Could MAPPA chill for like, one season? Seriously, those poor animators need a break.
Hell’s Paradise was a wild ride. Gruesome horror, violent action, complex characters, and twists at every turn. Was it always perfect? Not quite. But it was definitely a surprise!
After attempting to flee his village, deadly assassin Gabimaru has been put on death row. However, his executioner, Sagiri, has an offer for him: to travel to Shinsenkyo to find the Elixir of Life. But on an island where the laws of physics themselves are subject to change, and their only company are violent killers, do our pair of murderers have any hope to succeed?
Right off the bat, this story proves that it isn’t ever going to go the way you think. It sets up plenty of things, then takes you by surprise and suddenly changes everything. Just on episode three, a massive chunk of the cast gets butchered! You really can’t tell what’s gonna happen next!
However, this method of storytelling is a double-edged sword. While it is certainly surprising, it isn’t always satisfying. It feels kinda cheap when a character that’s had a ton of setup for potential development is unceremoniously murdered right at the start.
Speaking of characters: they’re pretty good. Gabimaru makes for a pretty good protagonist; I’m a sucker for the stone-cold badass who wants to give up violence, and he is certainly that. Sagiri’s emotional conflict with her role as an executioner is decently compelling. Then all the others are just complex and varied enough to keep you guessing. The cast is definitely one of the strongest aspects of the show.
Including Yuzuriha, who has the power of… pornography.
It should go without saying that this show is gorgeous. MAPPA once again knocks it out of the park, giving us a show with some gruesome gore, thrilling action, and beautiful environments. There are some legitimately jaw-dropping sequences sprinkled throughout this show!
For me, the best part comes from the horror. Seeing a man being devoured by flowers from the inside out is genuinely disturbing. Not to mention the monsters! This show’s got some Berserk level creepy shit in it!
As for the music… meh. Like, it’s fine. But it isn’t especially memorable. It does its job, but you won’t be humming it in the shower.
Hell’s Paradise is pretty good. It’s got sick action, great visuals, and pretty decent characters. The twists don’t always help it, but they do a great job of keeping you on your toes as you watch. If you’re looking for a rollercoaster of a show, this is a solid pick.
Just… make sure you’re not watching it with your parents. Or your spouse. Or your children. Yuzuriha can’t be trusted in such company.
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