First Impressions – Shin Sekai Yori
A tale From a New World, kick-starting a promising Fall season.
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I had absolutely no intentions of watching Shinseki, but then Kyo said that it looked pretty good. …And after watching the first episode, here I am. Telling you to watch it. I wasn’t expecting much, but Shinsekai was a pleasant surprise. |
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Shin Sekai Yori confused me, scared me, intrigued me. I don’t know exactly what is going on with this series or in what direction its trying to move in but I want it to take me to dark places it promises. After a summer of sunshine and love, I’m ready for a romp on the dark side once again. |
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Welcome to Metanorn’s first Fall Impressions. The last two months were so tough for most of the writers that even when we tried, we couldn’t compile the Fall season review to our liking (in-depth detail and meat). However, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a trend. So, without missing a beat, let me present you one of the promising shows of this season, which almost sets its tone with its haunting welcome massacre. |
Production Pats to the Staff
//Kara: Animation Shenanigans – Before we get into anything plot-wise, I’d like to take this opportunity to say that A-1 Pictures has done a marvelous job this first episode. They’ve done really nice things animation-wise like Occult Academy and UtaPri (for the most part), and this too looks really nice. I like the fact that the animation style has it’s own unique feel and despite the character design falling into the ‘moe’ category, it kind of fits and makes a contrast with the darker things going on in the plot thus far. …Kind of like Higurashi, only WAAAAAY better looking. The special effects look really well done too. They didn’t stick out too much and fit in nicely with the animation. As Kyokai would say, anything better than Darkness/beam-kun. Sure, it totally has the opportunity to turn bad anywhere in it’s run, but looking at the recent A-1 track record, it seems as if Shin Sekai Yori would continue to look good throughout.
//Sushi: Director & Screenplay – Ishihama Masashi only has Kamichu! and Night Raid 1931 to his directorial credit. Both shows didn’t make much of a splash but their unique visual aesthetics were of note and you can see that he has a long line of Key Animation under his belt. Similarly this series uses various cinematography tricks to build the atmosphere of this show. The combination of the film grain effect with washed out colors actualizes the supernatural elements at play. You can feel Saki’s paranoia just from the subtle visual cues. His interesting use of cutaways to collage to together past and present events really keep you on your toes as you piece together the events of the first episode. All in all, this series shows the signs of being this young directors breakout hit.
//Kyokai: Seiyuu cast & Music – The two most prominent names out of the cast has literally been getting too much work since last one and a half years. Yes, I am speaking about the very busy and popular Hana Kanazawa and Yuki Kaji, joined by a motley crew of rising seiyuu for whom, this title can be make or break. Shigeo Komori doesn’t have a lot of music finesse under his belt but then add K-On! theme songs along with Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi and Arcana Famiglia – you have some semblance of promise. An interesting fact about the music is the fact that the title comes from Dvoark’s 9th Symphony. Kishi Yusuke (original novel author) was inspired by this performance and even incorporated it in the novel plot. I’m really interested to know how it would affect on the Original Soundtrack of this series but can already hear it seeping in the BGM and that haunting OP sequence (if that was the OP sequence).
A Dystopian Premise
//Kara: The New World – They kind of just threw us into this future Japan after showing a bunch of random slaughtering in what I assume is modern day Japan. It was confusing at first, but they did a pretty good job of explaining what the new world is like (…provided you paid attention. I know I missed things on first time watch). From what I understand, Japan now consists of small villages that probably don’t really interact with one another (though it’s still to be seen). Also, everything looks like something out of the past (since they seem to rely on agriculture and lack of industrial machines), even though it’s the future. I assume this is because of whatever happened in the first 5 minutes of the anime, but more on that later. There’s also a concept of protected by boundaries. This Japan seems to have some sort of supernatural creatures called ‘fiends’ roaming about and the boundaries seem to hide humans from them or something. If the story about the boy cutting off the bridge to prevent the fiend from finding his village is true, I don’t think people would want to risk that by visiting other small villages. In any case, the village they focused on seems self-sufficient enough.
