Hello everyone,
Let's go with another review. This time we'll talk about another quite recent (2008) light novel/anime series named Shigofumi based on an original work of Ryou Amamiya.
Let's start with a synopsis :
Fumika and Kanaka are mail carriers- but not the typical kind. For one, Kanaka is a talking staff and for two, Fumika delivers shigofumi: letters from the dead addressed to the living. These letters are a final, true, communication derived from hate, hope, and love. The story unfolds following this pair and their uncommon job as well as Fumika's unique 'situation'.
Ok, THIS is an original plot (at least anime wise) that has many possible way to unfold the story, this series got into the episodic story type of development which isn't bad to be honest.
Each episode (except the last couple ones focused on closing the series) is focused on a particular death and the shigofumi letter linked to it and how these mail carriers do their job everyday taking these letters to the living ones.
Each and every story are quite good and add a melodramatic feel to this series, but fortunately this series end up with a happy end so all it's good I think. At least for Fumika!
Yes, because Fumika situation is quite complex with her "living, but not living" situation and that adds up to the dramatic build up of the series when you watch those two idiot parents she got in her life.
Nice also the backstory surrounding Chiaki even thought I'd wanted her to have more screentime in this adaptation.
The recurring characters are few, but well defined and with complex backstory explained in detail. There is some growth in the series, especially in the Fumika's characters!
My favourite character is Kanaka, the staff Fumika uses. Her cheerful and childish behaviour is too funny to watch.
Nice second for Chiaki, the complex emotion hidden behind her personality was quite a nice discovery. Loved also the relationship she had with her staff Matoma.
To be honest I initially thought that they misplaced their staff as Matoma looks a lot better paired with Fumika and Kanaka looks better paired with Chiaki!
The graphical quality of the anime series is quite high, even thought I preferred the light novel style for drawing the girls and the background in general. (most of the wallpapers are based on the light novel style). The animation is consistent even thought there aren't many battle scenes to judge about.
The sound quality is top notch with many famous seiyuu working on this project like Kana Ueda in Fumika's role, Fumiko Orikasa in Haruno's role, etc...
Concluding, this can be considered a top class level drama series with some supernatural aspect to it. If you're a fan of that genre, it's a must watch! If not...well give it a try because you may like it anyway due the high production values!
See you soon,
feal87