Dogs can also hit animated cartoons when they walk. No.14] Live rationally and cool-headedly!　Battle-survival suspense "Ajin

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The TV series of "Ajin," which depicts a high school student's desperate fight for survival when suddenly the whole world becomes his enemy, has begun airing; how is it different from the three-part movie version, the first part of which was released in November?　And what makes it interesting?　The author, an anime writer who knows the original story and the first part of the movie version, suggests how to enjoy the series in the future.

Simple and unique. The "subhuman" who dies but does not die

Ajin are immortal newcomers who come back to life even after death. They are born from normal human beings, and no one knows if they are subhuman or not until they die.

The story begins with Kei Nagai, a high school student who discovers one day that he is a subhuman after a car accident, and is pursued by the police and the rest of the world.

His daily life is disrupted and the world changes drastically. If he is caught, he will suffer as an experimental creature for the rest of his life, so he desperately runs away. His only ally is a childhood friend close to his age.

Newcomers who have acquired supernatural abilities through mutation appear in other works, but compared to them, the abilities of subhumans are simple. Even if they die, they do not die, but come back to life immediately. But that is all, and they do not have a strong body like vampires.

However, as the story progresses, the horror of this "death but not dying" becomes apparent. We also come to understand that there are means to counter it. That is to say, the subhuman Kei is not invincible either.

Viewers will experience both the horror of the existence of subhumans and the fear felt by the persecuted subhumans, along with Kei, who knows nothing about it. The viewer is taken aback by #01, "What are you going to do?　What will happen? The tension of "What's going to happen? It is a must for those who love suspense.

The full CG animation produced by Polygon Pictures, the company that produced "Knights of Sidonia," is brilliantly expressive. It is surprising that CG animation can depict serious human dramas, emotional outbursts, and the rugged movements of living creatures to such an extent.

One example of this is in the first half of the first episode of the TV series, when Kei is run over by a truck, but comes back to life and crawls out from under the truck in agony.

On the other hand, the depiction of a dead body being resurrected, cloaked in black particles and making a scorching sound, is an outstanding example of CG that visualizes the supernatural. The eeriness of the non-human nature and the strength, speed, and intensity of the reactions are conveyed to the viewer's senses. I think that CG animation has really improved in this kind of rough expression.

The eerie presence and action depiction of "IBM," a "black ghost" with close ties to subhumans, is also a great pleasure to see in the future.

Do you sympathize?　Or not?　Rational protagonist's survival

Although "Ajin" is also an ensemble drama, the story is clearly centered on the protagonist, Nagai Kei. Kei's escape, wisdom, and survival are the main thrust of the drama.

At the same time, however, Kei is in a sense a protagonist who is difficult to sympathize with.

The key to understanding the character of Kei is his own monologue just before his car accident in the first episode.

He says, "I will become a respectable person. To do that, I have to do only what is necessary, choose only what is necessary, and cut down on what is not necessary.

In a shōnen manga, it is a typical development for a headstrong protagonist who only thinks about the entrance exam to discover the fulfillment of surviving on his own wisdom, courage, and body, and to grow up through the bonds he forms with his friends.

However, this is not the case in this work, which is based on a youth manga. Kei, who seems to be somewhat warped, pushes this way of thinking further and lives out his destiny as an subhuman. In other words, he chooses the most effective next course of action based on the reality that he will not die.

I just replaced "become a respectable human being" with "live as a subhuman." Thanks to this, Kei, who was originally disliked by her younger sister, sometimes shows behavior that makes viewers think, "Oh, that's where she's going to do that? She is a woman who is not afraid of her sister's words and actions.

However, if you think about it, isn't this more or less the same thinking that any person would have?

In anime and TV dramas, we are exhilarated by the stories of people's solidarity, dreams, ideals, and passionate thoughts that come true, and we dismiss them as "well, that's just fiction," while in reality, we deal with things "realistically" in order to make a place for ourselves at school, to make a living at work, and to lead a peaceful life with our families. In reality, he deals with things "realistically" in order to make a place at school, get a job, and have a peaceful life with his family.

They pick and choose what they need to do, and do it in order of priority. Cutting out the superfluous. This is a business-like value standard that is taken for granted in the adult world, and people who can do this are often the ones who are valued the most.

