“Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku,” which we have previously covered here, citing media saying it was bound to be the “next big anime” according to Japanese TV programming executives before its release, was a tremendous success.
The first season aired from April to July 2023, so it’s now been around a year since it ended. Good news. A second season has been confirmed. But, to refresh you on what happened during Season 1, here’s our review of “Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku.” We haven’t done many reviews here on PVP Live, so you’re in for a treat.
Overview Of ‘Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku’
This anime is based on a manga written and illustrated by Yuji Kaku. Set in Japan’s Edo period, the time when the country was under the regime of the shogunate of Tokugawa, its story follows the white-haired ninja Gabimaru and the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri. Together, they look for the elixir of immortality.
Our Review
We won’t overwhelm you in this review in one wave. Rather, we’re dividing it into these sections: story, characters, visuals, and audio. Let’s begin.
Story
Like other materials, such as video games, the story is fundamental in animes. It’s what people are hooked on. The setting of “Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku” provides several opportunities to open many stories. While it happened during the Tokugawa period, its story was focused on the early 18th century. That said, it is a mix of history and fantasy.
The plot was well-written, following an organized structure. The first two episodes had a fast-paced story before slowing down eventually. Nevertheless, with several things happening in its different characters, viewers won’t really find the pacing too slow. Don’t miss the plot twist where Gabimaru loses his memories. It is a little bit cliché as you’ll find the occurrence of a character getting amnesia common in other TV dramas.
But, the fascinating mysteries and lore in “Jigokuraku” can cover up for that. The world-building was well done, precisely how many characters attempted to study the monsters and the religious symbols during their quests. The world-building also features a power system, which is also interesting.
When it comes to how it narrated its themes, it’s an applause for “Hell’s Paradise.” These themes include finding the truth, seeking real strength, balancing the mind and feelings, learning from others, and developing compassion. If there’s a downside to its story, it is only that backstories were explored briefly just before a character’s death.
Characters
Aside from the story, another thing that viewers are looking for in an anime is the set of characters. Without interesting characters, they really wouldn’t spend time tuning in the show. We hate to burst your bubble, but for us, the character concepts of “Jigoraku” lacked originality. Here are a few examples to prove this point:
- Nurugai was the last living member of an Emishi clan and massacred by the shogunate. Look at other shows set during this era, and you’ll understand why this is common.
- Shion is depicted as a blind teacher. This character is also typical.
- Gabimaru and Yuzuhira are ninjas. Looking at shows like “Naruto,” you can see why this isn’t original.
- Also, Yamada Asaemon Senta is a bookworm. His sweet-natured depiction made him more cliché.
- Yamada Asaemon Fuchi is a nerd and is depicted as creepy, which is the usual connotation of nerds in schools.
- Aza Chōbei’s character is also stereotypical.
In other words, the writers could have done better by improving the characters’ profiles. Moreover, the surviving characters in the anime only scratched the surface when it came to in-depth exploration from the fans. Viewers want more.
Nonetheless, even if we started the discussion on the anime’s characters quite harshly, it is interesting to note that they are all likable and relatable. Even if they’re stereotypical, it is still fun to know their stories.
Another thing that “Hell’s Paradise” did well was with its female characters. Unlike other animes, the ratio of male and female characters in “Jigoraku” is balanced.
Visuals
Okay. Even if an anime has a good story and the perfect set of characters, without fantastic visuals, viewers will move over to the next show. “Hell’s Paradise” doesn’t fail in this aspect. Its art and animation are high in quality, though this is not to say that the characters are super stylized. But still manageable.
The characters’ designs are colorful and unforgettable without getting overboard. Here are some examples:
- Yuzuhira’s eccentric fashion and purple-hued hair are a standout.
- Sagiri’s height and long black hair are beautiful.
- Gabimaru’s physicality is worth noting.
- The design of the antagonists is done very creatively.
- The creature designs were impressive, too.
Additionally, the shadows and lighting in this anime deserve mention, with some even looking cinematic. The lighting, not overwhelming. The color choices are also impressive, showing that the production team invested in hiring really talented visual creatives.
The facial expressions are also stunning. Not all animes succeed in presenting their shows in this level of detail. Plus, the action scenes are beautiful as well. We can’t think of any bad stuff about its visuals.
Music And Audio
Don’t shove this part away. Some anime viewers are particular about the music in such a way they’ll even find the songs and download them to their playlists. Right here, right now, we’ll say that the music of “Jigoraku” is beyond measure, from the opening song to the CBB song.
The voice acting is also very accurate to the profiles of the characters. No negative thoughts about the music and audio of “Hell’s Paradise” as well.
Fresh Details On Season 2
Don’t worry now, as Season 2 of “Hell’s Paradise” has been officially confirmed, though there is no information on its release date yet.
The story of the upcoming season can be guessed based on what happened during the first season, which took viewers through roughly half of the original manga’s story until the Lord Tensen Arc. The events of the subsequent chapters, from 60 to 126, are focused on the alliance of surviving criminals and executioners invading the palace of Hōrai to retrieve the elixir and escape from the island.
We can only speculate for now. Given the events in Season 1, the anime’s heroes will encounter more challenges. Expect more gory tableaux, shocking character moments, and, of course, beautiful visuals.
Support this review we did for “Hell’s Paradise: Jigoraku” Season 1 by sharing this online.
