It’s dark anime time! In the words of the late Leonard Cohen, you want it darker.
So here are some of my favorite dark anime series/movies. Post yours, and tell us about them.
In no particular order:
Hell Girl. As punishment for her crimes (revealing what would be too much of a spoiler), young Ai is denied the luxury of death. Instead she must live on bringing vengeance for those who log onto her website at midnight and type in the name of the victim. She will send your tormentor to hell. The price for her services is that you also must go to hell. The original series had three seasons, of which season 2 was the darkest and the best. Recently a fourth season was released, but I haven’t seen that one yet.
Boggiepop Phantom. The drab color scheme fits this tale of mental anguish. There are several story-lines, all seem to revolve around an urban legend. The series requires several watchings as the episodes are not in chronological order. Even the scenes within episodes are not in chronological order. But that is part of the charm.
Death Note. A bored Shinigami let’s high school genius Light Yagami use his notebook to kill criminals. Soon the world’s foremost detective is on Light’s trail and a battle of wits ensues. Do good guys always win? Watch.
Monster. This is one long series, but it is well worth your time to watch every second. Japanese born doctor Kenzou Tenma is framed for murders committed by a former patient named Johan. Tenma travels through the underbelly of Europe, uncovering one secret after another, trying to track down Johan before he kills again. And Johan does – or manipulates others to do his dirty work.
Perfect Blue. This is my choice for a Halloween anime. It’s directed by the late Satoshi Kon, director of Tokyo Godfathers and Paranoia Agent. He left this world way too soon. Now about the movie, Mima is a member of a three-girl J-pop singing group, with a streaky clean reputation. But that image is due for a change, as Mima leaves her singing career to become an actress. Only someone is not so happy with the change. Who is it? Is it Mima herself? Bodies fall, and Mima says sayonara to her sanity.
Paranoia Agent. Did someone mention Paranoia Agent? Well, it does have one darkly funny episode. But the rest of the series is just dark. Some kid is going around town whacking people on the head with a twisted metal baseball bat. A shy, quiet designer seems to be in the center of it all. Prepare to meet some pretty disturbed people.
B: The Beginning. Someone is killing off criminal low lifes, and a lone wolf cop joins a specialized investigative force to find out who. We find out who early on, but nothing is as it seems.
Lain aka Serial Experiments Lain. You know that girl from the 9th grade who seemed to be behind the rest of the class intellectually, socially, and maturity? That’s Lain. But who is Lain really? She grows up fast when she finds herself in the middle of a plot which could change or eliminate her existence.
Ajin: Demi-Human. Mr. Sato has got to be the nicest mass murder you would ever want to meet. And you can’t kill him because he is immortal. So is schoolboy Kai who gets on Sato’s wrong side when he refuses to join the revolution.
Your turn.
Bookmarks