-- the following is a discussion on why denji is easy to root for and how the adaptation was handled. slight spoilers concerning an ed are contained within. reader discretion is advised. --
Life is hard. I find even myself rolling my eyes at that statement, but the truth is the truth regardless of how oversaid it is. Life is hard. The struggles people face day-to-day vary from person to person, but everyone has experienced misfortune in one way or another.
Denji's position on the spectrum is thrown in the worst possible side: a starved, malnourished, lonely, overworked orphan. The only solace present is a little dog with a protruding chainsaw head. When we lose something we love, we crumble, it hurts, but we get back up. Denji gets back up, but only at the assistance of others and conditions that most people would scoff at. The basic things many of us take for granted: food, water, shelter, warmth, companionship, etc. being offered at a tremendous expense: devil hunting. Thrusting oneself into peril without a care in the world, treating pain as part of the norm, for the bare minimum of existence and acknowledgement.
Acceptance. Denji accepts his position. Those around him question his methods, why go to these lengths? Why be a plaything of Public Safety? Well, when compared to his earlier position, the present is paradise. And that's why it's easy to root for him. We want him to succeed, we want him to prove his metal and have his social status rise. He's from a painful background, an unloved individual finally getting a social outlet, being able to form connections, and finally being treated as a living thing. One might wish for more, to be treated like a human, but for Denji, the bar is low... very low. I wish him the best and will continue to support his ventures. Sounds like I'll invest if he starts a business... Denji's Drug Store... nah, Denji's Dermatology... oh, a way more fitting avenue would be like Denji's Dild-
Fujimoto's creative, masterclass Shounen is adapted incredibly well by MAPPA. Jaw-dropping animation with few and far between odd translations (where is "I'm talking about nut shots"!?!) and CGI usage, the cons are heavily outweighed by the pros. The biggest advantage given here is the decision to give each episode a unique ED. It gives a great chance for a wide variety of artists to not only share their expertise with a large audience, but for them and the animation team to create something that encompasses the episode in question as well as the series as a whole. My favorite is easily "In the Backroom". A fantastic track with stunning imagery, it showcases the current situation with repetition and frantic character movements, and the series as a whole with a variety of horses and blood splattering. Contrast it with something like the Power ED, a more lighthearted sounding track with a more fun visual style - each ED offers something different and tries a multitude of styles, ideas, etc.
A great way to end the year.
