During a fiercely hot summer in Sotoba, a peaceful and quiet village with a population of 1300 people, a series of bizarre deaths begin to occur. At the same time, a strange family moves into a long abandoned mansion in the region. Hospital dean Toshio Ozaki cannot figure out the cause of death in the deceased, initially suspecting an epidemic. As investigations continue between the hospital staff and the residents, it turns out that the village is being attacked by vampires.
Written by SolidEther on January 24, 2011 at 6:40 AM
Overall Rating
Excellent
Story: 5
Dialogue: 5
Animation: 4
Entertainment: 5
Shiki is one of those rare anime that has lure to it as soon as you begin to watch. At first you can't place your finger on it, but I waited to review it until I've watched those now uploaded to try and distingiush its draw to it's audience.
First the anime style is not the typical fair for a horror "suspense" anime. It is a more syilized light character motif. The character design is that of a Eureka Seven, Fairy Tail Hybrid.
The styling of the architechture and environment created for the small town this story is set in creates a perfectly rising apprehension while you watch, Even though you are not seeing anything scary yet it feels as though you feel what the characters of the story feel. SOmething is growing worse day by day.
Plauged by a rash of unexplained deaths, a small clinic doctor and his childhood friend a monk, and some clever youths start to unravel truths about almost daily deaths, unexplained happenings, lost jobs and evacuation. The story starts based in the metaphysical forensic science and medical examination to determine events.
After a slowly yet perfectly paced story that completely makes you load the next episode it unravels into a paranormal and bone chilling event that is impossible. However Shiki creates it so real that it makes the possibility of undead seem like it has been going on under our noses forever, even though it is an anime. It rivals many vampire tellings I have seen , and that being a favorite type of subject matter it holds weight.
THe characters all have thier own life, weight and distinct personalities and habits all thier own to portray a real community struggling to maintain a hold of thier lives in a seeminly impossible epidemic turned horror. YOu will feel thise one and it will suck you in as does the vampires gaze...view SHIKI. It will become a cult classic!
