So why do I give this anime such a high score? While it did failed as a sport series, what Shion no Ou managed to achieve is a compelling and intense story about obsessive love, overcoming the odds and most important of all, growing up.
To me, Shogi is such a boring game. It's not something I want to play even with my friends let alone someone who would murder my family. But that's the case for our little Shion, traumatized by the horrible event, she lost her voices. Seven years later, being quite masterful at shogi, she eventually emerges in the pro scene. There she met her rivals and then slowly the murder that haunt her is slowly unfold.
Now I will explain why the "sport" part is bad imo. I'm sure to most of you, Shogi is quite a boring game. But what really hold this anime down is that the mystery plays such a big part in the overall tone of the show. Frankly, it darkens Shion no Ou so much that it kills any exciment you can have while watching the game. Even though I find the matches between players is quite captivating and intense. But when you consider "sport" as an element of the anime, it actually adds up to the depth of the show, raising it to be truly one of the best mystery I have ever watched.
The characters is another strong aspect of Shion no Ou. Every characters, especially the main ones. have clear motives for their actions and being developed very well through out the show. I especially enjoy seeing the antagonist, the reasons for his wrongdoing is interesting and quite ideal. Personally, I give the cast for this show a 9/10.
I have been a fan of mystery for very long. And even amongst those that I watched, Shion no Ou is quite a unique show. And I will give it a high recommendation for anyone who enjoy a good mystery as I do.
