Out of the vast sea of modern-day vampire stories, very rarely does a story about vampires stick to it''s true core: vampires. And by vampires I don't mean the romantic albino superhumans, the ecchi vampires (who barely pass as vampires), or even the badass characters from most shounen vampire animes. What I really mean when I say vampire is the classic 16th century vampire; the root story, if you please. These vampires don't get free superpowers that make them invincible, nor are they instantly all powerful. These vampires lurk in the shadows. Like the tales told by many in 16th century London, these vampires are secretive, cunning predators who live off human blood - it's not a fun choice, it's a forced lifestyle. Get it? Once you become a vampire, well....you're a vampire! For better or worse.
What exactly am I getting at? Well that's what Shiki is all about. The title, "corpse demon" is extremely representative of it's true nature. These vampires are not friends, nor are they to be trusted. To put it simply, they're demons. Let's get to the story:
The story itself, for being a tale about vampires, is very feasible, and what really struck home to me was how realistic the initial reception of the effects of the vampires are. There are none. As usual, the setting is in a small and confined rural town. At first, the vampire presence is simply a new disease to Ozaki Toshio, the trusted town doctor, a methodological man who is passionate about his work. Soon, it becomes an epidemic as body after body begins to pile up. Now, does he immediately find out the true cause of the "epidemic"? No. It takes a while, and even after he makes his decision he is reluctant to accept the truth. That's what makes this anime interesting and fresh.
The other main character is Yuuki Natsuno, a boy who has moved to Sotoba recently from the city. Yuuki is a very interesting yet important character, despite the fact that at no point does Yuuki actually contribute to the investigation of the disease or do anything to stop it (until very late in). His true role is to play the foil to doctor Toshio, experiencing the effects of the vampires torment on the town firsthand. You have your outside and methodological point of view, as well as your inside man, who experiences the fear first hand.
Something that makes the vampires really believable is the fact that they cannot walk into the sunlight. They have their weaknesses (be they smart, or rather silly). The other more important note that makes Shiki a believable story is the fact that, with only a few exceptions, no character is safe. Be it a new supporting character or a main character, anyone can go at any time.
Art is good, although the animation is choppy at a few scenes. Whether or not this is on purpose or accidental is a center of controversy, but I felt that body movements fit the mood of the story. The voice acting is superb, and quite believable, if it's the strong, fearful, or the weak and feeble. The OPs are quite addictive and match the plot well, so hats off to the bands. Background music fits the mood almost all the time with eerie music and nice sound effects that are fitting.
Character development deserves an honorable mention as well, as Shiki does a good job at playing psychological angles. Whether you're watching the doctor slowly grow cold, the priest sympathetic, resolves strengthening, or hearts being broken, Shiki never fails to succeed. Biases and stereotypes that run about the idea of a small town are, for the lack of a better word, scary. I nearly shit myself and my blood ran cold when I saw how easily and quickly the townspeople had adapted to the vampires and the slaughter.
Overall, I must say, Shiki is a list topper for me. The smart plot and the characters really set it in stone. Fear-wise though, the horror in Shiki is absolutely nothing compared to the psychological fear. The moral dilemmas the characters are presented with and the instinct to survive are in constant conflict, making it thought provoking yet cold-hearted. How quickly the humans adapt to becoming vampires, killing (on both ends), and the choice to die or survive makes this show truly entertaining to watch. It is quite honestly the best anime I have seen in a long time. No one should hesitate to watch it, and I'll see you in my next review.
