Neko

Why is Aku No Hana in place #1?

First and foremost the anime itself is beautiful. Instead of a traditional "anime" look, the studio opted to utilize rotoscoping, a technique that requires drawing or painting over live-action footage frame by frame. Rotoscoping alongside the thoughtfully painted background illustrations and unsettling music work together to express a grounded yet surreal feeling that compliments the horror of this story well.

    The story spans 20 chapters of the manga which covers the entirety of main character Kasugas' middle school arc. You watch as Takao Kasuga is drawin into classmate Sawa Nakumara's twisted world. Nakamura uses the knowledge of a shameful act she witnessed him in the act of as blackmail and forces Kasuga to perform humiliating acts in order to gain forgiveness. These acts result in a variety of outcomes including Kasuga beginning to date his femme fatale, and the girl who was the subject of his shameful action, Nanako Saeki. All the while tension builds between the three protagonists of this story until coming to a dramatic and tear-filled conclusion that may come as a gut wrenching surprise.

    If you enjoy the rustic vibe of a run down town, like psychological horror, or just want to see something new and refreshing this is a great anime to check out.