To be frank, I never would have thought Shinigami Bocchan would reach season 3 over the last nearly three years. The first encounter with the show was rather delightful, though it was Alice’s lewd character design that drew me in. In fact, Shinigami Bocchan is unlikely to be as superficial as my conjecture. There are plenty of appealing aspects of the series that should be highlighted.
--- In this case, the supernatural story settings give the impression of fairy tales or folktales, while the targeted audience is not innocent kids but rather man of culture, as it is mildly blended with blue jokes on and off. Instead of merely featuring purely immaculate and courteous fairy tales, the combination of unserious content has made the show so entertaining that it could make a grown man grin at the screen.
Surely, we are getting nearer to the end of the show, as Bocchan and the others are about to face Sade who is the culprit of Bocchan’s curse. While the plot maintains a light-hearted tone, the main characters' emotions are relatable: despair, insecurity, or the desire to stay with the one they love, despite the prolonged curse and forbidden love owing to hierarchy. That's how exquisitely the plot was depicted, inspired by Bocchan and Alice's tragic yet beautiful love tale. Aside from liking the main pair, the interaction between side characters largely set a fascinating and cheerful tone for the story. By all means, credit must be given to the creator (Inoue) for developing such kawaii characters and story.
Since finishing episode 11 of season 3, I am truly sure that I am somehow hooked by the anime after emotionally investing in it for so long, yet it has never disappointed me. It may be that the main plot has reached its peak, particularly in the scene where Bocchan attempts to bring back Alice by confessing his love. The combination of the animation, dialogue, and season 1’s ED song by Alice’s voice actress, Mano Ayumi, made for a wholesome moment. There is so much more to say about how good the story is; after all, it has finally come to fruition.
Besides, the anime is no way near to receive complaints about the animation, as the JC Staff has done a brilliant job of adapting the CGI seamlessly, unless CGI is just not your cup of tea. To be fair, the animation was not a big deal, and somehow it looks amusing since a full CGI anime adaptation was rare in the industry. I truly reckon that the production team has certainly made the right decision to go for a full CGI adaptation, which has led to the satisfying outcome that we are watching now. Not to mention, the original soundtrack in this series was also a cherry on top, which has gratified the tone of the Shinigami Bocchan.
Well, Shinigami Bocchan is the type of low-key anime that deeply influences those who particularly love it. It has come a long way over the years, creating many lovely and unforgettable memories for its fans. Though countless anime adaptations are released each year, Shinigami Bocchan leaves its mark on the community as a wholesome and beautiful tale with a happy ending. For an anime to conclude is rare; many remain unfinished or never receive a sequel. Therefore, it was truly a blessing to witness a heartwarming ending for Shinigami Bocchan to Kuro Maid.
“Can you imagine a life where you can’t even touch the person you love? The curse the witch laid upon him caused him to take the lives of any he touched. His own mother distanced herself from him, his friends called him a monster...Even people he’d never met spoke of him as “death incarnate that dwell in the forest.” And yet, he doesn’t feel the least bit lonely”.
