No Longer Human (Ningen Shikkaku): The first story (4 episodes) depicts a tragic period in the life of the author Osamu Dasai. The drama and richness of the narrative is found between themes of suicide, loss of identity and search for humanity ... The title of the new exhibits in the implicit battle of a man against himself. Needless to say that the registry is defeatist and no way out seems to be the general impression of the author on life itself.
In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom (Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita): The second story is spread over two episodes. The atmosphere changes, the colours are brighter, plots keep coming faster and it seems to fall into a series of adventure. The animation on it is much more traditional and it detaches from the realism of other tales. The story refers to a kind of folklore, myth or legend that would be similar to the interpretation of loneliness. This tale amused me most because it integrates skilfully combines drama and burlesque.
3. Kokoro: The third story also adopts the same format with another small feature. This means that the author will be positioned on two different points of views in relation to the sequence of events. He tells two different ways of facts through the eyes of two antagonistic characters. The themes of friendship, love and trust are treated. Again, the narrative is subtly done and creates the surprise in the viewer.
Run, Melos (Hashire, Melos!): If the title means anything to you or tells you absolutely nothing, it is an ancient Greek legend picked up by the Roman author Gaius Julius Hyginus(thank you Wikipedia!!). Why the choice of this tragedy? It’s to illustrate the trouble caused by the expectation in the eyes of the author through the themes of friendship and mutual trust.
The Spider’s Thread and Hell Screen : Eh! As have we done with this drama? No, but the last two are so related stories rich in colour and moral. We go in a totally imaginary, probably another world in which human cruelty take you to artistically project a vision of hell. I particularly enjoyed the last one, I would call it ... Sumptuous.
Overall:
That is my brief impressions on Aoi Bungaku Series: a series of four new literary authors who have marked Japanese literature and my mind too.
There is no fault that I can raise in this animation, simply astonishment. Whether through the realization of the different panoramas, the reproduction of the time details (including Showa 1926-1989), the atmosphere made by colours, design costumes, the transcript of this exchange between dream, the nightmare and reality, what is absolutely certain is that the quality of graphics absorbs the viewer and constantly seeking his attention. Each party, each story, I say absolutely every story has a great job. And the latest episodes have reached a paroxysm. A true artistic intelligence conducted on several levels and various sequences. The chara-design is very nice, the participation of manga artists who have worked on projects is famous for something. The characters are very charismatic.
Aoi Bungaku Series interests, it is because his stories are intriguing. It is not in the superficial extravagance and excess, everything is just conducted, often in a very relevant realism. Ultimately, I would have had a great time, my words may seem inseparable recurring and my impressions, but I don’t have enough words to qualify this great narrative and screenplay work. This Series allowed me to dream.
Even if I was totally conquered, there is no guarantee that this series can please everyone, so try it and judge it by yourself.
