Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku is a visually stunning horror anime with an incredible story full of complex characters. Streaming on Crunchyroll, this anime currently has one season and 13 episodes. We have compiled a list of five reasons why you should watch Hell’s Paradise.
Hell's Paradise
Hell’s Paradise is a dark horror story that takes place in Edo era Japan. Based on the 2018 manga of the same name by Yuji Kaku and published by Viz Media, the story follows Gabimaru the Hollow and executioner, or Asaemon, Yamada. Gabimaru is a criminal who has been sentenced to death, unless he can find the legendary “Elixir of Life” on a far-off island. However, this island the criminals are sent to in order to search for this elixir is not at all what they expected. The task seems to be far more difficult than anyone would have expected. Here are five reasons you need to watch this anime.
5. Hell's Paradise Original Soundtrack
The OST for Hell’s Paradise was composed by Yoshiaki Dewa. Yoshiaki is also known for composing the soundtrack for Call of the Night. An epic, heart-wrenching soundtrack draws the audiences into an already captivating story. Also, both the opening and the closing songs for Hell’s Paradise are incredible. The opening is titled “WORK” and is performed by Sheena Ringo and Millennium Parade. Opening songs set the stage for the anime itself, and “WORK” does a wonderful job doing just that. The closing song, “Kamihitoe (A Fine Line),” is performed by singer-songwriter Uru. The slower-paced ending music gives the audience an opportunity to to think on the wild events that took place in the episode.
4. Stunning Animation
MAPPA is the animation studio for Hell’s Paradise. MAPPA is known for its outstanding visuals in every anime they create. Some well-known anime that have been animated by MAPPA include Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuri On Ice!!, Chainsaw Man, and so much more.
Hell’s Paradise is no exception. MAPPA’s animation of Hell’s Paradise is gorgeous, especially for a show that has incredibly dark themes. The anime is a unique experience with both beautiful and terrifying visuals.
3. Character Design
Yuji Kaku’s character designs are so different from other series, in the best ways. When you watch Hell’s Paradise, there is an instant connection with the protagonists.
Each of the main characters are both relatable and believable. The series centers around criminals and their respective executioners, but their labels do not make them any less relatable. They all feel that they have something to prove, aside from wanting a pardon from their impending death sentence. Going into the story, each character is severely flawed and believes they are meant to live with those flaws. However, as the series progresses, there is a shift in their mentality that creates believable character growth.
The Asaemon are all in the same uniform, but each one has their own personality and physical flair that sets them apart from each other. Each Asaemon has their own reasons for joining the clan, from being born into it to having a desire to prove themselves worthy of life in their village.
Also, the antagonists of Hell’s Paradise are nothing like stereotypical villains. The Tensen are beautiful humanoid-beings that consider themselves to be gods on the island. As they seek to draw humans in with their charms, their beauty and grace do the same for viewers. The seemingly flawless Tensen shift into horrifying yet gorgeously-designed creatures during intense fight scenes.
2. Riveting Storytelling
The storytelling is one of the greatest reasons to watch Hell’s Paradise. It keeps the viewers guessing and interested throughout the entire series. Each episode adds more context to the story and builds upon what audiences have already learned. While it may seem a little convoluted at first, the story unfolds in a way that leaves its viewers desiring to know more.
This series falls into the horror genre. However, the story is captivating enough to hold the attention of someone who may not necessarily enjoy horror. Minor characters receive backstories that are cleverly woven into the main storyline. The order in which they are told can feel a bit confusing, but once the dots are connected, the story begins to feel completely connected. Every detail is important to the bigger picture throughout the series.
1. Well-Written Characters and Development
The number one reason to watch Hell’s Paradise is because the series gives depth to every character introduced. Not only do we get a deep dive into the backgrounds of the main characters, but we also get to understand the motives of the side characters.
Modern anime has gotten better at writing well-rounded female characters, but it can still be difficult to find shows with great female leads. At the bare minimum, shows should pass the Bechdel test, which is when two female characters talk to each other about something other than a man or romantic interest. Hell’s Paradise does a fantastic job writing its female characters. Yuzuriha, for instance, is a sexy female character who is extremely confident in her abilities and can also handle her own in a fight. Yamada is a great example of a female lead who has incredible character development.
Throughout the series, most of the characters learn that emotions and feelings do not make a person weak. Gabimaru was called “The Hollow,” and he felt that he needed to live up to that name. However, he is reminded by both flashback memories of his wife and comments from his Asaemon Yamada that he is more than just his reputation. Also, Yamada finds herself trying to be strong in order to prove herself as a woman in a man’s world. She, too, learns that her emotions make her a much better Asaemon in the end.
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