror or funny moments, watch this anime. Its for you
