[Winter 2015] Death Parade

[TwilightBlade]

I loved how this episode explored some of the background of the arbiters and assistants.

Spoiler:

So far the two assistants share in common that they arguably recovered their memories a lot easier and without the stressful situation. Mayu instantly recognized the pop sensation idol at least. Kurokami, or whatever nickname she's going by, remembered that she's dead upon arrival in Quindecim and that they had to wipe her memories. She's gaining again her memories by reading the storybook, too.

I quite like how Nona is experimenting with adding in the assistants in attempt to offer a more human judgment to the departed. Also, Decim strangely shows little emotion despite being the only arbiter with emotion. His reasoning behind building all of the mannequins is endearing on a whole different level, though.

 

[Zoinkity]

Ooh! Two-parter this week!

Spoiler:

Four 5-10 second spots this episode dedicated to Decim's character, revealing he is an emotional person but doesn't express them in a typical fashion. It requires actually knowing and understanding him to see it.

Whoever devised this format has true genius. Wrapping character studies in a forced situation like this to accelerate their pacing and draw out the most vital parts--basically making them "fun".

 

[Winter]

Episode 7 (late) commentary:

Spoiler:

Did they make a contradiction? Arbiters cannot feel emotions yet everyone of them except maybe Decim exhibits emotions of a human quality.

Death Rally {#8}:

Spoiler:

Onna's first judgment - two killers of a revenge motive! It's really scary when the younger man found the knife in his bag. Was half expecting him to use it on Decim or something. I cannot begin to think how those two could be related, if they are.

 

[Zoinkity]

Re: Death Rally

Spoiler:

With the similarity of the crime they probably were executing revenge against the same person.

The problem with Nona is she is almost always sarcastic, and on the few instances she isn't resorts to dry humor. I dare say she's commenting on how arbiters are expected to act, not what they truly are. If you're just supposed to be a cog why did they draw the happy smiley face on you?

 

[Raven Valt]

Am I the only person who has felt a little disappointed by this anime, I was really looking forward to it and the first 2-3 episodes had me all excited, now I don't get so hyped for its release each week, some of the episodes have been a bit dull and predictable which is probably why my lack of interest has surfaced but it just hasn't lived up to what I expected from it.

 

[derozio]

Actually I felt the same, haha. It started off REALLY strong, became a little dull in the middle but it seems to have found its groove in these two episodes.

Talking of the latest two episodes (which were connected) - HOLY FUCK WAS THAT BRILLIANTLY DONE. I LOVED THE LATEST EPISODE.

And that ED playing at the very end. At that moment. FUCK. Brilliance. Madhouse nailed this episode. This was the best Death Parade episode imo. This and the first episode.

This post serves as a much needed bump - WATCH THIS EP, PEEPS. THEN I'LL BE BACK AND TALK MORE ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS AWESOME!!!

 

[Winter]

I think its strength lies in its episodic nature. If I could compare it to another anime, it's similar to Mushishi in terms of how it is executed plot-wise.

Death Counter:

Spoiler:

Looks like Zoinkitty was right.

I agree with derozio that this episode with its previous one brought back the initial captivating elements of Death Parade. Onna finally plays a part rather than being an observer.

 

[Skip Class]

God I've been pretty behind writing in this thread, but I just had to after the last episode

Spoiler: Episode 11

First and for most:

I didn't actually realise it first till I read around and found out that's actually Light Yagami from Death Note. He's a cross-project cameo since Madhouse also did Death Note. I think that after learning about this, it's certainly gotten Mayu/Ginti's scenario a lot more interesting.

On realization, Mayu's choice was no longer about sending a complete random to the void to search for Harada's soul or sending Harada to the void. If Mayu had known about Light she would have probably pushed the button to send him straight to the void.

Also, Ginti tricking Mayu and sending her to the void along with Harada. Jesus christ that was depressing - especially seeing the masks flip between reincarnation to void.

At the same time Decim knocking out Chiyuki with her last drink. Things are really wrapping up for the final episode and by the title of the next episode, Chiyuki died from suicide (?) from no longer being able to skate. I'm glad we were finally able to see her past, but it got pretty depressing near the end.

​

Too much feels from this episode, but I'm really pumped to see what Oculus is up to...

