Review of Hell Girl: Three Vessels
The series exploring certain states of the humans psyches, which when collided, lead to conflicts, unrest, suffering, and eventualy, " pulling THE red string ", that ultimately only brings the prosperity of Hell, through the job of the Hell Corespondence and it's 'employees', Enma Ai and Co. ; Jigoku Shoujo, continues with it's 3rd season. ( Story and Characters ) After her...disturbing departure at the end of the last season. Enma Ai, supernatural maiden, contractor of souls, once again does her stuff in this realm, this time, without a body of her own, having to manifest herself using a school girl asa medium. Most of the events are centered around the school this girl attends. Oh school, thou eternal setting of the japanese animes, smoked and resmoked till the fucktop heights of clisheeic glory !
Yet rightfully a decisive moment in the lives of all, and the place for so many tragedies to unfold.
Her old, more or less, equally hellish companions, now with a new recruit, arrive as well and reunite, sensing their old mistress around. Usually only cool spectators ( untill they had to do their part of the contract ), they are more humanized than ever before in this season, sometimes showing human like empathy towads the protagonists of the episodical "plays".
" Episodical plays ", meaning the format hasn't changed, it's still one story per episode, exception making the plot episodes, which are strategically scattered throughout the season, but mostly bunch up in the last quarter of the anime.
As for the music, I can't help but imagine at times, a mother bird, that, through a trill of tragical beauty, deplores the cruel fate of it's helpless children, that unknowngly condamn themselves to reliving the play of damnation, the one that ever repeats itself in essence, with only the dolls changed...
Other times, it seems like it's fate, laughing without discern behind the humans' backs. This contrast, this creepying feeling draws attention. So do the sound effects, the sound is very well created.
The art also does its part well. I specifically remarked the vividity of the colours, which, when placed on a faded background, again, create a contrast that draws attention. The red colour is especially vivid in key moments, contributing to the omonious feeling. The intensity of light and contrast also suffer sudden changes, amplifying the effect even further. Sure, we've seen that in the first 2 seasons as well, but in this season, they've really pushed the music and the art + animation one step further.
This 3rd season distinguishes itself from the first two, mainly through the originality of the conflicts. There's no clear black and white anymore, with white pulling the string, and the black getting what they deserved. Instead, things get a lot murkier, as Jigoku Shoujo is exploring lesser known parts of the human psyche. Oftenly, keeping the suspense, the doll pops late, and from where you expect the least. This aproach breaths some fresh air into a concept that's grown rather old over two seasons.
These series come to show how human feelings can be mistaken, and can determine impulsive actions, which can't be undone.
Overall, if you're here, you must've already watched the first two seasons, case in which, I see no reason not to recommend to give this one a try, and end the " trilogy ". But if you've already beared with Enma Ai and Co., for two whole seasons, you'll probably do the same even without me telling you that.