Review of Shiki

Shiki is an anime that draws the viewer into a psychological/horror mystery set in Sotoba Village, a place where everyone knows everyone. It is a peaceful, isolated place that starts experiencing problems as its villagers begin dying from an unknown epidemic—or at least, that's what they want you to think. Narrative: Since the arrival of the Kirishiki family, the village of Sotoba has been experiencing mysterious deaths, but no one is very concerned about it besides Dr. Toshio. The plot develops at a slow pace at first, creating a dreadful atmosphere around the village while some characters try to uncover the truth behind this supposed epidemic.It then starts feeling somewhat weird and uneven, with some episodes dragging on boringly while others deliver very intense and thrilling moments. This pacing can be either good or bad, depending on the viewer's preference. The show focuses a lot on asking the question, "What makes someone evil?" which I feel strengthens the narrative. By the end, the humanization of the Shiki makes you question who is truly good or bad in this story.
7/10

Characters: I feel like the characters are the weakest part of this show. Besides Dr. Toshio and Sunako, there isn't much character development. The cast is very forgettable and underutilized overall, with some characters having potential to make a big impact for good or bad, but they lack the capability. We also don't get to know what makes the difference between becoming a Shiki or just dying; it's just random with no further explanation in the story. Even though this show lacks strong character writing, Dr. Toshio and Sunako carry the story on their shoulders. Whether good or bad, in the end, we are all the same, being either human or Shiki—killing so we won't starve, or killing so we won't be killed.
4/10

Sound: The music and sound design in Shiki are standout elements that enhance the eerie atmosphere. Both the opening and the ending are very fitting for this series, setting a haunting tone. They may not be my favorite pieces of music, but they blend well with the series. The background music conveys a calming yet unsettling tone, matching the moments in the story. The voice acting is very convincing, which is hard to achieve in horror animes, as they usually involve a lot of screaming. This one felt very real and disturbing.
9/10

Animation/Visuals: The animation can be weird in some intense moments, and the character designs are either weak or exaggerated. However, the anime has a unique aesthetic, and the animation is consistent for most of the show, with good attention to detail in some horrific and bloody scenes. There is some censoring in certain parts of the show, but in others, it does it right, showing the horrifying elements this show was meant to offer. I like it.
6/10

Overall: Shiki tries to explore the morality of the people in the village of Sotoba and the humanity in the hearts of the creatures known as Shiki. Its strengths lie in the narrative and the atmospheric sound design, while its weaknesses are in character writing, with not spectacular but good animation. This show may not be to everyone's taste, but for those who enjoy horror or psychological series with slow pacing, Shiki is worth watching.