Shikahime Akatsuka Review: A fascinating story and deep characters

"Shibahime Aka": A dark fantasy of death and revenge

"Shikabane Hime Akatsuki" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Yoshikazu Akahito, and aired from October 2 to December 25, 2008. The 13-episode series was animated by GAINAX and feel. and directed by Masahiko Murata. The story depicts the world of corpses that remain active even after death and the Shikabanehime who hunts them, and depicts the struggle and growth of girls who fight against corpses that have come back to life due to strong attachments and delusions.

story

A young boy, Hanagami Oori, was picked up by the Kogen sect monk Tagami Kageyo at a young age and raised in the child welfare facility, Tairinkan. One night, he meets a beautiful girl at Sekuji Temple, where Kageyo serves as the chief priest. The girl's name is Hoshimura Makina. She is a Corpse Princess who hunts corpses under Kageyo. Makina's family was killed by a horde of corpses, and she became a Corpse Princess in revenge. Through his encounter with her, Oori learns about the existence of corpses and Corpse Princesses, and he himself becomes involved in that world.

character

There are many unique characters in "Corpse Princess Akatsuki". The main character, Hanagami Oori, is an ordinary high school student who is drawn into the world of the Corpse Princesses. His older brother, Tagami Kageyo, is the head priest of Sekuji Temple and is also in charge of managing the Tairinkan. And the central character of the story, the Corpse Princess, Hoshimura Makina, has a strong desire for revenge, but gradually deepens her bond with Oori.

Other characters who appear include Amase Saki and Yamagami Igetsu, who fight as Shikahime, and the monks of the Kogen sect, and the story progresses as their intentions and backgrounds intertwine. In particular, Shikado Akasha, who appears as a renegade monk, is a character who holds the key to the story, and his past and actions add depth to the story.

Animation and performance

The animation of "Shikahime Aka" is a joint production between GAINAX and feel., and is characterized by its dark atmosphere and beautiful visuals. Director Masahiko Murata faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while incorporating expressions unique to anime to bring out its visual appeal. In particular, the battle scenes between the corpses and Shikahime are both powerful and beautiful, making them a sight to behold.

The character designs are by Chika Kubota and Kikuko Sadakata, and each character has a unique design. Yamato Kojima is in charge of the Shikabane design, expressing the horror and beauty of the corpses. The overall visual consistency, including the color design and art direction, enhances the appeal of the work.

music

The music for "Shikahime Aka" was composed by Norito Sumitomo, and features a heavy sound that matches the worldview of the dark fantasy. The opening theme "Beautiful Fighter" and the ending theme "My Story" are performed by Angela, and their powerful voice and melody enhance the atmosphere of the work. In addition, the ending theme "Aoi Sand of the Sleeping Star" is sung by Mayumi Iizuka, and the beautiful melody enhances the moving story.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Shikahime Aka" left a strong impression on viewers by depicting the battle between corpses and Shikahime within the dark fantasy genre. In particular, the growth of the characters and the changes in relationships are carefully depicted, adding depth to the story. The intensity of the battle scenes and the beauty of the visuals were also highly praised, and the series gained many fans.

However, some viewers felt that the story unfolded a little too quickly. Some felt that the series was packed with content from the original work in a short 13-episode broadcast period, and that the characters' backgrounds and episodes were not fully explored. Nevertheless, overall, it can be said that the series conveys the charm of the dark fantasy and the charm of the characters.

Related works and recommendations

"Shikahime Gen" was produced as a sequel to "Shikahime Kaku". "Shikahime Gen" has a deeper story and character growth, making it a must-see for fans of "Shikahime Kaku". There are also unaired episodes of "Shikahime Gen" and "Shikahime Puchitto", so you can enjoy the whole series.

If you enjoyed "Shikahime Akatsuki," we also recommend "Tokyo Ghoul" and "Death Note," which also have dark fantasy elements. These works also have themes of death and revenge, but also depict character growth and human relationships, and will resonate with fans of "Shikahime Akatsuki."

Conclusion

"Shikahime Akatsuki" is a dark fantasy that depicts the themes of death and revenge, and leaves a strong impression on viewers. The character growth, changes in human relationships, beautiful visuals, and powerful battle scenes are appealing, making it a must-see for fans of dark fantasy. Enjoying the entire series, including the sequel "Shikahime Kuro", will leave you with even deeper emotions.