Shin Sekai Yori review

Shin Sekai Yori is a show I’ve dedicated a lot of time to as a blogger. The task of writing a post on each episode every week was made a lot easier by the fact that I actually really enjoyed it, and always had something to say about it! I actually had too much to say about the show at times, which is why I’ve now decided to write a review on it. I’d like to be able to compile the most important thoughts I’ve had on the show during those 25 weeks into one post. Who knows, maybe it will help someone reading this to decide whether or not they want to watch the show? One can only dream!!

I won’t waste time by giving you a synopsis- if you want one, read it here on MAL- I’m just gonna launch right into it!!!

Shin Sekai Yori episode 14- Guns don’t kill people, people do

Anyone who knows me knows that I love discussing the true nature of us humans; it’s a most fascinating topic! According to the Bible we are, at our cores, not particularly nice beings, and any behaviour that seems to contradict that can often be drawn up to psychological processes- forgive me for being so pragmatic!! Episode 12 of Shin Sekai Yori was strangely optimistic, to me it seemed to convey the message that even if we are inherently bad, it is possible to fight back against that badness, we are able to choose. Even if that choice is influenced somewhat by psychological processes, or a desire to adhere to social conventions, that doesn’t take away from the fact a conscious choice has been made. This episode, however, was far more condemning of humans, comparing cantus-users to dangerous weapons with limitless energy. Indeed, if we are inherently bad, how much more likely are we to let our true natures dictate when a powerful weapon is placed in our hands?

Shin Sekai Yori episode 12- Perhaps us humans aren’t so bad after all?

As I pointed out during my last Shin Sekai Yori post, I absolutely love the episodes dedicated to exposition. Not only do they answer some of the many, many questions raised by the show, they do so in a way that raises even more questions, which really encourages you to think. This week we learnt the difference between a fiend and a karma demon, but not why exactly individuals turn into either of these things. Sure, we were offered theories, but nothing conclusive, which has really set the gears of my mind whirring. Why do boys turn into fiends, whereas girls don’t (at least not the large majority of the time)? What triggers individuals’ transformation into fiends? Is it even possible for one’s endorphins to trigger a murderous frenzy? Why do some experience cantus leakages whilst others do not? Why are fiends so hell-bent on self-preservation, whereas karma demons such as Shun and Izumi are able to exhibit self-sacrifice?

Can you truly appreciate a show without first analysing it?

I’ve been blogging for 9 months now and it’s taught me a lot of things but, mainly to foster a greater appreciation for the shows I watch. This is achieved through taking the time to sit back and consider whether there was anything the show was subtle-y hinting at or alluding to. I’m sure you’re all familiar with this process of over-analysing shows to the point it seems, to others, as though you’re pulling stuff straight out of your derriere, it’s something that kind of comes with the territory for a blogger but, is this truly necessary in order to be able to enjoy a show?

Shin Sekai Yori episode 5- So did that guy die, or did he just pull a Houdini?

I had been warned prior to watching this episode that it was a weird one, but that still didn’t stop me from being taken aback by just how weird it was. I know, as a blogger, I’m meant to be analytical, unpacking the events of what I see in an almost scientific fashion, but I’m about to follow up my last point with a very wishy-washy statement: this episode had a completely different energy to it. Perhaps it was due to the change in pace, or the subtle change in character design, or the not-so-subtle changes in Saki and Satoru’s characters themselves? In any case, I, and others, struggled to keep up with this episode- it was very unlike the others which would introduce an element then give you ample time to mull it over in your mind…