//Sushi: Meet this Small Town – Ibaragi Kamisu 66 is in an interesting beast indeed. Much of the architecture present harkens back to an era of feudalism in Japan. Technology itself seems to have been scaled back, replaced by an intense form of mysticism that permeates every facet of this small society. The name of the town itself is a direct reference to the town of Kamisu in the Ibaraki prefecture of Japan. It’s strange considering that even after a thousand years and an upheaval of all the social norms we are used to, the name of the place has remained the same. Take note of the number 66 in the towns name. The numerical denomination of this village states that there is some sort of structure to Japan as a whole. Whether it is controlled by some sort of larger organization that is trying to isolate certain populations is still up to speculation. If anything it seems like a very mechanical naming device in a world that evokes the ideals of natural order from Heien era.
// Kyokai: Concept of Juryoku – As Kara and Sushi elaborated, this future Japan seems dodgy because everything is not as it seems. The surviving humans seemed to have developed Telekinesis or Psychic powers called Juryoku (form of evolution perhaps or via an external stimuli needs to be seen). But the cherry on top is that they are not free to use these powers rather as soon as teenagers develop them, a certain ritual/mantra is invoked to shut off this curse. I presume it’s like taking most of the mojo off their backs but I’m not sure that sealing deal with blood and pins is actually effective. Seems more like hypnosis to me but we shall find out with plot progression. It was interesting to see how they could seal Juryoku partially but the teens could still use it for drawing pictures, playing with cards and such. Selective brainwashing, anyone? There’s something more than fishy going on here.
The Mystery of Ibaragi Kamisu 66
//Kara: School or Human Zoo? – Despite the countryside looking peaceful, everyone having kickass psychic powers and seeing the children having fun at school, it already looks like there’s way more to this village than it seems. Saki compared her school’s atmosphere to a farm, which is interesting considering the pressure on the students to do well. Good students progress, students that don’t do so well like Reika, well…. who knows yet. Anyways, back to the farm analogy, it’s kind of like animal productivity and such. Chickens that don’t lay eggs, or who lay eggs of less quality and quantity than the majority who do obviously aren’t going to be around for long. Keeping them around would be a waste of money if you could just replace them with ones who could keep up better with the others. That being said as well, they probably won’t live long enough to breed either since their DNA could be considered inferior. Think natural selection. …Which is kind of disturbing to think about when you come out of the farm analogy and start talking about human children. Of course, I don’t know if that’s entirely what Saki was trying to say about the school seeming like the farm, but it’s an interesting comparison anyways.
//Sushi: Story of Akki and Gouki – Fiends are repeating theme throughout the entire episode. At first the idea of copy cats and demons are just stories told to children to keep them within the boundary field. But this is an actual subject taught in schools. In class, Maria reads the story of the boy who destroyed a bridge just so no fiend would ever find his village. It’s a basic myth of the creatures living outside the restricted boundary, which serves as the foundation for why one of these ghastly beasts never find their homes to begin with. Again, this narrative sounds exactly like a bedtime story about things that go bump in the night, or hide underneath a closet. It all sounds a bit too convenient…
// Kyokai: The Friends in Need – Everything seems hunky-dory with smiley teens and parents who dote on their kids. But, is this really a utopian future? I’m not afraid to say, it isn’t so. Beneath the happy faces of adults lurks hundreds of secrets and no wonder Saki, our main protagonist has gleaned some stark realities even if it needed some eavesdropping in her part. Saki seems an earnest main character, who is intelligent enough to at least notice her surroundings. Maria, Satoru, Mamoru seem like the kids from next door but Shun has the potential of being Saki’s counterpart in observing his surrounding closer than his carefree classmates. The progress of episode one clearly raised the red flag for Reika in group one, who is the weakest link. However, that shouldn’t be making her classmates into that Another bunch. Whatever is her end her mother should be shitting out like Saki’s mother, while my heart goes out to Saki’s sibling that we would never find out about). I’d be looking forward to how this group bands together in argument/agreement for whatever will be Reika’s end. Though, before more speculations, let’s enjoy the ED “Wareta Ringo” by Risa Taneda:
Speculation and Impressions
I absolutely loved this first episode and I’m still not entirely sure what this anime is even about. Whatever it is though, it has my attention. Just due to the small, secluded village atmosphere, the cute and innocent character art style, and the fact that something feels terribly, terribly wrong, this seems like a winning formula to me. This is probably largely due to my love for Higurashi, but the setup seems even more intriguing to me. Why do they have psychic powers in the first place? Why are children disappearing? Why isn’t anyone saying anything about any of this? The culture in this village fascinates me already and the customs it did introduce us to this first episode seem interesting as well. From the folklore about the Nekodamashi and fiends to that fire scene at the beginning, this world seems really well established.
