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silverthunder) wrote2008-04-30 12:20 pm
silverthunder) wrote2008-04-30 12:20 pm
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Ghost Hunt
Well, I just made an 'Anime Reviews' section in my Memories, so I decided I'd do yet another review that I've been meaning to for a while.
Ghost Hunt managed to exceed my expectations, which is saying a lot because I'm a big fan of mysteries, particularly supernatural mysteries. I randomly picked this series out from a search page on myanimelist.net because I thought it looked interesting. Then I found out it was based on a series of novels written by the person who created "The Twelve Kingdoms". Given that that show is on my top five anime list, I had to give this one a watch.
This anime is actually a collection of case files taken on by Shibuya Psychic Research, which is an organization founded by 17-year-old Kazuya Shibuya. The main character, Mai, is conned into working for him (and yes, she actually was conned, as you discover later in the series) and nicknames him 'Naru-chan' - short for narcissistic, because he seems convinced that the sun rises and sets on his ass. Not in a comedic way, but in a dry, almost emotionless sort of way which makes it all the more interesting. Naru is extremely intelligent and very good-looking, which means the fact that he has such a high opinion of himself is fully justified (frustrating, isn't it?). His attitude kind of sucks (he's pretty cold), but you learn to like him anyway.
Like I mentioned above, the anime is split into various case files. Some of them last for more episodes than others. The first is three episodes long, and is mainly dedicated to introducing the various characters and the various methods of exorcism / ghost hunting. Naru's psychic research organization (which all of two people belong to including Naru himself) uses high-tech equipment and Naru's own formidable knowledge base and deducting skills.
You are also introduced to a buddhist monk who is a bass musician as well, a miko who was not actually raised on a shrine, a Catholic priest from Australia with a strong Kansai accent, and a famous japanese psychic who can channel spirits. The story in the episodes was not that compelling a ghost tale, but it did give you an idea what the dynamics between the cast will be like, which seemed pretty good.
The second case is better, lasting three episodes as well but having more time to devote to the actual paranormal activity going on, which is what I really wanted to see. This is where we see the creepiness of the series starting to sink in. You really want to move quickly through the episodes, as the mystery unravels itself.
The third case is, in my opinion, not as good, but it was still pretty creepy. While the events of the second case were the result of a spirit, the events in this case were caused by a person consciously calculating out each incident. I prefer the former, but the latter works well too. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. The things that happen in this case up the level of creepiness, though.
A single-episode case follows - a really silly one, which I guess had to happen. It's a bit of a cute one, so I wouldn't skip it, but it's pretty meh when compared with the rest of the series.
The next is a two-episode case and a bit of a Christmas arc. Still a good story and you still wonder what happened, but definitely not on the level of the others. I still recommend watching it, but don't expect a heck of a lot.
And then we get back to the creepiness, and it's upped yet again! Without wanting to give away too much, I'd say this one was a mixture of human and spirit cause. Its origins were with a human consciousness, but it escalated on its own. Certainly this arc's danger level went up a notch and it was more fun to watch unfold. But it paled in comparison with...
The seventh case, and I would say my favorite, is without a doubt the freakiest of the arcs in this anime. I had trouble falling asleep after watching this, and yet I still watch it over again (masochist much?). I adore the way this story unfolds, wrapped in very real danger and extreme creepiness. Absolutely no human causes. All supernatural. And this is no ordinary ghost. Man. I can't say enough about this arc. It's called 'Bloodsoaked Labyrinth'. And it's GOOD. Whew!
Oddly enough, the eighth case goes down a level. A little disappointing, but it was still pretty good and decently creepy. Worthy of a rewatch or two. Or three. Heh. No human cause here - not really, anyway. And yet, it's not a spirit either. I give it points for miko coolness, which was nowhere in any of the previous episodes, because the miko tends to be a running gag of incompetence. Don't spoil yourself, though. Watch the series from start to finish. You won't regret it.
Through the whole series, the characters develop varying relationships with each other. Their interactions are interesting and believable. If I didn't read spoilers, I'd still be wondering what was up with the Naru who appears in Mai's dreams. Not saying a word, because there might be a second season, and how would I feel if I spoiled someone who didn't want to read ahead?
I recommend this series for anyone who likes ghost stories, mysteries, and good anime with fun characters. It was a really good show. I'm hoping like hell for a second season. And a third. And so on. This one could go on for a while, and I'd still love it.
The first opening video can be found here. There's not much difference in the second video. I really like the creepy song, but the video doesn't tell you anything about the series (except that it's kinda creepy - and somehow the song really fits the ghost hunting theme).
