The following contains spoilers for Hell’s Paradise Episode 2, “Screening and Choosing,” now streaming on Crunchyroll.
The battle royale genre has become a staple in anime thanks to series like Fate/Zero, Future Diary and Darwin’s Game captivating audiences with their high-stakes, no-holds-barred battles to the death. Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku has joined the fray in the Spring 2023 anime season and is already off to a bloody start. Animated by the acclaimed Studio MAPPA, this series has been highly anticipated ever since it was first announced — and it’s quickly becoming clear that Hell’s Paradise is taking the genre to new, brutal heights.
Based on the manga of the same name by Yuji Kaku, Hell’s Paradise follows the story of the notorious criminal Gabimaru the Hollow. The government sends him and other criminals to a mysterious island, promising them freedom if they can find the elixir of life that grows there. The catch? The island is a death trap. This location alone is filled with deadly creatures and mysterious forces, but when the other criminals are added into the equation, it creates a battle royale in its cruelest form.
Hell’s Paradise Episode 2 Doesn’t Hold Back in Its Brutality
While battle royale anime aren’t new, Hell’s Paradise takes things to a whole new level. The violence is graphic and unrelenting, with characters facing brutal deaths almost at every turn. Episode 2 in particular sets the tone for what’s to come, with shocking and gruesome deaths that are not for the faint of heart.
After successfully recruiting Gabimaru, Sagiri brings the rogue shinobi to the gathering of criminals where the conditions of their pardon are explained. In order to earn their freedom, the criminals will be sent to the so-called paradise Shinsenkyo, where the Elixir of Immortality is said to be found. But while it is called a paradise, the island is far from being pleasant. The employers proceed to show the criminals one single envoy who successfully returned from the expedition. However, his condition is far from okay. Flowers have somehow grown on his body, including his eyes, and it’s unclear what is causing such a phenomenon to occur.
Although a pardon has officially been offered, 30 criminals is still far too many for the higher-ups’ liking, so they are told to whittle down their numbers. Only those who survive are granted the privilege to embark to Shinsenkyo. What happens next is simply brutal. The criminals start to murder each other using any means necessary, including sneak and surprise attacks, but Gabimaru still stands out from the crowd. He eliminates a handful of criminals in smooth succession, using brute force to hit their vital spots. His methods are far from refined, however; he claws and even bites his victims, resulting in bloody and painful deaths.
Hell’s Paradise May Not Be For Everyone
Most protagonists in battle royale series are students or average people who get thrown into a deadly situation. But Hell’s Paradise’s main cast is made up of criminals and executioners, so violence and death are to be expected. Episode 2 showcases its brutality, and it seems safe to assume this will continue in upcoming episodes. The fact that MAPPA is the studio behind its production likely emphasizes this.
MAPPA is well-known for its high-quality animation, and Hell’s Paradise is no exception. The show’s visuals are stunning, with lush backgrounds and fluid, dynamic action scenes. The animation’s sheer intensity also extends to the graphicness of the violence. From maiming to beheading and everything in between, the deaths are quite vivid.
That being said, Hell’s Paradise is not an anime for everyone. The violence is explicit and uninhibited and the characters have no qualms about committing murder. Even so, it’s a must-watch for fans of the battle royale genre. More than just bloody scenes, this anime offers an intriguing narrative and equally compelling characters. Protagonist Gabimaru may be known as the Hollow, but his humanity is already on full display.
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