I apologize for the lack of explanation, but explaining too much would spoil the show's enjoyment because enjoyment comes from the "why": the unraveling of the mystery and exploration of human motives.) Shin Sekai Yori is basically about a post-apocalyptic dystopian society where everyone has and learns to control psychic power. The single most important factor governing this society is the prevention of calamities, namely appearance of karmic demons or ogres. Enslaved by human society are the intelligent monster rats who see the humans as gods due to their power and this dynamic is crucial to the development of the plot. The show explores themes of morality, ethics, law, eugenics, child developmental psychology, teen love, and social contract. Usually a dystopian story (novel, film, show, etc.) sets up the dystopian government, which bears resemblance to current governmental structures and expose its flaws (like 1984, Psychopass). The dystopia in Shin Sekai Yori rather gives justification for the horrible things the society does. What is necessary for society to survive? Why does this society go to such lengths?
The pacing is slow. This isn't an action anime. It doesn't really pick up until ep 16. Until then, we watch the main characters go from schoolchildren just entering middle school to adults functioning in this society. Because the things that society does are terrible, children are kept from this knowledge and it is revealed to us as the children learn as well. The pacing gives us time to mull over the things we learn about this society. It feels like the series could go for 50 episodes based on pacing, and yet by the time you finish the series, so much has happened. Not to mention, some of the scenes are breathtakingly beautiful (boat scene with shun and saki) and the music while generic at times can be haunting.
As I've said, this is probably my favorite anime in its profundity and execution. The pacing is slow, but it's all part of the atmosphere created.
10/10
