Past Anime Review: Un-Go

June 7, 2012
Posted by DarrenW

To those who are probably raging for more reviews, well I do apologize. I am currently spamming as fast as I can to clear up those animes on my waiting list.

And today, I'm going to review the first anime that I've cleared off my waiting list, "Un-Go"!

This story is set in war-time Japan, when the country is recovering from terrorist attacks, and facing a politically un-safe situation, where people are grieving and recovering from the shock during the war-time stages.

Being a detective basically sucks. Collating evidence is tricky, and getting witnesses or suspects to speak the truth is even tougher than it seems. But what if? What if you have the means, to FORCE them to tell you the truth.

Yuki Shinjuuro

Inga

And that is the gist of the anime. Our main protagonist, Yuki Shinjuuro, aka the "Deafeated Detective", has just acquired the most dangerous and powerful enitity known as "Inga", a demon which has the ability to ask a question, of which whomever she asks has no choice but to answer that question truthfully. However, she only can ask the person one question.

Inga

But why "Defeated"? Well, basically his deductions are all wrong, that's why. But wrong, in whose point of view? Unfortunately for Yuki, the eyes of his rival, Kaishou Rinroku, the president of a reknowned company known as JJ-Systems. Helping the prosecutor's office of Japan, he twists Yuki's stories of the truth to become lies, of which becomes handy for benefiting the government image and so on.

Well that sucks. And so the main focus on Yuki's mind is telling the truth. The story begins with a murder case, and for every few episodes, a new case is brought to light, of which is solved by Yuki and distorted by Rinroku.

Kaishou Rie

The climax comes at the end when Yuki and Inga face their most challenging opponent, another demon, by the name of Bettenou. She has t he ability to make her master's words become reality. This becomes a great pitfall for Yuki. Will the great detective be able to solve the mystery and culprit behind the attacks and put a stop before he is caught up in the illusions given onto him?

Seigen Hayami

Koyama Izumi

Personally, Un-go is the epitome of an awesome anime. Yes, first impressions might be dull, but the idea behind what has happened to me, is quite original and has its own unique features. The main factor behind this anime is its genre, and of which I think they handled it well as a theme. Things always seem to  lean towards certain theories, but Yuki is able to discern such facts and decipher the true meaning behind the pile of information, and that I believe makes the basis for a good detective anime.

The only disappointing thing I find about the anime is that the plot and structure behind the Bettenou case was VERY complicated. You'd really have to focus if you want to get the gist of what its saying.

Many of the background information is not explained and this sometimes makes it very confusing. HOWEVER, that is why there is a special edition Episode 0 for this anime. If you want to know where Inga comes from, who actually is Yuki Shinjuuro, and the history behind everything, it'd be best that you watch the 45 minute special. It will explain EVERYTHING. However, it's also more fun if you watch from episode 1 to 11.

Kaishou Rinroku

I also commend the OP & EDs of this anime, which was basically, superb in its own way. The OP, "How to go" by "School Food Punishment," had such a nice tune I couldn't stop listening to it just after hearing it once.

The ED, "Fantasy" by "LAMA" also has an awesome sound, similar to that of "Mawaru Penguindrum"'s "DEAR FUTURE". You definitely will not be disappointed.

But the piece that gave me the most eargasms was acutally the soundtrack piece they used, called "Light". My gosh that was amazing

Just some FYI: Inga, in unactivated form, is actually a boy, and in activated form, is a woman. Well maybe demons have no gender.

Un-Go was an Autumn 2011 anime produced by BONES, which I regrettably shifted from my watching list to waiting because of too many animes I took on in the season. It was fansubbed by CCS-Hadena, Commie, and Doki, and has 11 episodes with one 45 minute-long special.

Enjoy sharing!

Will be clearing up the rest of my waiting list: Fate/Zero, Ano Hana, Last Exile, Hayate, etc. Long way to go.

Hint: Next post in tomorrow.
DarrenW
Edited by FayeA