Blair Loveday
Going into Hell’s Paradise I had no idea what to expect. Reading what was on the Bluray and the art on the case had me intrigued and I decided to try it out blind.
It turns out I was rewarded and got to enjoy the chaos as it unfolded in front of me.
The first scenes of the show start with a bunch of heads that had been removed from their owners. Then it goes into a description of the challenges of a good beheading. Dark as, but it gets crazier. We meet Gabimaru who they are trying to execute. The problem is that they can’t execute him. Blades break on his neck, fire doesn’t burn him, and so much more.
After some failed attempts at his execution, the executioner Sagiri has a chat with him. Despite Gabimaru suggesting he was wanting to die, she sees him trying to survive. She figures out he does want to live, and offers him a chance. A journey to a strange place looking for an elixir of life for their ruler would earn a pardon. The kicker, they aren’t the only ones. A bunch of criminals venture to this strange place each with an executioner in tow. Break the rules, and get executed. Get the elixir back, and get pardoned.
When they land on this place, they discover a nice forest with heaps of beautiful plants. It doesn’t take long to discover that this place is filled with creatures that are all but nice. There are creepy and dangerous giant bugs, and monsters that look somewhere between a titan from Attack on Titan and Buddhist gods.
The story does follow a lot of Gabimaru as he realises he wants to return to his wife, but also gives us an interesting story of Sagiri. She is an executioner who isn’t quite there yet. She still hesitates and needs to prove to herself she has what it needs. But there seems to be something else under the surface. Some of the other criminals are mindless baddies which is normal, but others have intriguing back stories and a little more depth.
I really don’t want to spoil more than this. The story is really interesting as we learn more about the characters, and the really interesting place they have ventured to. It dangles intrigue as the show progresses and it gets better as the show progresses.
The animation is nicely done, with some really striking art decisions. The intense violence and disturbing creatures are jarring in the beautiful and flower filled jungle around them. This combined with some excellent sound effects and voice acting makes it a cracking good show. There isn’t a heap of special features on the Bluray, so you are buying this if you want to watch the show, and you should.
It’s dark and twisted, beautiful, interesting and intriguing. The longer it goes, the darker and more twisted it gets. Man, I can’t wait for another season!
