Themes: censorship, freedom, equality, genetic engineering
Atmosphere: serious, sad, scary
Strenghts: solid story, tought-provoking
Weaknesses: some uneven pacing
Full Review:
Did you ever imagine how humanity would deal with supernatural powers? This anime is an adaptation of a sci-fi novel set in a distant future where humans have acquired telekinetic capabilities. This new world seems almost utopian at first, but something doesn’t feel quite right. That unsettling feeling is shared by a group of five childhood friends, whose adventures form the core of the storyline. What makes Shinsekai Yori special is that it addresses disturbing themes while also providing an entertaining tale of battle and mystery.
Story: 10
The story is extremely well crafted, as you would expect from something based on a novel. At first, it bears similarities to A Brave New World and The Hunger Games, but it gets completely different in unpredictable ways. The world the children live in holds many secrets, and you won’t get to the bottom of the mystery until the very end. The first part of the series focuses on the relationships between the characters. Then the story picks up, and we understand that what is happening is on a much larger scale. Everything is successfully wrapped up with purpose and sense in the end.
Characters: 9
You get five different characters, well fleshed out, and each of them undergo stellar character development. Saki makes an ideal protagonist because she is level-headed and has good judgment. She takes action when she needs to. Then you have a gifted boy, an intrepid one, a caring girl and a sensitive boy, which might sound cliché, but all of them are memorable. All I can say without spoiling is that they are brave and smart, looking out for each other. Indeed, what really shines is the relationship between them.
Sound: 9
I think the music is excellent. I can still hear the sunset tune in my head. It is hauntingly beautiful and creates the perfect atmosphere. The songs are a little repetitive, but very fitting to the overly controlled society, giving it a bit of an artificial feel. The voice acting is impressive too, especially considering the characters age throughout the series.
Art: 10
Beautiful art and fluid animation. You’ll find spectacular scenery, lovely character design, creative clothing, interesting backgrounds, soft colors, but beware of super ugly creatures. I think art and music work together wonderfully to create powerful atmospheres, most of the time somewhat scary. It is, afterall, a dystopian universe, so even the enchanting landscapes hide a sour truth.
Enjoyment: 8
Although the anime did great in every other aspect, I felt the pacing was uneven. Some parts felt like they had been stretched too much, while other episodes were packed with events. That being said, it felt like the anime went through a variety of genres, from slice of life to action to horror. Accordingly, it made me go through many emotions, including disgust, sadness and fear. I thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the series because the conflict takes epic proportions.
I found this anime smart, unpredictable and moving. Koodos to the creators for staying clear of overused anime formulas. They didn’t talk down to the viewers by explaining everything through dialogue and they actually made good use of flashbacks. I highly recommend to watch this anime till the end. It might not be for everyone, because it is serious and weird, but it is definitely an original piece of work that will have you reflect on various social themes.
