With the release of the much anticipated novel-adapted series, Shiki, I couldn’t resist myself to write a short review after watching the very first episode.

Slideshows

Since much of the synopsis are covered extensively by other blogs, I’ll jump to my point directly. The primary focus will be on the review and how I feel ’bout this series as a whole.

Immediately a similarly themed series, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni came to my mind. Indeed these two series share many notable features together.

Both are set in rural towns. So one flag’s upped for -settings- Agricultural-based, old village folks, isolation from the outside world… no doubt a cliche setting for a horror themed anime. However in Higurashi, Hinamizawa is not as isolated as Satoba (Shiki universe). Hinamizawa (Higurashi universe) is in fact linked to a nearby town (forgot the name already ><) where Keichi and his harem hang out at throughout the series. For Satoba, I believe the only entrance to this isolated backwater ‘realm’ is via a road forked from the main highway. The Kirishikis stops by a roadside restaurant to ask for direction in the middle of the night. Also Natsuno stares down the road (the presumably the one and only route to Sataba), yearning to leave the rural village off to the big city.

Judging from the fashion and lack of technological gadgets in the series, I deduce that the events take place somewhere in the 80′s (similar to Higurashi). No cellphones, no Twitter. A perfect setting for horror to brew silently.

Natsuno Yuki would be one of the protagonists of the series, together with the kind doctor, Toshio Ozaki. Natsuno Yuki, being originally from the city, finds it obnoxious to stay in this desolate town — a feeling equally shared by his secret admirer, Shimizu Megumi.

The visuals though… Yu-gi-oh? We will get used to it. People said the same thing  too when Higurashi first aired.

One thing worth noting is that the villains (the baddies) are seemingly exposed to the audience on the  first episode. It’s like saying ‘Heck, I am the bad guys of this series and I will suck your blood dry! Urggh…’ at the very beginning. By now, you should know that the Kirishiki family will most probably be the ones responsible for [censored for spoilers]. Well, who else could have been more suspicious for the bizarre string of events ?

With all  the settings in place, now the drama will be set into motion.  Zombies, Vampires, Occult… whatnot await us.

This series may be worth watching for a starter. So far it looks promising. Eager to watch episode 2! Definitely one of the best series in the season.

The dog gone mad after witnessing the horrid gore scene. <parody>

For 720p download by Commie Subs (~350MB)

( Torrent ) http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=torrentinfo&tid=143042

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Opening: Sounds 90′s.  5/10

Ending: Nice. 7.5/10

Characters: 7/10

Plot: Eerie. 8/10

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