​

 

[Winter]

#toomuch #feels

Spoiler:

Ginti's test of judgment was cruel but I think I got what he was driving at. If Mayu expressed selflessness and sacrificed her idol for a stranger, she might have gone to reincarnation. But she stuck to her fangirl obsession and that was interpreted by Ginti as being too clingy onto life (and selfishness as well I guess). The animation of their bodies turning to mannequins was eerie. o: Chiyuki's story was really depressing... Her skating was beautiful... *tear*

The confrontation between Nona and Oculus. Decim's judgment of Chiyuki. So much big answers to anticipate.

 

[Satoshi Ookami]

>Kira
Sasuga MADHOUSE... sasuga MADHOUSE.

Spoiler:

Now we know he survived his anime like Lelou did

 

[TwilightBlade]

Episodes 11 and 12 wrecked me. Hands down the best anime this season.

 

[Skip Class]

I'm really sad that I have to put Death Parade under my completed list. I really wished it could have kept going for a little longer. However, the last episode really did leave feeling somewhat satisfied:

Spoiler: Episode 12 and final thoughts

So I'm guessing Chiyuki's final judgement would be just like Mayu's. Decim manipulating or trying to trick her into thinking she could return to life in exchange for someone else. However before she has the chance to bring herself to press the button, she reflects on all the judgements she has had to assist on. She realises after seeing her mother that there will always be at least one person who looks out or cares for them.

The action causes Decim to break down in tears knowing the meaning of having emotion and breaks the illusion to the "real world" which is actually the lowest floor.

He finally sends Chiyuki up for reincarnation ands she tries to make him smile.
Decim trying to and then finally smiles as the door closes just really hit me ;-;

The last shot with mannequin smiling Chiyuki did really give me that final satisfaction.

Decim's last wish, was quite powerful:
I want to become an arbiter who helps people say, 'I am glad I lived'.

Final Thoughts:
This show was executed brilliantly. Animation, characters, designs sound track and of course story were all done well. I fell in love with the stories and characters from the very beginning and to see it finally come to an end - well I can say I am really going to miss watching this on Saturdays.
Only wish was to see more of the arbiters and staff such as Ginti and Clavis. I'd really liked to see some OVAs for the series even if they were just one off death games.

Death Parade is probably my favourite anime this season. I'd give it a final score of 9/10.
Finally time to watch Death Billiards!

 

[Winter]

TOO MUCH FEELS IN ONE EPISODE God knows how many sheets of tissue I used in 20 minutes ;~;

I've been hooked on Death Parade from top to bottom and I think I'll miss it for months. I do hope we get some OVAs revolving around other characters like Ginti, Klavis, even Quin.

Best anime of the season and I dare say best of the year, if not in the top 5 category.

 

[derozio]

While I still maintain that the first episode and 8+9 combo were the BEST episodes in the series (they had a lot of impact), the last episode did serve as a good swan song for the series.

Spoiler:

Those scenes with Chiyuki's mother were pretty damn emotional. Although honestly, I didn't expect Decim to have created that entire place. That's some high-level shit he's capable of, man!

It was, overall, a show with its share of highs and lows. The highs were pretty damn high (episode 1 and 8+9 made were downright impressive). Animation, art and OST were brilliant (The OP and ED are both the best of the season for me). Premise was interesting too. The only issues I have with the show is the fact that a few episodes in the middle kinda lost a little bit of the impact and that quite a lot of characters weren't given as much attention as I would've liked. Still, a better series than most and among the best from a pretty dry Winter season. 8/10

 

[Candy]

So I just started binge-watching this last night (to be precise, after midnight hahaha), and honestly... I regret not following this since its initial airing. The premise and the story is really amazing, and there were just many parts that could bring me to tears. The ending especially.

Damn, I missed out on a lot.

 

[Zoinkity]

Absolutely brilliant show!
Would love to see something--anything--in the same setting. Don't think I've wanted a spinoff so badly since Haibane Renmei.

 

[Satoshi Ookami]

Finally time to watch Death Billiards!

This is seriously bad order for watching Death anime xD

 

[Skip Class]

This is seriously bad order for watching Death anime xD

Since I still enjoyed it, it's not too bad :pp. But yeah, in most cases it would have been better to watch it as earlier than later.