From what we’ve seen, everything wrong in this village just seems like its commonplace and that everyone just accepts the way it is. Saki’s classmates don’t seem to think that anything is out of place. Saki herself though, has proved that she doesn’t quite fit in with her friends. Not only because she’s a late bloomer to join the class, but also because of that Nekodamashi she saw. Now as far as I can tell from a quick google search, a Nekodamashi isn’t actually from any Japanese folklore (aside from being some sort of sumo wrestling move), so the sky’s the limit pretty much on what it actually is. Apparently it also means something along the lines of ‘deceiving cat’. Now as for how this fits into the story, does this mean that Saki is going to disappear as well? She’s proven herself slightly different from society and as far as this first episode has proven, anyone who doesn’t fit in mysteriously disappears. I’m sure there’s some secret reason behind all of this and hopefully this anime can coherently explain all of that (as well as what happened to the world to make it like that in the future). I’ll be sticking around to see how this develops.
I’ll start my speculation with the Board of Education & Ethics Committee. The government seems to split into two halves. Instead of it being reminiscent of anything like feudal fiefdom, it more closely resembles a theocracy. The Board of Education, which oversees both the Harmony and Sage schools, seem to carry some authority over the coming of age ceremony for children and when it can last be administered. Of course the ceremony itself is tied directly to the Temple itself. The interplay between the two doesn’t exactly mean they are one in the same, but Saki’s mother does tell us that the principle for the Sage school is the old priest Saki meets at the shrine. The Ethics Committee might be a separate arm of the government that overlooks traditional executive roles such as the enforcement and creation of laws. Its tough to glean what exactly is going on from the first episode but seems like we will find out.
Now that we’ve been introduced to the character and have gotten our first taste of the world, I hope the series takes its first steps to put an actual story in action. Saki has the seeds of doubt planted within her, now it’s time to water them. With the disappearance of Reiko on horizon, and her own fate in question, it pushes the plot in an interesting direction. Does Saki find out what exactly happens? If and when she does, what does she do with that information? The scene from the past serves as an interesting primer. It tells us that society has changed because of the individuals with telepathic powers. Is there something more to this world of psychics? My feeling is we get the first taste of the dark secret in the next episode. Not enough to solidify any speculation, but to send them off in wild and fanciful direction. My prediction is that psychics have been isolated in several locations, while the rest of the world has continued to live peacefully.
I remember thinking of Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke when I watched the first trailer and it looks like I wasn’t the only one. However, this anime is far from expansive landscapes and morale-filled stories; just look at that cover art featuring a Bakenezumi. Shin Sekai Yori is filled with darkness that reminds me of Satoba from Shiki. First episode is too early to expect much but I can only hope that this series keeps me on my toes unfolding its mysteries slowly. I’m not saying this episode didn’t have any faults of sometimes being disjointed and even transitioning without any meaning. Though, it’s too early to say that because we are just at the door; let it open up and wait to discover the place before making up your mind about it. A friendly suggestion, if you haven’t read the MAL summary, I’d tell you to lay off it because it has too much spoilery information.
