Aoi Bungaku Series

This anime was one mentioned in the Trash taste podcast, and I'm so glad I found it, it's one of those hidden gem type of anime. One of the craziest psychological anime I've ever watched. This anime so effortlessly brings out so many emotions out of you, really loved it.


Plot: 10/10

The anime is about a few short stories and the first one is the most famous out of them all. It's called No Longer Human, and it was written by Osamu Dazai, and it was the last novel he ever wrote, he commented suicided with his lover while the book was being published. It's semi-autobiographical. ... It's basically a really depressed, suicidal man's life. The title is called "No Longer Human" because Dazai doesn't consider himself a human anymore and thinks he's unfit for society.

I've seen way too many stories like this, but this one felt unique coz it in others the author makes you feel like "suicide is wrong", "everything will be better", stuff like that you get the point. But in No Longer Human you really get to see the perspective of a truly depressed man, who's completely oblivious to what he's doing. That's why I liked it so much, but it's only the first short story, there's still more which are just as good if not better. In fact, I thought the 3rd one the best out of them all. Well either way all of them are perfect.

Btw the 4th story is my favorite, it's a cinematic masterpiece. Really made me cry at the end.


Sound and music: 8/10

Well it was done by mad house, and you already know they don't miss. But this time I wouldn't say it was incredible, but it was still excellent, and it did fit the anime's style.

The voice acting is excellent, couldn't ask for anything better.


Animation: 7/10

Well it isn't an action anime but did have some of it at the end, and it definitely looked smooth. No complaints here.


Characters: 10/10

Just too perfect, those were all short stories but even then it made me feel a lot attached to the characters, especially the 3rd one had some good characters. You can really learn s lot from these characters and I mean real life lessons unlike the ones from shonen anime.


Overall: 10/10

Definitely watch it, such a shame it's so underrated.

Words are powerful, no doubt about that. Coveying it to another type of medium is not an easy thing. Especially if it's such a half-hearted attempt as the 2009 fall anime of Madhouse: Aoi Bungaku.

Adapting 5 of which can be considered masteroieces of Japan Literature into just 12 eps run time is so short. As a result, most of the time, each story just feel lackluste. What is supposed to be deep-meaning, well-thoughout and engaging are now just pretentious, confusing and comically bad.

And this anime is very academic, if you don't pay very close attention, you might miss the intention the author want to ... tranmiss through.

The best story for me is "Run, Melos". Yet it is such a simple story. That's why it works pretty well in this format. For other story, I'm afraid they're not good enough.

Encouraged by this all positive voices, I decided to check is it really worth to meet mentioned title. Aoi Bungaku, known also as Blue Literature caused in me wave of disgust than delight on epic masterpiece, which it is praised in every possible way. I’m not sure I watched exactly the same anime…So, it’s time to tell about concrets…

It might seem those 12 episodes escaped my memory but, unfortunately, mistake. First history called No Longer Human / Ningen Shikkaku, which was written by Dazai Osamu was literally zenith of everything. Some people search in it biographical conditions, but if that so, author must had ,,interesting” ... life. Peculiar visions, schizophrenic tendency – yes, it difficult to be bored. Finishing this arc, I really haven’t known what creators have on theirs mind. After turbulent was about ¾ anime to the end…

Second - Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita – or In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom says about some woman and rogue who lived in the mountains, it takes place a few centuries ago. If I’m right, it something doesn’t right, does it? What is in this era do all the technical innovations, known only our generations. We should write history textbooks another time. What’s more, that woman was really…scary. She tricked her lover – love is blind, whatever. Only positive? They keep a hog which can speak. Since then I want to a have hog as a pet too.~

Together, there are a six stories, but what’s up with the rest? You must see on your own. If, despite its flaws won your hearts, it’s still right. In my opinion it bring only disappoint. This, many facepalms and full of curses hurled at the characters? Highly individual matter.
Very confused, Aya.