A lot of building up was done in this episode, but it still had an excellent atmosphere. And I must say, for a studio like Daume, the art has really turned out to be quite beautiful here. The shots that use CG or strange filters are really well composed here. Character-designs like these are definitely a risk that was taken here, but it works out quite well.
The drama in this episode was a bit less due to the inclusion of some random emo teenager (or at least, that’s what he looked like). At this point, this guy is still a bit too extreme to be taken seriously, but I wonder what his purpose will be for the rest of the series. In any case this episode did a pretty good job of showing a bit of the every day lives of these people, and how they met each other, and I can very much see an extreme character like him pay off in the end. I can see that the creators were going for a bratty teenager here, so I’ll wait to see them show different sides of this kid.
Especially Natsuno showed a bit of a different side of him here. He was indifferent here, but now that he wasn’t bothered by some teen-aged girl here, he didn’t have this air of annoyance around him. His new friend also helped here, I guess.
This episode also was very much hinting at which characters we should watch out for. We finally get a good look at the owners of the castle, along what is possibly their daughter. The latter is so obviously featured in the OP and ED that she has to play a huge role here, and this episode pretty much set her up as a future antagonist. Also, the cat dude also seems to hold some secrets.
In any case, I love how the creators have been trying to include as many inhabitants of the village as possible, while giving EVERYONE distinct character-designs. Even all of the minor characters look unique, and are portrayed as people, rather than cardboard cut-outs (aside from a few old people in those rumour-scenes, I guess).
Rating: * (Good)
The “strange emo teenager” is not emo. He is just, well….defective, as hinted by his talking style, facial shape and actions.
Also at the atmosphere building, if they follow the manga, next episodes will certainly be brilliant, IF the animators do not ruin the art style.
The main problem I have with this series is the adaptation of art style.
Let’s just look at this episode. The final scene. And then compare to the same scene in manga. Its quite clear that a lot of details that make that scene work are gone, with animators just throwing a shadow on half of his face and be done with. The “eye lighting up” also pretty much destroys the atmosphere of the scene as it was supposed to be “instant” and “unexpected” moment. Sadly its not the first time such scenes get treated in such way in this anime – they cheapened the wolf-guy introduction(the whole driving in negative colors) scene in the same way, by converting it from “instant” scare to something slower and not as effective.
The eyes lighting up is pretty important too because it looks like a full moon. DD:
I think Shiki’s really one of those shows that would do better in black and white like the manga, but right now, I’m still enjoying it greatly.
What I find funny is that due to the colouring Sunako looks almost like a clone of Rika/Bernkastel…
Intention or just something with my eyes?
shiki is starting to look more promising episode after episode, the diversity in the characters of the village keeps every scene fresh and the whole atmosphere of the village is immersive. Shiki is the only series i’m faithfully following, it will be a satisfying series indeed. i wonder whos going to die next…..
Unknown Voice,
Keep in mind that the manga for Shiki is also an adaptation of the novel series by Fuyumi Ono, so the anime is not directly following the manga.
emo kid got owned so hard
has anyone NOT figured out what the “disease” is yet?
Is it Vampires or something?
Indeed could be vampires. I think i heard somewhere before that you must invite vampires into your home because unless they can’t enter. Also the last Victim had bite marks on her arm.
If I remember correctly Nao invited them to visit her home, as did Mutou. Mutou extended the invitation to cover a “friend” as well.
My big concern about this series is that it could degenerate into a generic vampire story. I hope there is more of a twist to it. Plus all the guys are drawn horribly, the girls look nice though