Now, what to make of these highly monitored children, who are literally being prepared like livestock by the adults (Sac cows, seriously?). For what? I don’t have the foggiest… Maybe, it’s to protect them from what’s out there as the sacrifice of technology that their race has made must be for a reason. I really want to know more about how humans ended up having psychic powers and the culmination of it all. Something like Matrix comes to mind but whenever you try to stop something, that something always finds a way to get out. So, I’d like to join these kids to do just that and see their growing experience of finding more about Kamisu 66, its surrounding areas and the veiled decision makers.
Preview:
Seems like veiled moral stories are going to be thematically repeated in episodes and our next lesson is about ‘arrogance’. My mind goes back to the first scenes of episode when unidentified teenagers massacred people. Was it out of arrogance from their power or something different altogether? I guess, we’ll learn soon enough. So, readers, what you thought about this episode and what are your theories about the next episode? Let’s hear them!
About Tag Team
We live, laugh, enjoy and strictly believe on "more the merrier". When together, we usually come up with very chatty, conversation-based episodics and interesting posts.
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
Very interesting way to start the series, I will admit. The first few minutes make you think one thing and then the rest of the episode goes the other way and I’m still not sure what the story of this anime is even about. The atmosphere is dang creepy though. Definitely reminds me a bit of Another and Shiki and maybe a bit of Higurashi.
I’m thinking, with Saki’s relationship with the school and such(noticing how odd it is and such) when Reika disappears, she will try to find the truth of what happened and finds out more than she bargained for and is exiled(as is said on myanimelist).
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I think they did the whole past and future transition purposefully to keep the audience guessing. The whole grainy effect in the beginning and even later parts really highlighted those moments as eerie.
Oh so you did real the MAL summary. It has too much information but yeah, Reika’s pending disappearance and her own troublesome powers would get her in trouble arguably along with discovering some dark secrets. I don’t like her that much right now but I hope I can feel some connection as episodes progress for more relation in reviewing.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 304 comments
Well, I’m hooked! It’s pretty to look at, it’s interesting, and it’s very eerie. I’m looking forward to finding out more about what the heck was going on in the beginning of the episode. Ah, I don’t completely understand everything, but that’s what makes me want to watch more!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I wasn’t expecting much myself but this anime has sure surprised me. I hope it keeps up with its momentum with its eerie mysteries and unexpected plot twists.
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 30 comments
I just hope the art stays top notch. It’ll be a let down if the smart direction takes a hit.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I expect better from A-1. They are really doing a good job on this.
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
I didn’t realize there was a connection to the symphony by Dvorak before watching, and I have to say the use of it was VERY effective. Both as the old order was collapsing (through unrestrained use of the psychic power) and as the children were out walking in the dusky countryside.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
As I am unfamiliar with Dvorak’s work, I couldn’t pinpoint where it was used but thanks for pointing it out. I went back and checked them out and it definitely adds to that scenes.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
This is very intriguing and dark. I’m now relieved we have an anime because I was dreading the possibility we wouldn’t have a dark, creepy show for the Fall season. Especially since it’s october and Halloween is right around the corner.
The atmosphere and locations are really eerie and unsettling, reminiscent of both Shiki and Another. The village itself looks dreary. Even Tasogare shared some similarities (As in the foundation of the abandoned school). Given the beginning of the episode, I imagine a certain number of people may die horrible and excruciating deaths.
Hopefully, from the preview, the show’s strong point will center on the concepts of morality and the psychological aspects of the characters. It also seems it will also be about the people’s sins seeing arrogance was mentioned, which is related to pride and “Pride” is one of the seven deadly sins.
To me, the animation is just like that of Another and Hyouka. The color is beautiful. If the story doesn’t turn out good, I might continue to watch for the scenery.
Overall, I’m in. Let’s see how far this creepy rabbit hole goes.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
This has hooked me more than what Another could do on its first episode, which is a good thing. I always like these kinds of show and even when my expectations were rock bottom (just look at the moe design and almost girly-looking guys – Mamoru’s curls can give any girl a run for her money), in the beginning. I’d be definitely looking forward to some deaths and finding more about what happened in the past that such a protected and secluded habitat was formed.
