Shiki Specials

Jealousy. That is what drived these specials' main characters to do something they shouldn't have. But if you were in their position, would you have done anything different? Story: 9 - These specials can be considered as part of the story but also can be called a side story as they focus on some of the supporting characters of Shiki. The first episode features Nao Yasumori who got infected and 'died' and after coming back as a shiki. She does something she shouldn't have which ended with drastic results. The second episode features a woman named Kanami Yano who's mother got bitten and to prevent herfrom killing anyone, she daily offered a glass filled with her blood however her friend named Motoko Maede discovered this and she promised her friend she won't tell anyone but things didn't go as smoothly as Yano thought. I think for a special there was some marvelous effort made as it felt no different from the actual series (though that only counts if you've seen the shiki and I know some people watched the special after they'd finished Shiki which isn't actually quite right as you should watch the first special after episode twenty and accordingly, the second special after episode twenty-one). Art: 10 - The art was pretty much the same as it was in Shiki which I found amazing as there was no sloppiness visible to me. Sound: 9 - The sound was good too as it gave off the correct vibes it needed to which helped create the tense/creepy mood. Character: 10 - I found it amazing the way they showed the characters as they developed into something much more deeper which is comprehensible as it is possible for someone to have such emotions when they're in a similar position. Enjoyment: 9 - I enjoyed it a lot as it had captured the essence of what it needed to be complimented. However, I'd only recommend this to the same audience of Shiki as it may be disturbing for some people but it's worth a watch especially if you've seen Shiki but haven't noticed these specials. People who liked: Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, Another, Highschool Of The Dead, Shinsekai Yori, Elfen Lied, Dance in the Vampire Bund, Umineko No Naku Koro Ni and Death Note (as I'm sure there is an audience who liked these series) would enjoy Shiki which means they'd like these specials too due to similar auras that these anime carry. Overall: 9 - Overall these specials are really likeable by people who enjoyed Shiki and they won't be disappointed.

The shiki specials were really good enough said. I recommend watching these in order because they explain what happens to some of the characters and gives the story alot more depth. 20.5 i'd say is the standout, it focus's on Nao, one of the show's more interesting characters and it shows alot about her intensions that is in kindof a black and white area. When you start realizing what's inside her head you notice it's more of a grey area and not just black and white. I can't go into spoilers but i'd watch it for yourselves. 21.5 is interesting as well, it get's a bitbizzare towards the end but it gave another few characters a well done backstory that isn't explored much in the main 22 episodes. Just like 20.5, it shows alot of humanity in everything that's going on and it makes you think; what would you do in that situation. The specials show how hard some decisions truly are, and they don't feel shoehorned in. They feel very genuine and real which makes it alot easier to connect to. So in all these specials were great, good character development and closure for some characters without feeling completely like just filler. Like i said, if you're watching the show make sure to watch these two episodes as well. I know that was probably terrible but i hope it helped some of you guys :p

This specials you have to see when you've already finished Shiki but... theyre not to be taken slightly since theyre are proof that everyone in that town had something to do with the outcome of the series. With that being said here are some points i'd like you to know so you can make the desicion werther to watch these or not. Since i guess that you have already watched the full series, you have already compenetrated with the situation and you know the feelings of those who you will see involved in these two specials. The lives of those who are victims of pandemonium are portrait inhere, you will see the impact on the people and how the sudden deaths of different acquaintances leave them wondering for their own safety. (for you to know it, it was Outstanding). The art was not something i really enjoyed since i felt already awkward with the character designs and the colors.After getting used to it, i could move forward, hence the fairness of the score. In matters of sound you will expect that it fits the dark theme and the dramatic and mindblowing situations, well, you wo'nt be dissapointed since it'll merge in a way that the music will also guide you through what the characters are feeling. i recommend for you to look forward to listen the second ending of the series to see how it fits perfectly. The characters in here are great because it becomes obvious that everyone is involved and, decisions have been made; do not expect that people's spirit won't crack facing a demonic experience such as this; knowing it might endanger your loved ones. You will definietely enjoy this since it'll show a darker side to those we weren't able to fully understand, and you will see how the choices they made, affected everyone and when i say everyone it means also those abandoned by god.

Note: If you are going to watch Shiki, I highly recommend watching the Shiki Specials in their chronological order within the Shiki series. This means watching the first episode of Shiki Specials as episode 20.5 (after episode 20, before episode 21) and the second episode of Shiki Specials as episode 21.5. Some sites will not even list "Shiki Specials" and will literally just have them under the Shiki title as episode 20.5 and episode 21.5. I really recommend this, I didn't even realize they were specials until I came to MAL, and I'm glad I watched them where they chronologically fell instead of after theending. They added a lot to the anime. Shiki Special Episode 1 (or Shiki episode 20.5) may be the best episode in the series. It is REALLY good at showcasing just how chaotic the village becomes, and how insane humans will get under harsh circumstances and when killing is absolutely necessary. It was honestly very unsettling to watch this episode, but that is what you want from horror. Now I am not completely sure if my interpretation is right, but, if you want to know how unsettling it gets, basically one thing is that one guy is pretty uncomfortable with the idea of killing anyone throughout the episode while the other villagers are fine with it at this point, but then this guy sees some villagers killing a group of Shiki in such an extremely painful and torturous way, that he takes a weapon and physically kills all of the Shiki there himself, in a way which was still painful, but would end their suffering and kill them quickly. This isn't the whole episode but is just a part of it I found particularly disturbing, but if you want to know what you are in for... that should tell you. Another thing is that while some people are trying to escape a tunnel, they slowly realize that they have reached a dead end, and their enemy will be pulling them out one by one from the other end to kill them. And you basically just watch for 5 minutes as each person holds on to the person in front of them for dear life before being ripped away and killed. But I do think it is great that the anime wasn't afraid to be so raw and go to those extreme lengths. The second episode is also good, but not as good. It shows how crazy one woman gets and how her actions lead to something bigger in the anime that is pretty important. Basically in the second episode you see more of how one character in particular goes crazy, where as in the first episode you are just seeing a bunch of war between the Shiki and the villagers. Both of these episodes are some of the most disturbing in the entire anime and just serve to show the insanity that happens to humans when they are forced into basically a war. I think few episodes in ALL of anime surpass how chaotic, disturbing, and unsettling the first special episode was. All in all, I give it a 7 like my rating for Shiki, as I basically see these as a part of the Shiki anime and don't think they should be watched after. It still makes sense though, as I saw the first special episode as stellar, and the second as good, but not as great. Definitely DO NOT skip these though, they really add to the anime's tension and adrenalin at the chronological point.