Anime Otaku Paradise: February 2015

Hello all you lovely people! I know, I've been inactive for half a year now. . . But, I'm back! And holy crap, this blog has been given more attention than I thought it would (or should). On this blog, I think I just write whatever I think about anime shows. Nothing that special, haha. From now on, I'll try to post at least once a month. It can be my super late New Years' Resolution I always fail to complete, I suppose. I'm all caught up on Death Parade (episode 5) and it's simply too amazing to not say anything about it! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

I first heard of this anime through Death Billiards, a short animated movie by Madhouse for Anime Mirai 2013. In only two short years, it's gained its own on-going series and popularity! The one thing I absolutely adore about this show is how each episode varies. Not all of them are so serious or sad feels-like or downright cute. Each episode is a new thing to discover about the main characters in Quindecim or incoming guests.

Short Summary

Death Parade is a psychological, game, kind of anime show. Not game in the sense of video games similar to SAO, but, game as in the typical games you'd play with friends or family. After death, humans go to either heaven or hell. Alternatively, they're also referred to as Reincarnation and the Void. Honestly, I think this would make more sense because most people in Japan aren't Christian (that is assuming this is all taking place in Japan). However, for the people who happen to die in the same instance, they are sent to Quindecim. It's a bar attended by the stoic white-haired Decim. He challenges the two to the "Death Game", making the players believe their lives are at risk. These games are supposed to bring out the darkness of each human so the arbitrators (like Decim) can judge where their final destination will be.

Reincarnation and the Void

There's a lot of controversy regarding the whole heaven or hell concept. It really is just open for interpretation. Most viewers assume reincarnation to be the good result and the void the bad one. It sounds right, doesn't it? Even the masks hanging above the elevators look to represent good and evil. One is designed angelic looking and the other demonic.

But, in Buddhism, reincarnation is considered bad. Someone who is reincarnated is someone who's ignorant and still far from the stage of enlightenment. Consequently, they go through sufferings and tests of living in an endless cycle to eventually earn enlightenment. This brings me to my next point. In order to reach enlightenment, one has to go through the void. Someone who reaches the void acquires nirvana. Being enlightened is basically to be rid of all desires and enter a state of "emptiness"/transcendence. Simply, to cease your existence altogether. Therefore, through a Buddhist perspective, the real issue is whether they reach enlightenment and resolve their sins.

On the other hand, in Christian (or any other Western religions) terms, the void can be considered bad and reincarnation the opposite. Reincarnation can be heaven where one is resurrected to live in the Utopian afterlife. To be sent to the void is equivalent to live in never ending pain and agony. Kinda like purgatory.

Main Characters

Decim

Seiyuu: Tomoaki Maeno

Decim hugging two crying guests in Episode 3: Rolling Ballade

He is the bartender of Quindecim and an acting arbiter for the dead. In my eyes, I consider Decim main character since he is in every single episode of the show so far. He is always seen wearing a bartender outfit. At first, Decim seems to be emotionless during his jobs unless something shocking comes up. He speaks in a detached manner and would rather keep personal thoughts to himself. Decim takes pride in his job as an arbiter and always holds respects for guests, no matter how good/awful they treat him. (he puts up with everyone's attitude in a nutshell)

[**spoiler from Episode 5** From recently watching episode 5, I can say with 100% certainty that Decim feels something for Onna. Whether it be a little crush, admiration, or love. In the past, he's never fought Ginty so seriously before. The whole reason why the two started fighting anyway was to force Decim to make judgement on Onna. Of course, he didn't. And then afterwards he carried Onna in his arms to her bed, EVEN TUCKING HER IN, and then staring at her for a few seconds. He could've just easily transported her using those strings of his, right? This definitely spells for something.]

Fun fact: Decim makes creepy-looking mannequins as a hobby. Totally something everyone does in their spare time.

I, for one, agree with Nona. It's an awfully weird hobby, that's for sure.

Kurokami no Onna (literally translates into Black-Haired Woman)

Seiyuu: Asami Seto

She is an amnesiac women who is taken in by Nona and works as Deicm's assistant at Quindecim. Onna's amnesia explains why she cannot remember her name or her life as a human on Earth. First, she seems innocent and inquires about many things. But, in reality, Onna is intelligent and has great knowledge on human behaviour. She's strong minded and likes to speak her mind. In that way, Onna is sort of like the foil character to Decim. She constantly shows her emotions.

Decim and Onna. Gosh, they look good together.

Onna's cute smile can make anybody's day better, tbh.

spoiler from Episode 5 In the most recent episode, it was revealed that Onna died and was sent to Quindecim. However, she still retained her human memories and knew she was dead, therefore Decim could not provoke her to play any Death games. Onna had her memories erased before she became Decim's assistant. Ugh, there's so much mystery to Onna and I'm dying to know why she retained her memories!

If only I looked like this when I'm sleeping.

Nona

Seiyuu: Rumi Okubo

She is the barkeeper of Nona Ginta on the 19th floor. Despite her young and innocent stature, she's the boss of Decim and Ginty. Nona appears to be laid back, but, sometimes reveals her mean side (*cough* mean girls *cough). She administers rulings for who is responsible for the floors below her. She is very calculated and experienced as an arbiter.

Nona reassuring Decim in a rough way.

Nona reading the book, Chavvot. I think the boy represents Decim and the girl Onna. There are many theories about "Chavvot" floating around the endless depths of the internet.

Ginty (did I spell that right?)

Seiyuu: Yoshimasa Hosoya

Not much is revealed about this particular red-head arbiter yet, but, episode 6 is centered around his bar. Ginty's first appearance is in episode five when he confronts Decim about judging "the woman". He acts very rough in nature. Nona mentioned how Decim was better than that "idiot", so, I can assume that Ginty is a less talented arbiter than Decim? Or maybe he has less experience?