***Anime information***
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 25
Episode length: 24:00
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Horror, Sci-fi, Supernatural
Viewers rating: 9/10
Opening: Yuki ni Saku Hana
Ending: 1.) Wareta Ringo
2.) Yuki ni Saku Hana
Plot: Following a sudden outbreak of psychokinesis in 0.1% of the population, a rapid transformation swept the world. The godlike ability to manipulate matter remotely turned many power wielders to violence, inciting a long period of upheaval. Finally, after a chaotic era shaped by the rise and fall of oppressive regimes, the psychic humans were able to achieve a fragile peace by isolating their society, creating a new world bound by complex rules.
In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children.
Shinsekai yori tells the unique coming-of-age story of Saki and her friends as they journey to grow into their roles in the supposed utopia. Accepting these roles, however, might not come easy when faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world.
***personal input***
Personal rating: 7/10
Opinion: With a little polish and some elbow grease, this anime could have been a masterpiece. A perfect score, a perfect anime. But, I wasn't able to gift it that, as there was too much that I didn't like or that didn't make sense. There was no room for a perfect score, but let's talk about that. Here's my opinion of Shinsekai Yori.
Firstly, our plot. The story for this series was actually really amazing. But it was also a hassle and sometimes stupid. But that's every anime right? Throughout the several arcs that the show had, I always felt compelled towards the story. With each new branch of the plot I found that I was always yearning to know what was to come. The show definitely kept me interested. I had a friend say that the lore of the show was top notch. He was right.
I find background information and lore to be crucial in a good story, and I think Shinsekai Yori might have some of the best I've ever seen. All the elements that made up the past were well constructed and possibly the entire reason that show was as good to me as it was. The background story might have been even more entertaining that the current story of the series. At least till the end.
However! The pacing of the show was utter garbage. Now, I say this in the sense of "time skips" the things we're all familiar with. This anime had a thing for time skips, and it didn't like to tell you when they happened. I found that a majority of the show they were unspoken of and silently played across the screen. It was also a issue to know just how far they skipped. Over time I realized it, but I think it's something to be said the moment it happens.
Towards the beginning of the anime, when all this lore was being introduced, it was momentarily difficult for me to piece the entire anime timeline together. I won't say they never explained it, but they certainly could have done it in a better and clearer way.
Now, I'm getting into my heavy issues with the story. I hated how the "fiend" was able to effortlessly killed off the most powerful psychic in the universe. And the way she did it was illogical! She used a theory that was momentarily introduced in the middle of the series. Not only was it theoretical and untested, but the was no way she could have learned about it since she was raised by queer rats.
I also hated how she was able to kill off an army of queer rats and receive no "Death feedback" however dies from "Death feedback" when she kills the single, best queer rat at the end of the series. It was logical she receive the feedback from killing the rats. It's just a stupid plot hole that she managed to kill an army of rats first.
Also, is it just me....WHY THE HELL DID EVERYONE SUDDENLY TURN GAY?! It was just there! One episode it was like "yeah, every kid in the village is gay. Deal with it!" To top it off, there was no reason or explanation for it! It happened without cause! I thought this was stupid, unnecessary, and ruined all my ships!
My two final issues are more minor ones. One: I was unhappy at how little effort the show put into the deaths of Maria and...that other kid that was really not important. Yeah, that kid. I heard that in the manga Squealer takes them in, kills them and takes their child. I liked that. It was a cool idea, and I'm upset they didn't put more effort into elaborating on their deaths in the anime. Second: I was upset at how lame the "tainted cats" were. Not only was there a really cool built up for them with an uninteresting finish. But I also wished the show had done more with them. It upset me how insignificant they became.
Moving on. Next is art style and animation. Well, the art style was really good. I liked the designs of the entire character cast and thought that everything besides "tainted cats" looked really good. The animation was also really good. The display of cantus and many other things played out beautifully in thee series.
Thirdly is music. While there was no opening, it didn't matter. This anime has the best ending I've ever heard. Nothing tops it. Nothing. That single song is all the series needs. However, I will admit that the OST tracks were well done and placed. With certain songs, I always knew when something was going to go down.
Finally, our character cast. When I filter out the ones I hated, and the ones that had no point or purpose, the anime had a great cast! There weren't that many that I disliked, and so I turned towards the good ones. I will say that the developments between everyone and with every character was really good. There was some great development, even more so with the queer rats. I really loved the relations and conflicts that sprouted between them. It was really great and they made for a really good antagonist in the last, war arc.
Finally, allow me to say that the anime is rather good. With some tinkering it could be so much better though. With the exception of time skips, not using certain elements to their fullest potential, and plot holes, the anime was outstanding. The anime really surprised me, and I think you all should give it at try.
Favorite character:
Kiroumaru
Akizuki Maria
Favorite part:
***Average***
Plot: 86
Ending: 99
Character's: 90
Art style: 90
Enjoyment: 87
Shinsekai Yori average: 90 (B level anime)