I also agree that only making 13 episodes was a mistake on their part, but the manga adaptiion does give off another feel to that of the anime series! But then again everyone differs in taste! xD
Psychic Detective Yakumo tv Review
Story & Characters
It took me some weeks (or even a month) to think over the feelings about this anime.
On the one hand, it's a pretty fresh, 'bright ray of the sun' in old good mystic and detective animes
with enthralling and catching plot and worked out main characters (and secondary, too; I was surprised by it,
'cause sometimes authors forget about them).
(Note: maybe, I'm mistaken, but I haven't seen lately any worthy detective
stories.) But on the other... Maybe it's just me, but the feeling of déjà vu didn't let me go till I
watched it. (It's nondescriptly, you have to feel or not by yourself)
I can't say that the story is that unique. It's quite absorbing - really, just captures and doesn't let
you till the last episode.
The plot turns around Saito Yakumo, who has an red eye which helps him to contact with the world of spirits. He
sometimes hates his gift, 'cause usually spirit voices fly in his head and then ghosts appear and have some
requests. So he ought to carry out their wishes to help them go to the world of dead and rest in peace.
He lives in the University's cinema club room as he likes loneliness. But if people need his help, they know how to
find him.
When Ozawa Haruka comes to him for the help, he shocks her with his rudeness and that he takes money from desperate
people for his 'spirit job'.
But her close friend is possessed with spirit, so Yakumo is her last hope.
At the same time, around the university and in the city take place a series of murders. Even the police is ready to
trust Yakumo, as they can't find any clues.
Saito and Ozawa begin to work together, and as more murders they're trying to investigate, they understand that
it's not the end. That there's something common that connects all of them... But what?
With every murder, the story turns sharper, harder, like a stretched bow. And keeps your nerves on the utmost pitch.
The characters play, if I might say like that, is quite nice.
The loner Yakumo, with his supernatural abilities interests and charms. Sometimes rude and tongue-tied, but always
sharp-witted, he’s ready to help others who have some ‘spirit’ problems, but for some fee.
Ozawa Haruka seems a bit silly at first. She’s trying to be useful to Yakumo, to help him not only in investigations,
but to understand, that world is not cruel and violent to people, who are not like faceless and suspicious society. Who
are gifted, and their gift is not a curse. It’s a tool to change, to make the world a better place to live.
The secondary characters are also very attractive, catching, and appear from time to time, but in case of necessity.
Each has its own role in the chain of events and plays it great.
Rating:
Art
The art is the good half of the conception and 'a passport to success' of the anime. I may say, the artwork of this anime is really nice, especially in the city and outskirts - well, actually in nature it's done great! I also consider the whole style is 'close to psychedelic' - it's just as I've felt it.
It's not about the anime (but it may appear), but about the colors, art style in the city, in crime scenes. I also
liked the contrast between city with its human coldness, colored in dirty brown, grey, black at night (but the days,
even if they were bright and sunny with blue, gold, they kept the heaviness of emotionless society); and old Japanese
temples,with its soft, light colors, which seemed to be the places where the spirituality,hopes for the better future,
family, love and friendship are still alive.
In fine, the coloring of the backgrounds was filled with accents and symbols, which you are intended to guess.
As for gravitation, physical aspects I found them quite realistic, just nothing to say - animators did them in a great
way.
The characters are also very pretty, the style in general is clean and neat.
Rating:
Sound
The sound is just perfect, according to the whole mood of this anime. When you listen to it, it draws,leads you through
episodes.
You don't feel like it's separate instrumental sound - the sound and the image are so organically unite. The
OST contains 40 unique compositions, and each is perfect for the situation. Even when it's a silence, you can hear
it, feel with the depth of your soul.
Opening' lines' the psycho-and-paranormal mood, though the vocal is soft, the music 'rises and
falls' with guitar tunes.
Ending theme leaves the viewer in some sad romantic spirit with the piano and violin play.
My applause for the great choice of seiyuu Daisuke Ono for the main chara' Yakumo. His voice just enchants. Of
course, others seiyuus are great,too.
Rating:
Presentation
To sum up everything that was said earlier, the show itself is attractive and thrilling. It's not that breath-taking, but is full of riddles, puzzles and conundrums.
