Lovecraftian Horror gone mad. You read that right, it’s the Necronomicon and that translates to Lovecraft, an unlikely pairing with anime but it’s not so in the early days of visual novels and manga. For many the combination of tentacles and anime seem like an easy fit so therefore it wouldn’t be too hard to imagine that Cthulhu would be added but this, however, this series doesn’t feature that, instead this is a suspenseful murder mystery, albeit with a heavy touch of horror and gore, lots and lots of gore. As an adaptation of a cult Visual Novel, it's well balanced in terms of it's screenwritingto condense a ten-hour game into a two-hour series but it works really smoothly and doesn't feel rushed which is quite an achievement, with everything that transpires, large cast of characters and exotic locations. For foreign viewers it has the mood of a late 90's B-film that one would watch on cable with its focus on a lot of exploitative and sensational topics, paganism, BDSM, human experimentation, necrophilia, World War two, zombies and conspiracies.
It’s Lovecraftian references are spread throughout but furthermore taken to a much more erotic and violent degree. Since the theme of erotica was a very foreign and abstract concept for H.P Lovecraft himself, and since this is a work intended for adults. However, it doesn’t skip on trying to make certain erotic scenes uncomfortable since guro is found in this title.

Characters
A series like this is nothing without a great cast and a solid protagonist, Satoshi Suzusaki, that holds the viewers interest and gaze. With a dubious reference to Yusaku Matsuda from Tantei Monogatari, a detective series from the 70's, in a brooding, smoker, neo-noir kind of way. An attractive man with a sleek physique, beard, long hair, chic suit and enigmatic air around him, completed with a no-nonsense attitude but more in the sense that he will use his wits rather than force to obtain information. His adoptive daughter Asuka is a fashionable, elegant tsundere who works as his confidant and assistant. Clever and always helpful with a cheerful personality, drawn in way that’s very reminiscent of the 90’s style of which it is based on. Sharp lines, a pronounced black pupil, large hair, defined shadow and highlight, which is quite common among the women.
Since it has a rather large cast that would take up too much time to write but suffice to say, they’re well rounded and need to be, since this is a whodunnit.

Visuals
With its gorgeous dark colour palette that fits its theme of isolation and madness, especially the first two episodes who are centred in a closed off space. Bright colours are using sparingly and when they are used they don’t feel warm nor calming, often they’re stark and gives a sense of unease. While its backgrounds are rich and detailed. Be it snow covered mountains, gothic hallways, isolated hotels, mysterious laboratories, old mansions and the aftermaths of brutal ritualistic killings. It’s clear that a lot of effort went into making this an immersive and dark experience. It’s second half takes place in New England and while a lot of time is set during daylight It never feels safe, knowing what’s lurking in the detailed and murky forest that surrounds the small town.
Animation is nicely done. It’s a mystery so don’t expect a lot of gunfights and action, more introspection and detective work. There’s hardly any footage reuse and characters look and feel very distinct from one another. Even the American characters are not all blonde and blue eyed as one would guess. They’re drawn in a semi-realistic style with features that are not as expressive and more subdued, giving a feeling of a rich inner life.

Audio
The score is also something that does deserve a lot of praise. We hear everything from Muslim praying chants, soothing trumpets, low electronica and a sensual saxophone. Its most used instruments are trumpets, piano and synth in the more relaxed sequences. They give the series a little touch of class and don’t feel disjointed with its rather pulpy nature. While being a horror it thankfully doesn’t fixate too much on using a waterphone, but it does show up combined with suspenseful drums, eerie chants, flutes and humming keyboards.
The voice fits all the characters but especially it’s protagonist. Who feels the character steadily riveting paranoia and psychological trauma with a tense ease. Another standout is Mina, a information broker who’s voice carry with it a sense of strong confidence, allure as well as compassion.

Final verdict
It's a good series and not "just for a hentai" but for an anime, it really shows its strength in how it keeps the viewer guessing and building suspense, having lots of twists and turns, and somehow doesn't feel cliched since it has Lovecraft so anchored to its main story. As previously mentioned, it’s filled with violence, gore and twisted sexual imagery that only the director Hideki Takayama (Legend of the Overfiend) and screenwriter Saga Ryou (Night Shift Nurses) could come up with. An underrated gem of both horror and Lovecraft fiction. A real standout and somewhat of a cult classic among certain horror and exploitation fans.

It receives the highest recommendation.