Unique shows are very hard to come by in today's media. Most shows follow similar patterns and stay true to the prominent archetypes that they are modeled after. Even rarer are the shows that offer truly unique content with an engaging and well thought out plot. Shinsekai Yori fits this description and I can say without any reservations that it was the hidden gem of this anime season. No show is without flaws, but this anime is as close to perfection as they come. The story takes place 1000 years in the future, where society has developed psychic powers. Due to the potentially dangerous implications, various restrictions have been placed on the use of these abilities (Cantus). The plot centers around a group of students that are just starting to learn how to control their Cantus, when they come across a creature that divulges some disturbing information about how society has progressed to this point. The remainder of the show deals with the repercussions of this incident and how they cope with their newly gained knowledge. This is really only a brief synopsis, and the show contains some great side stories that each play a distinctive and important role within the overall narrative. Almost every detail is meticulously thought out, and presented in a very logical manner. For such a richly imagined fantasy world, the characters and their motivations are quite rational and distinctly human. Morality is one of the show's major themes, and how they address issues such as control of power, manipulation, and deception was well executed. Although the characters were believable, their emotions seemed a bit inappropriate at times. Lack of a strong emotional response to various traumatic events was an issue, albeit an infrequent one. The art for this anime was a bit curious but I felt that it complemented the show very well. Background detail was crisp and consistent despite the ever-changing setting. The background music was fantastic. Every song seemed to fit perfectly and gave the show an eerie ambiance. The ending left a few unanswered questions, but the main storyline was neatly wrapped up. The entertainment value for this show is through the roof, and it was a breath of fresh air to see such an original work. To everyone who thinks that anime has nothing new to offer, please check this show out. You won't be disappointed.
10/10
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