One of the best parts of this story is what happens when that ability is put to full use when an extraordinary situation arises.

The judgments and hesitant actions that Kei makes sometimes seem ruthless or inexplicable. It is safe to say that his actions and thoughts are gradually reinforced.

Kei is still a high school student, who uses the kind of divisiveness that is difficult even for adults, not to "become a respectable human being" but to "survive.

However, the fate of "subhuman" does not spoil Kei because he is a high school student. Will he live in pain, with his fate in the hands of others, or will he take even a half-step ahead and live the life he desires, a life that is as peaceful and satisfying as possible?

Even if you don't become a subhuman, that feeling of being hunted down slowly is something that many people are feeling today.

In the midst of the horrific situation, he makes each decision rationally and lives out his life to the fullest. The tense development of the story becomes even more interesting when you think that this is the story of such a protagonist.

The relationships between the three key people surrounding Kei are interesting. Three key persons involved with Kei

Let me introduce three key persons involved with Kei.

The first is Kei's friend Kaito (a.k.a. Kai), who has appeared in the first episode. He still considers his childhood friend Kei a friend and does not hesitate to make moves for Kei.

It is Kai who, at Kei's most difficult time, has demonstrated an act of kindness that asks for nothing in return. If there is anyone for whom the rational Kei would be sincerely grateful, it is none other than him. Kai's role in Kei's future choices is significant.

The other is Gou Nakano, who has been announced to appear in the second theatrical version. He is a boy of the same age, also an Ajin, but in contrast to Kei. He is a hot-blooded type who is not good at thinking too deeply, and he does not lose his natural charm even after becoming subhuman.

The conversation between Kei and Gou, who do not get along with each other, is like a comedy. The conversation between Kei and Gougi, who do not get along with each other, is like a comedy, which is a nice break from the gruesome events in this story.

Kei is rational and strong in dealing with crises, while Gou is silly but has a human touch. Who do you sympathize with more, Kei or Gou?　As a friend or as a business partner?　It would be interesting to see them from such perspectives.

The man who is truly terrifying is Sato, who goes by the code name "Hat. His words, his behavior, his personality, his way of thinking, and the sound of his voice are all terrifying. He is terrifying in every way. I hope you will enjoy the film with a sense of dread, wondering how he will appear in front of Kei and what he will propose to her.

Enjoy the multifaceted and swelling images.

The moving arabesque patterns that appear in the opening, subtitle screen, and ending are suggestive of blood. In the subtitle screen, a single highlighted letter in red leaves an impression against a dark blue background that indicates a future that cannot be foreseen.

The ending of the film is a nice, serene and beautiful image that changes the tone from the tension that continues to build up in the film. Like a picture book of shadow puppets, the images of death and violence experienced by Kei Nagai continue in an indifferent manner. The ballad by Mamoru Miyano, the voice actor who plays Kei, echoes wistfully.

The world of "Ajin" emerges, which is different from the world of action and suspense. A beautiful yet sad fable, the weight of death that one person experiences over and over again is frightening when overthought, but also far-reaching and dramatic, like a fairy tale.

The subtitle of each story is taken from a line of Kei's in the play. The title of #01 is "It's none of our business. #02 is "How did it come to this? It's not my fault. #03: "I think we're screwed, don't you?" If this pattern continues, Kei's feelings will be hurt. If this pattern continues, we can follow the drama from Kei's point of view with the subtitle.

According to a comment by general director Hiroyuki Seshimo on the official website, the TV series will "delve deeper into the psychological and situational descriptions that were not depicted in the theater version, elevating the theater version into an even more detailed story. Going forward, we can expect to see more detailed episodes from the original story, as well as scenes that will allow us to understand the characters more deeply.

Also, it is said that after the middle of the TV series, the story will start after the last scene of the first part of the theater version.

It may be said that if you have seen the movie version, you don't need to watch the TV series. It seems that the TV series is structured in such a way that viewers who have seen the movie version will want to watch the TV series.

What will be the expansion from the movie version, which was enjoyed in a single breath without excesses or deficiencies? Whether you have seen the movie version or not, and whether you have read the original work or not, there is no harm in enjoying the work "Ajin" with the TV series that starts here.

(Text: YAMAYU)