Sick Product of a Sick System

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

The first must-see film of the year.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

This anime series is set in a world were creatures known as Youmu exist. They are the manifestation of negative emotions and while some are harmless others upset the natural balance; these are hunted by the Spirit World Warriors. The story's protagonist is high school student Akihito Kanbara who just happens to be an immortal half-youmu; luckily it is the human side that dominates his character. One day he saves youmu hunter Mirai Kuriyama and he ends up helping her hunting. She has an unusual way of fighting; she can create a sword out of her own blood! For the first part of the series things go well as they deal with a succession of youmu but then an event known as 'The Calm' occurs; this weakens youmu but also awakens Akihito's youmu side; the most powerful youmu: Beyond the Boundary. Things now get much darker as they struggle to save the world.This twelve part series was pretty good; early on it was enjoyably light hearted with quite a few laughs to be had but as it approaches its end the tone becomes much darker. The characters were good; each distinctive in their own way. My personal favourite was Mirai; her introduction feature quite a surprise and her method of fighting seemed rather original. The plot is fairly familiar as there are plenty of series that involve the heroes fighting supernatural beings; if you like that genre you will probably like this. The animation is good and darker in tone than most series as it employs a fairly subdued palette. Overall I'd say that while this isn't a classic it is worth watching if you are a fan of the genre.These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.