On a completely unrelated note, I absolutely adore this song I'm listening to. It plays during the very last moments of the very last Kaleido Star OVA (Legend of Phoenix), and it's beautiful.
Ghost Hunt managed to exceed my expectations, which is saying a lot because I'm a big fan of mysteries, particularly supernatural mysteries. I randomly picked this series out from a search page on myanimelist.net because I thought it looked interesting. Then I found out it was based on a series of novels written by the person who created "The Twelve Kingdoms". Given that that show is on my top five anime list, I had to give this one a watch.
This anime is actually a collection of case files taken on by Shibuya Psychic Research, which is an organization founded by 17-year-old Kazuya Shibuya. The main character, Mai, is conned into working for him (and yes, she actually was conned, as you discover later in the series) and nicknames him 'Naru-chan' - short for narcissistic, because he seems convinced that the sun rises and sets on his ass. Not in a comedic way, but in a dry, almost emotionless sort of way which makes it all the more interesting. Naru is extremely intelligent and very good-looking, which means the fact that he has such a high opinion of himself is fully justified (frustrating, isn't it?). His attitude kind of sucks (he's pretty cold), but you learn to like him anyway.
Like I mentioned above, the anime is split into various case files. Some of them last for more episodes than others. The first is three episodes long, and is mainly dedicated to introducing the various characters and the various methods of exorcism / ghost hunting. Naru's psychic research organization (which all of two people belong to including Naru himself) uses high-tech equipment and Naru's own formidable knowledge base and deducting skills.
You are also introduced to a buddhist monk who is a bass musician as well, a miko who was not actually raised on a shrine, a Catholic priest from Australia with a strong Kansai accent, and a famous japanese psychic who can channel spirits. The story in the episodes was not that compelling a ghost tale, but it did give you an idea what the dynamics between the cast will be like, which seemed pretty good.
The second case is better, lasting three episodes as well but having more time to devote to the actual paranormal activity going on, which is what I really wanted to see. This is where we see the creepiness of the series starting to sink in. You really want to move quickly through the episodes, as the mystery unravels itself.
The third case is, in my opinion, not as good, but it was still pretty creepy. While the events of the second case were the result of a spirit, the events in this case were caused by a person consciously calculating out each incident. I prefer the former, but the latter works well too. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. The things that happen in this case up the level of creepiness, though.
A single-episode case follows - a really silly one, which I guess had to happen. It's a bit of a cute one, so I wouldn't skip it, but it's pretty meh when compared with the rest of the series.
The next is a two-episode case and a bit of a Christmas arc. Still a good story and you still wonder what happened, but definitely not on the level of the others. I still recommend watching it, but don't expect a heck of a lot.
And then we get back to the creepiness, and it's upped yet again! Without wanting to give away too much, I'd say this one was a mixture of human and spirit cause. Its origins were with a human consciousness, but it escalated on its own. Certainly this arc's danger level went up a notch and it was more fun to watch unfold. But it paled in comparison with...
The seventh case, and I would say my favorite, is without a doubt the freakiest of the arcs in this anime. I had trouble falling asleep after watching this, and yet I still watch it over again (masochist much?). I adore the way this story unfolds, wrapped in very real danger and extreme creepiness. Absolutely no human causes. All supernatural. And this is no ordinary ghost. Man. I can't say enough about this arc. It's called 'Bloodsoaked Labyrinth'. And it's GOOD. Whew!
Oddly enough, the eighth case goes down a level. A little disappointing, but it was still pretty good and decently creepy. Worthy of a rewatch or two. Or three. Heh. No human cause here - not really, anyway. And yet, it's not a spirit either. I give it points for miko coolness, which was nowhere in any of the previous episodes, because the miko tends to be a running gag of incompetence. Don't spoil yourself, though. Watch the series from start to finish. You won't regret it.
Through the whole series, the characters develop varying relationships with each other. Their interactions are interesting and believable. If I didn't read spoilers, I'd still be wondering what was up with the Naru who appears in Mai's dreams. Not saying a word, because there might be a second season, and how would I feel if I spoiled someone who didn't want to read ahead?
I recommend this series for anyone who likes ghost stories, mysteries, and good anime with fun characters. It was a really good show. I'm hoping like hell for a second season. And a third. And so on. This one could go on for a while, and I'd still love it.
The first opening video can be found here. There's not much difference in the second video. I really like the creepy song, but the video doesn't tell you anything about the series (except that it's kinda creepy - and somehow the song really fits the ghost hunting theme).
On a completely unrelated note, I absolutely adore this song I'm listening to. It plays during the very last moments of the very last Kaleido Star OVA (Legend of Phoenix), and it's beautiful.