The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel - Extra Chorus · review
Spoiler warning
This review may discuss plot details.
Whoa, it's a bit strange this has only one review. A solid 7.5/10, this special stays true to the overall feel of Kara no Kyoukai and blends several kinds of approaches to storytelling/atmosphere. Essentially, this is a 3-in-1 bundle of short episodes (~9 minutes each). I watched Extra Chorus after Mirai Fukuin and much like the other reviewer, I believe this to be a better decision to absorb this short special. Episode 1 centers on Kokutou and Shiki in a slice-of-life manner. You'll have cat-appreciating-Shiki and several moments that show a more vulnerable side to her. As for Kokutou, he's...well, Kokutou as usual. Their interactions areorganic as always. So much left unspoken yet understood in their relationship dynamics which is even more applicable in Episode 3.
Episode 2 re-introduces other characters you've already seen in KnK Movie 1 and KnK Movie 3, as well as Mirai Fukuin. It ties their interactions and maps out their future in a neat, non-intrusive way that makes sense and doesn't feel forced. It also sheds additional light on the aforementioned side characters; they get some extra fleshing out which is always a thing to be appreciated.
Episode 3 wraps up with Shiki/Kokutou on one hand, and the cast from Episode 2 (a.k.a. the Reien Academy girls) on the other. Equally entertaining and emotionally melancholic, it manages to tie the whole feeling of this special in a very heartfelt way. Azaka being angry at the station scene is hilarious.
The balance between the dramatic, heavy-atmosphere-filled essence of Episode 2 is a great counterpart to the playful and funny Episode 1 and the more emotionally-packed, nostalgic, and yet optimistic nature of Episode 3. Few series can achieve this, to be honest.
In a way, these 30 minutes encompass a wide variety of situations, emotions, and messages for you, the watcher and appreciator of the KnK universe. They are in no way a must to understand the whole plot. They are, however, a neatly-wrapped 'extra' that will be appreciated by any KnK fan.
As I said, a solid 7.5/10.