Animation quality really shines here. I have to commend A-1 Pictures for continuously upping notches of their Production with time. Finally, all that money they have been making through shoujo-bate anime have finally paid off.
Yes, indeed, let’s hope to discover some creepy things along our way.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 207 comments
Everything is great in this first episode! The animation and cinematography (OHMAHGAWD), the music, and I really like the main character. I also love the horror feel to it, especially with all the killings at the beginning, can’t wait to see what that’s all about.
I also think the premise is cool. Though I have to admit at the beginning I didn’t know quite what was going on, but everything else made up for that! I’m really curious to see how Saki’s situation turns out, with the whole cat thing, and what her parents were all worried about too.
Hopefully they’ll show the opening next week! XD
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I agree. The whole setting was very well done and everything fit right in its place. A good beginning of a hopefully good horror/supernatural show.
Saki seems to be in trouble because seeing the Bakenezumi is never a good omen for these kids. I would like to know why they see it to begin with. The file size for episode 2 is huge but it’s DLing right now and I can’t wait to see it.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I’m seeing this show compared to Shiki a lot, and it really does feel like another great contender in the horror/suspense genre. It’s so rare to get a good show that can actually give uneasy vibes to the audience. Just one episode in and I’m dying for more. It’s wonderfully atmospheric, and I’m dying to learn more about the villages, the school and their powers.
My one complaint would be that all of the characters either have the presence of a dust mote or are grating on the nerves. If I don’t get attached to any of the characters, I can’t see myself really minding if the whole class kicks the bucket Another style or not.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
If it follows the Shiki path, it would be most glorious! I really do crave such shows which are just too few in the vast expanses of fandom. Not to mention, original material sometimes loses its luster in adaptation so I hope this is done right.
I agree about the characters. I haven’t been able to even relate with anyone except for Saki and even with her, it’s just the MC relation. I hope to find out more about the remaining four kids at least before they get exiled.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
For this show to reach Shiki’s path of greatness, the story has to be so amazing, so compelling that it provokes intense debates on morality and who you’re siding with while explaining the reason behind it. It simply has to be extraordinary. Here’s hoping it’ll get there.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Hopefully, we shall have all of the above! :3
POWUH: 500-599 with 543 comments
I’m very interested in this show. It’s a LN adaptation, and the book itself won an award. To me, that lets me relax on worrying about the plot, characters, ect. And reading that the director did well with visuals, I think that’s good to combine a visual-oriented director with great source material.
I’m not really liking the characters yet, but they aren’t as important to me as the plot. I don’t care that much about them, let’s say. I mean, I was the first to let go of Gai in Guilty Crown. I don’t care if these kids die, if they suffer, whatever, as long as the plot does what it needs to do.
This first episode was already pretty great. Of course, the song they started with reminded me of Mawaru Penguindrum because I think it had the same song blasting everyone’s ears out when Kanba was walking through the hospital with that ugly pink sweater. (Episode 14?) Great way to make me love an anime- relate back to the penguins. And the symphony you guys have mentioned is interesting, at least up to 10 minutes in.
We met the characters, we have a glimpse of their world, we learn that they are limited by ropes that keep out “fiends” and “demons.” I’m not really thinking it’s an actual demon, though. This is the year 301X. This entire premise of the city stranded seems like this terrible movie, The Village. Terrible movie.
A lot of the lighting and color choices are eerie and dark, contrasting with the light oranges and moe-style characters.
And we meet Saki. She’s obviously on the edge of failure, based on what we learn. Reiko seems to have been placed by the author to show Saki what will happen if she gets too close to failure: disappearance. And it provides a great way to scare the audience a little as well, considering it was placed right at the end of the episode.
Anyways, I can’t wait to keep watching this. I was a little worried by the “horror” genre, but I shall overcome my fears and see what shall come From the New World.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
It’s a novel adaptation and Kishi has own some awesome awards indeed: (Winner of 4th Japan Horror Novel Award, 58th Mystery Writers of Japan Award, 29th Japan Science Fiction Award & 1st Yamada Futaro Award).
