Kyokou Suiri

I think the problem that some people have with the show is how different it is from what was advertised. The previews portrayed In/spectre as a horror, when it is actually just a supernatural mystery show. But even if you wanted a horror, you can't help fall in love with the lead characters and the artwork. The female lead is energetic and fun, even though you expect her to serious and relaxed. There are so many other reasons why this show was so good.

The show was so poorly executed, despite a decent premise, that I STRUGGLED to even make it near the end of season 1. The main female protagonist trying to force herself upon the male interest was uncomfortable to watch, and there was so much redundant exposition, the show was not enjoyable to watch.

The show deserves its low ratings because regardless of presenting itself as a mystery/suspense, maybe even horror or action, it failed to deliver anything unique/special. The animation and art designs were good enough, but nothing that would be distinguishable from any other demon/yokai/spirit/curse, etc. Type of anime. Despite watching 9 1/2 episodes of the first season, I couldn't retain any entertainment or sense from the plot and had to drop it (this would have been okay to watch if I was expecting a slice-of-life where nothing happens but it was severely disappointing to expect a mystery for it to have pacing like a slice-of-life). The show started out with potential but quickly became dull. Terrible pacing and so much nonsensical dialogue where characters are narrating just to fill up screen time with information that did not make sense or matter for whatever plot was planned initially. It might be better reading the material but there was absolutely nothing noteworthy for the show.

None of the characters were likeable for me (maybe Steel Lady Nanase but I mean, TEN episodes focused on her when I was expecting more variety.) It shouldn't take about 4 hours to WATCH only that section about her. The last few episodes were Kotoko trying to come up with solutions for the same issue. Seriously, could we move on? If you want to waste 4-5+ hours of your life watching this, go for it. And there's a season 2 as well if there's nothing better for you to do and just want to use up pretty much half your day.

The first few episodes of Season 1 introduce you nicely to the characters and their backstory with a nice blend of action and exposition. The main female lead has a positive quirky personality juxtaposed by the main male leads very serious and blank no nonsense one. Their "love" story has some humorous moments as well as some poignant ones.

However, those positives are mixed into a show that, almost as soon as the introductions are complete. Dives headfirst into simply being the main characters plus side character(s) dialoguing endlessly about how to solve or understand a particular mystery.

The first instance of this "Wall of Text" approach is at the lake with the water god. This concept is somewhat interesting, yet despite it's first instance still feels like it's dragging it's feet. It's main benefit over the rest of the season being that it is feels better paced than the next main plot of the Steel Lady. This is where you run face first into entire episodes of nothing but people talking together in a room about hypotheticals and uninteresting solutions. This continues on for several episodes in a row with barely anything else in-between and for only a brief time. At that point it becomes very difficult to continue to care about the story as it becomes repetitive and you'll care less due to the intentionally misleading brainstorms of the main female lead.

I suppose if supernatural mystery is your preferred genre then this show might be right up your alley. I found it far far too dull and exhausting to finish the second seasons. However, I will say Episodes 2,3, and 4 of season 2 where by far my favorite of the entire series.

Kyokou Suiri was extremely mediocre. The plot sounded interesting and I thought the Japanese folk lore would take a larger portion of plot, but the show tended to drag on one malicious yokai in something that should have been 1 or 2 episodes but ended up being 9. The music wasn't great either and I have nothing to say about the visuals. The personalities are one of the worst parts as there is very little depth and I feel as if an adjective was just given to each character as a personality. The character design was quite good on the main character and I wish there was more uniqueness to the other characters who came across as plain. Despite these drawbacks none of them were bad enough to lead to me not following through. Even though I was very critical of it, the experience was enjoyable enough for me to follow through. Unless you are interested in ghosts, yokai, etc. and can sit through a lot of dialogue this probably isn't the anime for you.

Visually striking and unique premise combined with strong characters in the beginning hooks you. But in the end it falls flat as it has multiple episodes lacking substance and an ending arc that fails to live up to the first half of the series.

A second season might redeem the disappointment felt at the close of the final episode, until then in my mind it was a slightly above average supernatural anime that fought with itself over direction, depth and tone.

Pro's:

• Excellent Animation.
• Above average English dubbing.
• Unusual premise and characters.
• Great first few episodes.
• Completed story arc.

Con's:

• Sluggish and unfocused last half.
• Unfulfilling and odd ending.