Shiki 1

She's just a small town girl, living in a lonely world…

Domo minnasan~, another addition to authors at Sekijitsu, you see. Some of you might know me and for those who don’t, I started anime blogging early this year at Metanorn. How I ended up here then, you would ask? Well, this is what happens when you hang out with a crowd a lot and I can assure you the SJ gang is the friendliest bunch out there, even when some are stalkerish, taking lesson from Usui! Fufuu~ For starters, I’ll be reviewing Shiki here and will most probably expand towards updates on music, editorials, etc. So, Yoroshiku Onegaeshimasu~! ^^;

When you look me in the eyes…

Genres: Horror, Supernatural

Themes: Summer in a Small Town, Unexplained Deaths

Number of episodes: 22

「 Shiki 1 – “First Blood” (第遺血話)」If I have to summarize Shiki in few words, I’d call it ethereal and atmospheric. This is such an anime that needs a specific mood to watch and if you are a supernatural/horror fan like me, it will sucks you right in with its haunting music, scenic environment and unique character designs. The story seems quite ordinary at first with a small town setting and Megumi Shimizu, the normal teen protagonist who just wants to look beautiful and noticed by her school’s heartthrob (Yuuki). The brilliant OP Kuchizuke (くちづけ) by Buck-Tick, sets the mood for what to expect. So, there’s no prince-charming-rescue for Megumi as in a typical shoujo. Also, hold your food in because many gruesome scenes follow (hint: dead and decomposing bodies with extra-baggage… orz).

Alienated Moe.... Tsk.

Now, understand the plight of a fashionable moe-girl, who is not only frustrated with the small town setting but alienated due to her high dreams of jetting out and be recognized for her talent. The limitedness causes her to fantasize about living in the distant European-style house with Yuuki, who doesn’t even acknowledge her presence. On the other hand, unexplained and strange deaths are occurring around them; town Monk and Physician both are nonplussed with the bizarre developments. Also, new owners (Kirishiki family) of mansion in Kanemasa arrive in the dead of the night; not to mention they even bothered the roadside restaurant owner for directions (things would have been different if it had been Maria). For the common folk, these events are sensational to the degree that they have to be shared over dinner, at home or during errands, while meeting each other. Simply put, town gossip spreads like wildfire.

I miss Maria’s sadism here… xD

Events take a twisted turn when one day, completely dejected Megumi makes her way to the fairy tale mansion, only to be dazed into submission by the owners. She is found later in a trance-like state by the townspeople in the forest, totally anemic and drawn. I was amazed that the chief physician didn’t catch the reason of blood loss and in one day, which can’t be caused by few insect bites and dehydration. Sadly, Megumi passes away in three days to the shock of everyone.

Major Shiki Characters

Characters Roundup: Lots of new seiyuus are in the mix but it’s to be expected as the studio (Daume) is fairly new:

• Yuuki Natsuno – the brooding tenth grader, who has recently shifted from city (Voiced by Kouki Uchiyama, a rather new seiyuu, only apprised two other roles in Soul Eater and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn)
• Megumi Shimizu – the fashionable girl who dies very young, was classmate and stalker of Yuuki (Voiced by Haruka Tomatsu, have done a lot of moe characters and pretty much suited this character)
• Seishin Muroi – Vice Chief Monk at the Temple of Satoba (Voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu, another small timer who is coming up)
• Toshio Ozaki – Director of Ozaki Clinic (Voiced by Tuuro Ookawa, finally an experienced seiyuu, Roy Mustang from first FMA)
• Kaori Tanaka – Megumi’s ninth grader kōhai (Voiced by Haruka Nagashima – debuting seiyuu)
• Akira Tanaka – Brother of Kaori, has strange wolf ears and studies in seventh grade (Voiced by Keiko Kawakami – debuting seiyuu)
• Kanami Yano – Roadside Restaurant Chigusa’s owner (Seiyuu unknown)
• Tae Yano – Mother of Kanami (Seiyuu unknown)
• Tatsumi – Servant to the Kirishikis (Voiced by Wataru Takagi – I knew this one off the bat, annoying Tobi-voice from Naruto Shippūden)
• Seishiro Kirishiki – Head of the Kirishiki house atop the hill (Voiced by Gackt – this rockers doesn’t need any introduction)
• Chizuru Kirishiki – Wife of Seishiro possessing medusa-like hair (Seiyuu unknown)
• Sunako Kirishiki – the only daughter of the Kirishikis who has some sort of illness (Voiced by Aoi Yuuki, Shinra’s younger version from Drrr!)

Shiki literally translates to “Demon Corpse” and is based on a horror novel by Fuyumi Ono. I don’t know if the summaries or translations are available or not but I have no intentions of spoiling myself. I’ve only read the title’s summary so, whatever I speculate is based on sheer personal perception alone. I can understand this is not everyone’s cup of tea/coffee/coke, etc. Some people would compare it with Higurashi, while some would call the weird hair-like ears on Tatsumi and Akira horns from Elfen Lied. For a first episode, I gave it the benefit of doubt and saw it with an open mind without any comparison. I was highly impressed by the background music and the way scenes flew one after another. If you can’t miss Megumi’s continuous Ah MOO~ and screams of Dai Kirayi! you also don’t miss the haunting hum and cicadas providing a layer of noise that makes every scene glint with a life of its own. Also, there’s definitely something about the characters’ eyes that have a special rim about them and their features are not specifically beautiful yet very innovative with triangular strokes.

There's something about the eyes...

How small towns go, Satoba seems to be an agricultural town with simple-minded citizens, keeping to themselves. I have to empathize with Megumi for being young and stuck at such a place, yet her moe-ism somewhat annoyed me. Yuuki’s broodiness caused a lot of eye-rolling and being the main lead, I expect a lot more from him in the coming episodes rather than posing as the angry-young-man.  I’m highly interested in the Kirishiki (yes, I did it again!) family, not only because Gackt voiced Seishiro but being the head of the depressing mansion with a Medusa for a wife (yes, because of the hair but not too literally), and an ill-daughter, he must have some special clout. With the condition of the corpses and how Megumi died, vampires come to mind. Also, there’s a hint of wolf involvement too (ears on Tatsumi and hint towards wild beats). All hands point to the Kirishikis not only because they seem to be in the middle of things but that grainy flashback from Megumi of Chizuru putting the royal moves on her almost proves their involvement. Of course, demon corpses have to come into the equation and Yuuki too and I have a feeling, there are chances of Megumi’s return in spirit/demon corpse form to haunt him. I’ll definitely be looking forward to know more about this twisted tale next week.

All in all, a good first installment to set the mood. I don’t expect a lot of development to happen per episode as there is around 22 in total so things would slowly unfurl as good horror shows go. This is going to be another big project for me after Drrr! and I hope my enthusiasm remains till the end. So, till next time, Ja ne~

OP:「Kuchizuke」by Buck-Tick                ED:「Walk no Yakusoku」by nangi

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