Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku. A ninja sentenced to death is invited to join an expedition to find the Elixir of Immortality in an island southwest of Japan, under the promise of receiving a pardon and going back to his wife.
This is a masterpiece, the best way to kick off the Spring Season, and it can probably become anime of the year. Of course, there are anime like Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan this year still, but Hell’s Paradise is something new. When the manga was still on going, it was one of the darkest Shonen Jump titles. It even made you wonder how that was supposed to target the shonen audience (young boys). There’s a lot of blood, gore, sex and profanity. I’d say it’s over-the-top even for seinen sometimes. But the beauty of it is that, despite being such a dark and gritty story, it’s ultimately about love. Like the best dark fantasies, all the violence and evil serves to highlight the wholesome moments.
The first episode adapts the manga’s first chapter very accurately (I checked), and it’s a hell of an introduction. It serves as a character study for the protagonist, and leaves you screaming for more.
I’m definitely picking this up. Hope it’s a double-cour.