Review of Shiki

NOTE: I write this review out of sheer enthusiasm for the series, which I watched pretty recently and eventually became one of my favourites. Story: 7 Vampires try to take over an entire village. OK. Not an original story taking into account the trend back then, but still the evolution of it tried to make it one. The story is not just gore or about how cool vampires are, but about humans and vamps try to eliminate each other. Well, try and think how possible would be for you to convince your fellow humans that monsters exist in order to save yourself as well as them. Trickyhuh? And this would be only the 1/100 of what it would take to just stay alive...That's what I call 'on the edge of one's seat'.

Art: 6
The most contradictory part. Well, to tell the truth, I didn't like it much. It was too kitsch for me. Also it was inconsistent - the nurse friend of Ritsuko was like a character from 'Perfect Blue' despite most of the characters looked like the average anime. Yes, some of the characters' hair and clothes were plain rediculus, BUT I did not hate it for that - try to make a character out of an entire village distinguishable without overdoing it in the design of him/her and I will call you a genius! The artist(s) did what they could do about it and I don't blame them for that.

Sound: 9
OT and ET fitted nicely, but I was completely taken by the rest of the OST. Orchestral music at its best.

Character: 8
All characters displayed consistency. Given that everyone that played a significant part to the story had to be distinct, some aspects were exaggerated. That's what made the viewer sympathize with them though.

*SPOILER*
The only non-consistant character was Tatsumi. At first he was a no-brain sadist and at the end, he showed such tenderness towards Sunako. And then when asked from Muroi why he was serving her he gave a surprisingly sophisticated reply. I mean seriously?
*END OF SPOILER*

Enjoyment: 10
I really really really enjoyed Shiki. Really. I couldn't stop myself from watching many episodes in the row every day and believe me I don't have much spare time on the weekdays. It was utterly suspensefull. Not to mention that after the end of the series I had a fucked up mind for 3 days.

Overall: 9
Maybe it is one of my favourite anime, but I can't overlook its flaws. The story had holes. Personally, I couldn't get the 'kind' and 'justified' part of vampires that the series tried to communicate - I just wanted them to disappear as they should - but that's another extended conversation. Nevertheless, it was amazing for me. I hope you 'll enjoy it as much as me if you plan to watch it.