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"Once you become used to the abnormalities, they become mundane" Kekkai Sensen is a mismatch of everything and yet is one of the most energetic and highly entertaining shows out there. It comprises of an amazing cast, a surrealistic world setting and a phenomenal direction by none other than the prolific genius, Rie Matsumoto herself, the only person who would be able to direct something this crazy. The anime series is a blend of shonen-esque concepts and slice of life genre which makes it a bit difficult to catch up to what's happening sometimes but it won't be long when you will begin to get thegist of wacky things that are going around.
Synopsis - Leonardo Watch goes to Hellsalem's Lot to find the answers about the mysterious powers he received out of the blue. He soon runs into Libra and unexpectedly joins their ranks. Kekkai Sensen follows Leo's misadventures in the strangest place on Earth with his equally strange comrades—as the ordinary boy unwittingly sees his life take a turn for the extraordinary.
There are a few shows which will keep you at the edge of your seat at times but in the next moment, will have you rolling out with laughter on how crazily terrific it was. Kekkai Sensen delivers a perfect score on that aspect, it's the right blend of everything that is being presented to us as an audience.
In the beginning, we are introduced to something out of this world understanding and all of a sudden, things start changing and the change is so sudden that one won't be able to fully grasp the situation at hand but believe me when I say this, it is for the better and above all, majority of the knots will be untied by the end of the series. For now, just sit back and relax, see what's happening and enjoy the craziness that will be unpacked in front of you.
The characters are the greatest aspect of this show and probably the reason why it makes it more awfully beautiful and strangely awesome. Although the protagonist is Leonardo Watch, the show shifts its focus to different characters several times and puts them in the shoes of the protagonist to deliver a particular scene from a different perspective and it works so well with the theme of the series. All of them have a wacky personality and this strange atmosphere around them which makes them mysterious and interesting at the same time. Also, the character dynamics of a few of them are quite fun to watch, for example, Klaus and Zapp. Apart from these, the names of the characters also stand out from the lot, especially their indefinable quirks which are badass and strange, not to forget the long-ass name of every ability they use.
About the comedy, it's situational and most of the times, relies on the eerie facial expressions of the characters but is so on point and will make you laugh for certain and it won't be long until you will find yourself smiling at every little thing the characters will be indulged in whether it be having a normal conversation or helping someone get a burger.
Kekkai Sensen was helmed by a renowned studio 'Bones' and it did deliver to a certain extent but could have been much better.
The world which Kekkai Sensen is basked in is animated well, the otherworldly creatures and the character designs of the cast are pretty solid and will leave quite an impression on me but the problem were the battles. Although the first episode packs some 'sakuga', I can't say the same for the others. Rie Matsumoto is terrific with the wide camera angles and she makes the fight more impressive, engaging and elegant with her brilliant direction but that alone won't make the fights look good. Although she alone won't be able to make everything look good and for this one, Bones could have done a much better job.
The soundtrack is phenomenal in every way, the use of jazz was a perfect choice, it never felt out of the place. To be honest, it only added more flair to the show, with beautiful music, a notable one.
In all honesty, Kekkai Sensen is a clusterfuck of whimsical nonsense and still, loveable at the same time. The bizarre storytelling, the eerie characters and the wacky surrealistic events happening everywhere with no plausibility whatsoever makes it more enjoyable and fun to binge. Although it ties the majority of its loose ends by the final episode, it still has a lot to reason about but that incompleteness too makes it more sophisticated and entertaining. But overall, it's quite an enjoyable ride which will leave you for wanting a bit more of it.
It's a quivering 8 but a solid 7.5