Jigoku Shoujo

It is said that if someone seeks revenge, they should dig two graves—and this is especially true of those who use the Hell Correspondence website. At the stroke of midnight, this ominous web domain becomes accessible, and whoever inputs the name of their grudge will get a visit from Ai Enma, the Hell Girl. Ai explains that she will send the target's soul to hell, but the requester will also end up in hell when they die.

For some, that price is far too steep; for others, where they will spend their afterlife has no bearing on their current, day-to-day hell. But one thing is certain: the Hell Girl will always be available to those in need of revenge, while she stoically performs her duty of ferrying souls into the darkness.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Enma, Ai Main

Noto, Mamiko Japanese

Ichimoku, Ren Main

Matsukaze, Masaya Japanese

Hone Onna Main

Honda, Takako Japanese

Wanyuudou Main

Sugou, Takayuki Japanese

Shibata, Tsugumi Main

Mizuki, Nana Japanese

Shibata, Hajime Main

Ueda, Yuuji Japanese

Sakuragi, Kanako Supporting

Sawashiro, Miyuki Japanese

Shibuya, Minami Supporting

Ishige, Sawa Japanese

De L'Enfer, Gilles Supporting

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Clown Supporting

Kawamoto, Kunihiro Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Hayashida, Norihiro Producer

Abe, Ai Producer

Iijima, Kouji Producer

Reviews

Feb 22, 2007

Dragon_Empress

Recommended

Jigoku Shoujo takes place in modern Japan where the internet has filled the lives of many people in this bustling world of technology and sins. This anime portrays the cruelty of the human race, and shows that there are many people in this world that suffer terribly and that, indefinitely, most people wish those that are making their lives miserable would just die and go to hell. And, of course, Jigoku Shoujo, or Hell Girl, is there to exact their revenge.

The storyline is wonderful. The anime itself is mainly episodic, and each episode focuses mainly on one person, and the suffering they're experiencing due to ... one person. As you read more into the character's lives, and just how badly they're treated, you, yourself, will want to see that red string pulled, just so that person can suffer what he/she's had coming to them, and you'll be anxious to see their horrifying experience before they're ferried off to Hell by Enma Ai, the Jigoku Shoujo.

You won't always see the the person's experience in hell, nor will you always see the person being carried off by the Jigoku Shoujo. The main experience of this anime is coming to know and feel sorry for the characters that are desperate enough to call forth the Jigoku Shoujo to end their suffering. If you're looking for humor, this isn't a series to watch. Though it does have it's moments, it's more for the people that enjoy supernatural and paranormal related anime, such as Ghost Hunt and XXXHolic. In fact, if you enjoyed either of these, though the two of them are more humorous than anything else, I recommend putting Jigoku Shoujo, and Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori on your plan-to-watch list.

Anyway, this anime is one of those where you'll either love it or hate it. This is a series that got me hooked on the first episode, but if you aren't enjoying it by the third or fourth, then you most likely won't get into it. I hope this review has helped you and convinced you to look into this wonderful anime. Have fun and enjoy.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Jul 26, 2008

doge_senpai

Mixed Feelings

[Edit 2017: Full disclaimer - I have watched 15 episodes from start to finish, 1-10, 12, 23-26. The rest I either watched on x2 speeds or substituted with reading synopses. (MAL doesn't allow retroactive changes to episode count)]

It's like a badly chosen present. The outside wrapping is perfect, with a pretty ribbon to top it off. When you look inside though, the contents of the box aren't very impressive. You'll probably never use it or end up giving it to someone else.

These are the words I'd use to describe Jigoku Shoujo, a series strongly recommended to me by a friend. I was told the art ... was amazing, and it was. The story, however, is far from it.

The art and sound are what constitute as the wrapping paper. Every detail is immaculate, the character designs are vibrant, and every time Ai says "Want to try dying once?" it sends shivers down my spine. It deserves a warm hand of applause in that department.

However, where the animators succeeded, the writers failed spectacularly. It's not that the story is unappealing or lacks interest. There's plenty of that. Who wouldn't be intrigued about a girl sending evil wrong-doers to hell? The problem arises when each episode's format becomes obviously and unbearably identical. Upon watching the second episode, warning bells were sent ringing through my head when I realized that the mechanics were the same each time.

Basically: A person is abused or wronged by someone else who is unapologetic and is unable to see their own acts as unjustified. The victim seeks a solution and calls upon Ai for help. However, they hesitate when she reveals that they too would be dragged down into hell when they died. In the end though, the victims are driven to the point of desperation by their tormentors and give in. Jigoku shoujo then proceeds to carry out the revenge. Evil person is sent to hell. Former victim is emancipated, but each look at the scar that appears on their chest as a reminder of what will happen to them when they die.

There. Shoot me. I just spoiled at least 20 episodes for you.

This anime is episodic, but it's episodic to the extreme. Each episode presents a different set of characters and circumstances, but will almost always follow the storyline I presented above. So it wasn't until episode 22 that I saw a new type of plot as the season started to wind down to a close.

Needless to say, this sort of plot greatly disappointed me. I basically fell asleep on episode 4 and simply skipped 15 episodes. Now this is where I shoot myself in the foot. So, if I haven't watched the majority of the show, how can I really rate this as mediocre? ... True. I don't have complete authority on this matter, but it simply represents my opinion. I did end up taking the time to read the individual episode synopses on wikipedia, and it indicated that I didn't really miss much.

I realize there are those who will be completely enraptured by Jigoku Shoujo's plot. It's simply a matter of taste. I prefer a plot that progresses in great strides, while some love to watch a well formed plot system that simply changes its details while laughing sadistically at the misfortunes that befall the characters. But as always, it's up to you, the viewer, to choose.

I just hope I wasn't too forceful with my bitter commentary. o_o.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jul 27, 2012

primacy

Not Recommended

Funny

The most stupid I've ever watched. Basically, it's all about a damn insolent girl with her subordinates going around and scare people by creating hallucinations, trying to get them to concede their faults.
The whole series is awfully repetitive. And the arrogant appearance of that pathetic hell girl makes me sick. That pipsqueak acts so pretentiously as if she's absolute right to do anything to anyone as she pleases and to judge or set moral standards. She's blatantly domineering, and sadistic. None of these characteristics would turn me off so much without the combination with the arrogance and pretension.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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