Should I Watch Jigokuraku?

(Synopsis)
Sentenced to death, ninja Gabimaru the Hollow finds himself apathetic. After leading a blood-soaked life, Gabimaru believes he deserves to die. However, every attempt to execute him inexplicably fails. Finally, Sagiri Yamada Asaemon, a fledgling member of a famed executioner clan, is asked to take Gabimaru's life; yet Sagiri makes no move to kill him as requested.

Insisting that Gabimaru will not die because of his love for his wife, Sagiri instead offers him the chance to obtain a full pardon for his crimes. If he can travel to the island of Shinsekyo and obtain the Elixir of Life—which supposedly grants immortality—and bring it back for the shogun, then his freedom will be assured.

But of the many who have traveled to Shinsekyo in search of the mythical Elixir, not a single person has returned sound of mind, if at all. Though unaware of the numerous dangers ahead, Gabimaru decides to accept the offer—alongside ten other death row convicts—in hope that he and his wife may finally live in peace.

[Source: MAL Rewrite]
(Synopsis ends)

The realm of Jigokuraku, or Hell's Paradise, promises thrilling battle and a fascinating cosmology, setting the stage for a perilous voyage. This anime's promise is hampered by the forced exposition that plagues it from the outset.

The show struggles with subpar writing and production quality, which eventually leaves viewers feeling let down despite its compelling combat and a world full of potential.

With an overwhelming dependence on forced exposition, Hell's Paradise fails out of the start. The anime's main character, Gabimaru, opens by describing the horrifying act of beheading. Characters continue to use various coercive techniques to forcefully reveal their backstories, goals, and weaknesses.

The information delivery feels forced, whether it's through non-diegetic narration, flashbacks, or characters giving their backstories. This method undermines the possibilities for organic character growth and storytelling and leaves a chilly impression.

The main character, Gabimaru, and his fellow criminals are banished to a dangerous island where monsters prowl. Although the notion is intriguing, character growth frequently falls flat. Sagiri, the executioner tasked with keeping tabs on Gabimaru, acts as a spokesperson for his development. Unfortunately, this spoon-feeding prevents both characters' growth.

The anime struggles to allow for the natural development of emotions and personalities. Instead, character exposition dumps on one another take up half of the screen time. The anime undervalues its audience by depriving them of the subtleties of natural speech and visual narrative.

Despite several narrative blunders, Hell's Paradise avoids too complex world-building and keeps things simple. Monsters are the name given to the creatures that plague the island, while Tao is the name given to the energy they use. The world is shallow outside of the primary plot, but it excels at depicting bloody conflicts and repulsive animals.

Although sparse, the mythology surrounding these monsters provides a backdrop for compelling conflict. Body horror fans will find a lot to enjoy, especially the frightening Tensen—flower/human hybrids wielding the island's horrors, who appear to be immortal.

Women's emancipation is a recurrent theme in the anime, and Sagiri's resistance to misogynistic obstacles serves as an example of this theme. Although this portrayal adds complexity, the characters' growth frequently seems hurried.

Supporting characters don't get much room to develop before being killed off suddenly, a pattern reminiscent of Demon Slayer, Kimetsu no Yaiba. The use of flashbacks, which was intended to arouse empathy, ends up coming off as poor writing. This hasty method further erodes any chance of developing a greater emotional bond with the group.

Hell's Paradise suffers from poor production quality. The anime is riddled with visual anomalies, and the characters frequently seem disconnected from their environment. This difference undermines immersion and shows a lack of integration.

Combat frequently breaks for flashbacks or monologues, which makes for sluggish fight scenes. The lack of choreography and animation forces the filmmakers to depend primarily on close-ups and irregular camera movements, which ultimately produces underwhelming results.

In conclusion, Hell's Paradise manages to strike a delicate balance between promise and delivery. While creating a world filled with bloody conflicts and horrifying animals, it falls short in terms of character development, scriptwriting, and production quality, which lessens the effect of the film as a whole. The story's natural flow is hampered by forced exposition and a dependence on flashbacks, which makes it difficult to feel a genuine connection to the characters. The lack of charm and comedy also lessens the enjoyment of watching.

Despite these issues, the anime excels in its succinct world-building and exciting moments. Notably, it emphasizes Sagiri, the female deuteragonist's, strength. The show ultimately falls short owing to flaws in the storyline and production, leaving viewers dissatisfied and feeling like their expectations weren't met.