I don’t feel much connection with the characters but I guess, as we know a bit more about them, we’ll feel a bit more connected. Though, I’m all good with plot progression myself.
You are right about Dvorak’s New World Symphony, which you heard in Mawaru and Shinsekai as I referenced in my review. It’s supposedly played in malls in some countries to signal that the store will be closing and they should ‘head home’, just like the kids do.
Village was indeed a terrible movie and I hope nothing like that happens here… >>; Seeing episode 2, the disappearances have already mounted and nobody is really playing much heed to this. And as akagami said, it’s not going to be hardcore horror rather an eerie supernatural series, which should be good! :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I liked the show a lot, and am excited to be blogging it this year. The atmosphere seemed about right for me (which might be not scary enough for a lot of you guys), but I liked the hinting at the kids wreaking havoc in a time analogous to current time. I do hope that the world isn’t *too* dystopian, because honestly, people are people, and they find and make hope wherever they are.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Aaah, so you too? Good luck with it! It has everything a blogger wants at least in terms of speculation. And hopefully, the ending would be something similar to kids finding hope at the most desolate times.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 338 comments
When I have a life again,
that doesn’t encompass reading British novelsand time for anime. I VOW to watch this #curseschoolPOWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Good luck with school girl and hopefully you’ll find some time soon enough! <3
POWUH: 600-699 and Wingman with 655 comments
On my midterm week but watched it anyways like a boss…. second thought, I should study. But yes the 2 new fall animes surprised me, Kaibutsu kun being so sweet and romantic (monster? i expected blood shed but well this is not bad at all) Shin Sekai, on the other hand, I expected it to be more subtle, but turned out to be psychotic mind squeezer with suspense and horror here and there. Pleasant surprises, and both animes make me want MOAR 😀
POWUH: 600-699 and Wingman with 655 comments
by the way the anime reminds me of kami sama dolls for some reason, probably the secluded village part i guess 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You are right about both. Went in expecting not much at all and got a good surprise.
And I think music triggered your Kamisama dolls senses because Shinsekai has incorporated Dvorak’s Symphony and at some parts, there’s a haunting chorus (like in the beginning credits of the episode).
Btw, best of luck for your mid-terms! Hope they went well. ^^
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
This show have the potential to be good. Although I’m quite confused over the flashback as well…. And did they just killed one character off??
And WTH is tht thing in the promo poster??
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Indeed, this has lots of potential. I think the flashbacks show us a bit of history on why the new Japan is so secluded and seems protected because people got powers and they misused it to no end. I think we’ll put all pieces together and figure this baby out.
You see that thing in episode two, a Bakenezumi. :3
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Hmm… look like EP4 will be our “answer” episode…. I think I can formulate a guess ady…
Is this series being blogged?? Just curious.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
It’s being blogged and hope you like all my speculations! :3
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Loved the comparisons to Shiki/Higurashi that you made, I’ve always loved the whole secretive/secluded town trope in the horror genre. As cheery as all the characters appear, there always seems to be some underlying feeling of terror and fear. I’m looking forward to when that facade of optimism is broken down and despair reeks havoc on the main characters, which seems like it will all start with the disappearance of Reiko. (Oh the suffering to be had, kukuku!)
Going off of what OC said about the class, I love that (like Another) the students are recognizable characters, not faceless/generic stand-ins that change from scene to scene. Even though they don’t exactly have speaking lines (at least not yet), they each have definable visual traits and potential to grow into important characters. I guess it’s not really a big deal, but I love little details like that and it gives me a chance to connect with the setting, and even possibly with the background characters whose fates don’t seem too bright. I see a lot of deaths in the future for some reason …
I’m incredibly excited for this new series after experiencing how commendable the storytelling and direction is. Which is where I also have to disagree with you somewhat Kyokai, I didn’t necessarily think there was a problem with the scenes being disjointed, for a first episode introducing us to this strange and ominous new setting it only feels right to leave a lot of inconclusive developments, both from a genre standpoint and from a viewers standpoint. Theorizing is half the fun of a series like this!
