Hell Girl: Three Vessels

Maybe not as good as Futakomori, but still a must watch for every fan of Enma Ai. The story is pretty much similar to what we have seen in the two previous seasons, people are being sent to hell and hatred is released, though this time hatred gives birth to more hatred. Throughout the season it can be noticed that the creators have decided to use the ideas the fans found rather pleasing in the past. Once again someone tries to make a stand against the jigoku tsuushin, similarly to what has happened in the first season of the series. While new characters are introduced stories abouttheir past are told to eplain their bonds with Ai, this has already been ecountered in Futakomori. There is however something fresh about the series, the element of possesion. It is not only an interesting concept, but it plays a vital role in the story throughout the season and builds up the tension until the very last episode. Unfortunately, what seems to be a great material has it's downside. Some of the grudges people hold against each other are simply speaking too typical and therefore boring. While watching some episodes I actually had the feeling that they were nothing more than mere fillers, which had to be squeezed in so that the series would be 26 episodes long. Art-wise, we get the same old esthetic and mysterious animation as before, which perfectly fits with the nature of the show as well as the score playing along. In one episode though we get even more than that. While watching the finale one might say that the creators have implemented an inexplicably eccentric idea into the show. The effect is awkward, but it gives you something new to look at therefore adding value to the experience. What I found the most pleasing aspect of season three is the sound. Although when it comes to opening themes I preffered SnoW, the music in Mitsuganae is outstanding! It fits the feelings which play a crucial part of the show more than ever before. Some of the themes are actually worth listening to even without the video and voice play. The newly introduced chracters are great, they are intresting and as a viewer I was actually interested what was going on in their minds while watching the series. I was pleased to see how the bond between Ai and her companions thightens. The single-episode chracters were pretty well designed as well, some of them were pitiful, others scary. Several however were completely forgettable and tasteless like a bad meal. On one hand, Mitsuganae combined all the best ideas of the first two seasons. On the other, some of the typical strictly grudge based episodes were not as entertaining as in the past. Mitsuganae is a must watch for every fan of Emma Ai. For the rest, it's a good, or maybe even very good, way of wasting some spare time, while waiting for the next episode of your favourite series.

I'll be straightforward. If you loved futakomori, don't watch this one. It would be very dissapointing, referring to the plot and the story of course. The cases are not that intriguing, relevant and amusing this time around. And the main plot is just not as good as the one in its prequel. But still, the sound and art is great. And you still get to see the lovely enma ai. Try watching it if you want to see enma ai that badly. But do not even try if you don't want to keep comparing it to it's past seasons.

Quick Review (For lazy readers!): Thinking back to the time I watched the other Jigoku Shoujo seasons, I guess this was the one that took me the longest to finish. I just didn't feel like it, and it seemed worse than the other 2. You can probably get bored of it, after all it is really similar to what we have seen so far. The last episodes were pretty good though. A- for fans, and probably an C+/B for other people watching it. Worth watching. Overall: 8/10 ------------------------------ Story (6/10): This is surely the worst season of the 3. The story was not BAD, but it was rather boring because you mostlygot more of the same: People make bad stuff, People get frustrated about it, People get sent to hell. I think I could make it a 7, if the anime was 13 episodes long, but 26 was just too much. The reasons to sent people to hell were also really plain, and you mostly knew who would send who after watching 2/3 minutes of each episode (Except for some rare occasions). Art (8/10): I guess I like JS' art a bit, but some times I get the feeling that some characters look retarded. About the backgrounds and so on, I have nothing to point out; they were good. The production quality was good in my opinion, and if you watched one of the other season, you already know what to expect. Sound (9/10): The biggest score I gave to JS3 was in the sound department, because I simply love it. It fits the series, and what is happening. You never feel like the music is in the wrong place. The OP was really good in my opinion, and the ED, even though it wasn't one that I like really much, was good for the series it was in. Character (7/10): You already know almost every one that appears in this series from the last 2 seasons, and there was not much of a improvement over what we knew before. Enma Ai was great once again, and her servants remain the same they were before. The characters we were introduced to were bland, and some of the older characters also get some new personalities. You'll understand once you see them. Enjoyment (7/10): As I already stated before, the series was really boring and repetitive, so for the most time I wasn't really interested in it. I mostly kept on watching because of two things: 1st: I try to never, EVER, drop an anime unless I really hate it. Some of my favorite animes were almost dropped, so I don't drop anything anymore [Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni...] 2nd: The other 2 seasons left most of the plot developments to the 2nd half, so I was waiting for them to appear. It took a little more time than I expected though.... Anyway, I'm glad I did keep on watching it, because the ending was quite good. But it wasn't always that interesting thanks to bad reasons to send people to hell, and a lack of plot (most of the time at least). If you loved the other 2 seasons though, or if you just like seeing people go to hell and/or the bad of society, you can probably make this a 8 or a 9. Overall (8/10): As said in the Quick Review, this was probably the worst of the 3 seasons. It wasn't as good (plot-wise) as Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, and if feels boring compared to the 1st season. Also, most of the time, people were sent to hell for 'no reason'. I guess that it would be better if the series was shorter... =)

First of All, watch Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae if.. - You are JS or Ai Enma fan - You have seen both the season, and want some 'hell-grudge' stuff - You are not bored of people going to hell Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae follows after the second season of the Jigoku shoujo Series. As spectacular the first and second season were, the third fails to appeal to that level. Even though this season has its own appeals, its not THAT great! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- to elaborate:- STORY Basically, JS3 continues from the 2nd season. As the season starts Ai Enma doesn't have her body, so she passes judgement through the body of a girl, yuzuki. asthe same People are going to hell in lots! and thats 2 for no particular reason. if your hate is enough, even the innocent go to hell. that's particulraly happening here!! Yuzuki is able to see people going to hell, and helpless when she finds out the reality. She is later told to be the future Ai Enma, thtas her destiny (good cliche 4 Ai Enma LOvers).... so in the end,.. Ai enma is the life-saver and takes the burden on herself saving Yuzuki.... how? watch the series (that's if Ur curious enough) The series has its own twist and turns but has tonnes of fillers filled in. i you skip those its almost a short series of 10-12 series, thats all! ART and SOUND The art is magnificent as ever. The animation has improved and is very appealing to the show.. at least that keeps you glued to the screen. Even the OST of the series is nice. the OP is good, but i prefer Snow's OP style as the have done in the previous series. the ending is also quite spooky. CHARACTER here is the new parts. Ai Enma has a new member,Yamawaro along with her three companions, Hone Onna, Wanyūdō, Ren and Kikuri. Yuzuki's part is dull, but her life is full of twist-turns. she has a past quite similar to Ai and is always connceted to the hell corresspondence website or to the people using it . and what else, new characters and new short stories in every episode. Intrestingly, Tsugumi Shibata, the daughter of the journalist in the first season has her apperance in the season and a vital role. ENJOYMENT Not as much as the previous seasons, but it still is entertaining is you like the entire concept and set-up. you get to see various emotions that tend people to send people to hell. OVERALL Being an JS fan, i enjoyed the season. i suggest you don't keep much expectation with the series, at least don't compare it with the previous seasons, to enjoy the season to its fullest. this season has its own stage set up, characters placed and concept running, just sit back and watch people going to hell for stupid and irrelevant reasons. Enjoy the wrap-up season of Jigoku shoujo becoz i don't think more will be coming! i give, Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae- ******* stars! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------