Death Parade

One does not simply die

You find yourself in a lift/elevator which stops on a floor. You see another person in a lift/elevator next to yours, and you both wonder where you are. You walk through the room and see a bartender. He greets you and tells you that you cannot leave the bar until you play a game, and you will find out why you're there when someone wins.

Wait, what?



After finding themselves on a floor they've never visited and with no recollection of how they got there, people are greeted by Decim the bartender. A lovable chap who makes the best cocktails (that I know of), and who just wants his guests to play a game. Nothing wrong with that is there?

Well, when you have to play against your will then yes, there's plenty wrong with that. Decim tells his guests that the only way out of the bar is to play a game chosen at random. Guests must put their lives on the line (depending on the game) and only when there is a victor will Decim explain why they are there. From this I got Saw vibes, but then again I did forget that these guests are already dead.

No spoilers!

Here's why.

The synopsis explains that those who die end up in a place between Heaven and Hell, and QuinDecim is the place. Decim is not simply a bartender either; he's an arbiter who passes judgment on his guests by having them play games that put their lives on the line in order to bring out their true colours. They may win or lose, but it's up to Decim to decide whether they'll go to Heaven or Hell.

And that's all there pretty much is to Death Parade's plot. It's a unique and simple concept that focuses on death and games, while holding its cards close as we become the audience to these games. The host count increases as we're introduced to other arbiters and learn more about their duties, as well as this place between Heaven and Hell. Despite not having a deep story line and plot (it's literally just about people getting judged) the episodes link really well, and it's these new characters that help unravel the mysteries of the place. From seeing who controls the place behind the scenes to how other arbiters pass judgment, nothing will bore you in the world of Death Parade.

I'm not kidding either, for there is a funky opening complemented by an emotional ending song. The opening song falsely draws you in as you expect something lighthearted and funny, while the ending song is the cherry on top after you watch the mystery that is the episode itself. A good combination nonetheless, and you're not gonna wanna skip either song.

So if you're tired of anime with living people and prefer something that gives you generous servings of originality in each episode, and a special cameo to boot, Death Parade is the one for you. Whoever thought death could be an interesting thing to create a show around?