"Is there any evidence to prove your existence?"
It was something that was briefly mentioned earlier in the series, yet it wraps up the feeling I get from this series. Saying a series is confusing, can be positive and negative, as it can point out to a badly written plot or something with a lot of surprises. In the case of Shuangsheng Lingtan, I'm talking about the last one of course. I just couldn't predict where the series was going. It feels really refreshing, yet not too complicated.
But first let's wrap up the story a lil' (there will be some spoilers of the first episodes).
Story 9/10
So the story is about the twin detectives Xiao Tu and Xiao Hu, who hold a business that specializes in supernatural events. What makes this series interesting, is that Xiao Hu died a while ago. However, Xiao Tu is still able to see and communicate with his dead brother and they're always together. As a viewer, you start to get questions about the situation, as the series drops hints that there's more to it than just a guy that happened to see the ghost of his dead brother. As Youzi said: "Since you don't believe you have any psychological issues, how do you view your current situation?"
What if there aren't any ghosts but this series is about hallucinating and PTSD's?
These are all questions fired at the viewer in only the first half hour.
The series hasn't finished airing yet, but as where we are now in the story, I can confirm a lot of questions get a satisfying ending. The individual stories tie together nicely, without becoming predictable and a few jumpscares every now and then (that creepy baby... just... that baby...).
Yes, it's by far the most tightly written series I have ever seen, with obvious clues and kind of simplistic interrogations, but nevertheless it's enjoyable and good when it has to be. The best way to call this series is: 'Refreshing', even though I can't really tell you why.
Art 8/10
Hmm, maybe I was slightly too generous with my points over here, but I just really love this art-style? Yes, you could say the character designs are too plain, but the animation and art-style itself is really beautiful. I might be biased because it slightly (just SLIGHTLY) reminds me of the art in Kakumeiki Valvrave (mainly the eyes). Shout-out to Bing btw, she's gorgeous without being your average my-boobs-don't-understand-gravity-Miss-Fanservice.
Sound 7/10
The opening is beautiful and really reminds me of the typical detective series I used to watch on TV. Other than that I can't say a lot about the sound. It wasn't outstanding, but not disturbing either.
Compared to some other Chinese anime (including some done by Haoliners) the voice acting is better, by the way. A lot of people often shit on the Chinese voice cast, but I think they sound good in Shuangshen Lingtan.
Character 8/10
Nothing too special or unique, yet it doesn't feel like they lack character development. They're simple, likable and nice.
Enjoyment 10/10
When I watch a show, all I want is to be surprised. Shuangshen Lingtan didn't fail on me on this one. I couldn't predict where the story was going for, yet it didn't follow some kind of illogical path in order to be unique or creative. It was just fine.
Thanks for surviving my bad English, and I hope you give this series a shot!