I WANT MORE !!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Hahaa, I like the way you think! :3 I really did like the whole setting and how everything connected except for characters (but even for this fact, episode two did a lot better). You are right, theorizing and speculating is definitely the most fun we have and this is an ideal series to do that. :3
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
from what i saw in the episode… it’s one of the most bizarre animes i’ve ever seen
and
it’s rther gloomy and it’s simple not atractive history wise… on the side note, the animation is great
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You haven’t watched a lot of horror or supernatural anime then? It’s definitely setting a new bar for itself. I can only hope it gets better with time. 🙂
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
I watched this at night. and I will continue doing so.
Animes like this should be watched at night.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Totally agree. I do the same, with headphones on. :3
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
This was on my list of shows to check out, and to be honest I wasn’t expecting much. Both this and K have really high production values, and K sort of disappointed me so far (I’ll see where it goes for a little more, but it’s kind of mostly flash and shiny things).
The first couple of minutes really turned me off, and I was going to drop it, but I figured since I have the first two episodes I’ll make my final decision after watching both. The second half was more interesting, so we’ll see how this goes. At least it has more substance than K, I’m still going wtf is this, and not in a good way.
@Gecko – I don’t think this is really horror, more supernatural. I don’t touch horror even with a 10 foot big stick.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
After watching the second episode I’m still on the fence. I like the beginning of the ED though.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I didn’t care for K at all. The style just didn’t mesh with me (Stuttery framerate on purpose? No thanks. Bishies swordfighting in the city? No thanks.)
Shinsekai Yori definitely had more of a ‘supernatural’ vibe (and not horror at all), which might actually be a great definition of the powers they exhibit. And I don’t know why, but I have no problem following along with the story, it just makes me want to know why things happened.
We’ll see what happens as it moves forward from here, tho.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@akagami, K is another dish altogether because well, too huge a star cast and we don’t know shit about plot. Though, with Shinsekai, the story seems solid in place, we just have to discover it properly. I suggest, you should stick around with this as I don’t think there’s going to be any blatant horror stuff like Shiki.
I’ll agree with Highway, I am too curious to leave things be here.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
This is exactly what I’m liking about SSY: we’re learning the story along with the characters. All this ‘adult world’ stuff that they’re finding out, we’re finding out too. They don’t know tons of things that we don’t know, a situation that always makes me feel like a show is playing games with me.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
The story premise does seem interesting, but the supernatural was starting to get to me… I can only handle small doses before I start to get creeped out.
Possible spoilers
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POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You are right Highway, I think I am more connecting to the series because we are finding out more along with the kids.
akagami, I’ve theorized in my recent review that the temple ceremony was more of hypnosis in letting kids believe that their juryoku potency has been curbed to a minimal level and it’s not ‘evil’ anymore.
The new species interest me as well. There are just too many not to take notice. What caused such a rapid burst of evolution? I want to know!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I cannot believe that I let three weeks slide by without commenting on this show.
The the point: It terrifies me. The intersection of child fears and adult fears; two paths that should remain parallel, is such a gut punch for an adult and parent.
I can tell you; parents spend hours of sleepless nights and unending days in worry over our issue. I sympathize with Saki’s mother in the first episode. I’ve been there with my own spawn. The ordeals these children must pass have very true verisimilitude with my own modern fears.
A-1 have really made the grade with this show. The juxtaposition of the “normal world” with the nightmares is delicious and sour at the same time.
I have to give special kudos to the ED. That break in rhythm is just there to seal the emotions of the entire show.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
How could you! >3>; It gets tiring sometimes but I do understand where they are coming from and know that they love me.
The juxtaposition of adults and children is definitely heightened; more so because of the creepy factor of Juryoku and so much folklore about species. I’m definitely enjoying whatever they have done so far.
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] two episodes of Shin Sekai Yori and wow, it has sure been keeping up with its creepiness since the first episode. Don’t expect blow by blow coverage from me for this, rather speculation and […]