Jigoku Shojou Futakomori



Review date: April 07,2008
by theanimegddess aka Ryan

Welcome back people, time now for another anime series review for your viewing pleasure. This week I bring you the series Jigoku Shoujo, or the English translated Hell Girl. This anime series is unlike some of the many ‘Shinigami” type anime that are currently out. There is a unique twist to this series which is a website that only becomes available at midnight. The website becomes a portal to the underworld, their only job is to take revenge on your behalf.

The series is a bit different than most in that each episode is of a different situation in where revenge is exacted for a variety of reasons. The main character is Ai Enma who is the revenge wielder. She dwells within the hell realm, living with her grandmothers and her faithful companions who travel to our world when a revenge is granted. The rules are simple, you may reach the site only at the stroke of midnight. You may enter the antagonist’s name on the webpage and Jigoku Shoujo will either appear or not, as only she may see fit. If she appears then you are given a doll with a red string around it’s neck, pull the string and the revenge is granted. However if you do pull the string you have to pay the compensation. The antagonist will be immediately ferried to hell, but a curse mark will appear upon the one who pulls the string and as they say, as one revenge is taken two graves are dug. Once you choose revenge you too will be ferried to hell upon your death.

All in all this is a very depressing series with one bad situation after another to watch and slit your wrists to. The character development is tortoise slow at best. I found the series difficult to watch and even more difficult to enjoy. The repetitive nature of the series is too much for this anime-kitten to handle. I don’t recommend it unless you are ready to be depressed for several hours. Thankfully it’s only 26 episodes long. I would give Jigoku Shoujo a grade of C. Although it is an interesting concept, it fails to keep you interested for much of the series.

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