Nov 2, 2017
Shiki: An elegy of humanity and innocence lost
In the ever-expanding anime industry, finding your own fix has become somewhat tricky; for quite a while now it hasn't been just anime, but slews of action anime, drama anime, romance anime- you name it. But every now and then, you come across genre-defying series which don't try to fit the bill, but make a point of their own. One such rare treat is Shiki.
Yes, it's regarding vampires. No, there's not much cliched cringiness. Now that we've cleared that up, let's get to the plot. The plot itself takes a while to wind up, so it is more
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than a bit slow-paced in its first half as you get to know the characters and their ways of thinking, which may seem rather bland and forced at first, but it happens for a reason, as you'll see later on. This is the main Achilles' heel of the series. The story is set in a peaceful, remote village with a tightly-knit community locked in a serene, yet somewhat boring everyday, and introducing viewers to it can be just as monotonous with the story alternating between specific characters' circumstances and the 'main' storyline. Mind you, it did pay off in the end, but that might not be enough of an excuse for everyone.
The cast is quite diverse, with plenty of supporting characters switching in and out of focus. Gradually, they are presented with a threat which endangers not only their lives and those of their fellow townsmen, but their whole established way of thinking and morality as well. Both a doctor's cold rationale and a monk's conflicting spiritual approach to the problem struggle to come to terms with the shiki, what they truly are and how to react to them. All of this spirals towards a very memorable, climactic finale, which will leave you completely dumbstruck, even if though you see it inevitably coming. Promise.
As for the overall thematic, anime such as Shiki are somewhat an acquired taste- if you enjoy thought-provoking stories and don't have a problem with taking the time to think through everything going on, then Shiki is absolutely worth your time. Saying it's a vampire horror story about good and evil does it no justice- think of it rather as a perfect medium to get you thinking. It tackles serious questions such as what is human and what is inhuman? How far can one go against his true nature? Should one be judged according to what they *have to* do instinctively, or what they *try* to do and strive to be? As the town itself becomes inevitably polarized, you will be invited to "pick sides" along. Ordinary humans are forced to become demons in more ways than one, but even so may strive to retain their humanity, as both the best and the worst in them seems to transcend death. Demonic humans or humane demons-it's up to you to decide- the show itself forces no opinions either way.
Dark visual style with heavy use of contrast, especially at night, and its twisted, bizzare characters work together beautifully to create an eerie atmosphere which increases in intesity as the show progresses. At times, the character design does seem overdone to an extent, the textbook example of this are the infamous rigid hairstyles.
Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack which perfectly complements the atmosphere from creepy ambience to melancholic overtones. I probably pay attention to soundtracks in anime more than the average viewer, so this was a very pleasant surprise. Haunting tracks such as Eau de Vie and Day and Night are beautifully done and well placed, adding to the emotional weight.
It's probably safe to say that Shiki is one of those series which are only as good as how much thought you put in them, so if you'd like a fast-paced story to go with popcorn for the evening, you will probably be disappointed. It's not about vampires, it's not about stakes and coffins, and it's not about colorful characters either- it's about how their stories come together and what *you* think about it all. With that in mind, Shiki easily finds a place among the best anime series I've seen.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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