The flow of events seems a bit slow, yet it gives you an opportunity to be led through mystery intently and to hazard your conjectures. But be ready to feel 'leading by the nose' with the non-connected at first sight episodes and cases which are called 'Files'.
In my opinion, authors made a mistake by creating only 13 eps, as the story might be told even more detailed. But I was glad to see very dramatic and sharp twists in its plot, which kept me entertained and curious what's going be next. I suppose, there's no sense to compare it with manga - I think it's hardly possible to consider it as manga adaptation, but of course, tastes differ.
I may recommend this anime to those people, who want to plunge into a world of spirit riddles and exciting
investigations.
This anime is also a great to start to put up with the detective genre.
I hope you'll enjoy watching it as me!
Life is harsh. Only when time is so short do you faintly see the truth of things. What is truly important to a person is not money, position or fame. It's about living life honestly to its fullest. Psychic Detective Yakumo
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.3333 (good)
Reviewed by Nessbad94, Aug 08, 2011
Comments
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beckmcq Aug 08, 2011
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Nessbad94 Aug 08, 2011
2beckmcq: Thanks for your replay)) I meant the first manga adaptation with 2 volumes which was used in series.
As far as I know, there's one more, re-edited and currently running with more volumes. I really suppose, that comparing anime and manga is ungrateful business. -
SnickerdoodleNinja Retired Moderator Aug 08, 2011
I've never seen this series, but I know that I like really like some of MTs wallpapers for it though....anyhow, I was a bit confused in the story section. Personally, all of the parenthesis made it hard for me to follow. I was also a tad confused about the art section: you mention it's average, yet you gave it a near perfect score. I can understand giving it an above average score off of some of your other comments, but a 9 doesn't seem to mesh with your words though. That said, I like the length of your review in that it was not too long (*confessions of a long-winded writer*) and not too short, giving ample attention the art and music sections. Overall, nice job on your first review, Nessbad!
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angelxxuan Banned Member Aug 08, 2011
nice first review first and foremost. that tiny print idea was hard for me to read, I had to highlight and copy/paste it down here to read, but over all not bad. would have liked to know more about the plot as well as the character development this anime has. I have been wanting to see it and by this review it strikes me as something I might enjoy. I like short anime myself, I tend to lose interest the more episodes it have, or it can take forever for me to finish it. and remember listing other anime in a review tends to be a bad idea, you have to remember not all viewers/readers have seen the other anime in comparison. I've seen devil may cry and really liked it myself :)
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CyanideBlizzard Retired Moderator Aug 08, 2011
I won't lie, when I watched a few episodes of this series I was a bit mixed and ended up dropping it. Despite my love of detective series and deep mysteries, this show just didn't seem to be my cup of tea when I first viewed it. However, after reading over your review it seems I came to a rather hasty decision. It actually sounds like things improve with it as time progress, which only makes me want to revisit the show.
You did a rather solid job with the review, but I would recommend more depth in the future. While I can understand both sound and art not being nearly as descriptive, it wouldn't hurt adding a bit more to the story section to make up for it if anything else. Otherwise, you did a nice job!
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Nessbad94 Aug 09, 2011
@SnickerdoodleNinja: Thank you for the nice words! Yeah, I made some mess with the art section... It was the most confused for me, 'cause the city, outskirts and so on bgs were done well, but the characters were a bit simple. So that extra points were for bgs, as for me they made the mood of anime.
@angelxxuan:Quote: and remember listing other anime in a review tends to be a bad idea, you have to remember not all viewers/readers have seen the other anime in comparison.
Ok. I'll note it for future. I just couldn't stand, it was a bit alike)) Thank you a lot!
@CyanideBlizzard:Quote: it wouldn't hurt adding a bit more to the story section to make up for it if anything else.
I was a bit afraid of spoilers) I hope to learn from other reviews to tell the story without spoilers in future) *I'll think it over and re-write.*
Quote: Despite my love of detective series and deep mysteries, this show just didn't seem to be my cup of tea when I first viewed it. However, after reading over your review it seems I came to a rather hasty decision. It actually sounds like things improve with it as time progress, which only makes me want to revisit the show.
Yeah, it was the same with me. But I just patiently watched 3-4 series and it became really exciting!
I'm happy that my simple&modest review made you start watch it again! Thank you for replay!Thank you a lot, guys! I'll keep your advice in mind and delight you with new reviews))
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