Akame ga Kill!s you with Depression.

In an ocean of fun, happy-go-lucky and peaceful animated shows, there’s a group of writers who decided to say “f**k the manga, we’ll have our fun” — and that’s how Akame ga Kill’s anime was born. At least, that’s my interpretation cause, whaat the actual F-

Akame ga Kill! follows a group of assassins called “Night Raid”. A team of misfitted trained killers, determined to bring forth a revolution to the imperial city, The Empire, which has become overrun by corruption, fraudulence and poverty. Our cast members are Najenda (boss), Akame, Bulat, Mine, Lubbock, Sheele, leone and our Main character (MC) Tatsumi.

We are treated to a journey unparalleled by any through the eyes of Tatsumi, where death is right around the corner for anyone, and even your favourite character(s) can get killed in the sixth (6th) episode (After the writers spent the entirety of episode 5 making you love them; the cruel bastards). Being a part of Night Raid is no easy feat; we watch Tatsumi’s heartbreakingly depressing journey where he tries to save everyone but ultimately anyone can die; it is truly one depressing ass show.

Season 1: Are you depressed yet?

Akame ga Yes! To quickly answer the question, I am. Akame ga Kill! introduces a lot of characters in the beginning. Characters you’ll love and others you’ll hate — even the villains have charm to them. The show is beautifully animated, and designed with gorgeous lighting and deeply saturated colours that give even the darkest of souls, hope. But one colour will stand above the rest, crimson-red.

In its beautifully animated gallery, Akame ga Kill! is exceptionally gory. There’s more blood running through the seams of this show, than your mom on her period in the bathtub — which makes it even more depressing, when you see a scene of your favourite character’s backstory, knowing fully well they will be swimming up the River of Styx in a few minutes.

During the first twelve (12) episodes, you’ll endure what can only be described as a rollercoaster of feelings for 288 minutes. While the show catches more bodies than your best friend at the gym (obviously not you, cause you’re a 3/10). You’ll meet loveable, and very very hatable characters — you know who I mean; whilst also watching our MC slowly become as useful as your dad, who still hasn’t returned with the cigarettes and box milk.

Akame ga kill! establishes its depressive role in the first episode, and counties when with the following lines from Leone, Sheele and Balut

“Tatsumi, no matter how you describe it, we’re still murders — and there is no justice to be found in the way we do things —any given moment, anyone of us could be forced to atone for the blood that we’ve spilled.”

And by god were they right, because two of those characters, atoned — back to back.

Season 2: HaHa… Ha.. 😭

Without spoilers — this show is the embodiment of, if you love them, set them free because many, and I do mean MANY, will be set free. Nobody is safe from the wrath of the writers. It’s better to not get attached to anyone, but truly that’s impossible. The characters are written in such lovable and carefully crafted ways, that it’ll be a misfortune not to fall in love with any of them.

The writing eventually falls flat when you are given one-dimensional characters, like Dr. Stylish or General Budo who serve no purpose to the plot and could have been easily replaced with your crusty cum-socks stuffed under your mattress.

Likewise, the writers will introduce more enemies than your girlfriend's Instagram account, just to antagonize or brutalize the hero cast. It is not uncommon for a new “threat” to be introduced to extend the show’s runtime. Random groups of mercenaries will be created to stop our raiders. Which makes you think, does anyone ever say, “Hey, if those other 3 “unstoppable” teams are dead, what the F**k are we still doing here?” Pigs to the slaughter is the name of the game, and the show does deliver on this.

Between the Empire, the Jaegers, the Four Rakshasa Demons, team Stylish, the Three Beasts, the wild hunt and Kurome’s Puppets — our night raiders are forced to fight constantly and return one-man less, almost every time. Not to mention, the actual threat, the protectors of the Empire, the one that houses that one character, we all want dead! aren’t faced until episode 16, and even then, only one makes it out, dead.

Verdict

Akame ga kill! is an experience I would only suggest if you have friends, and want to remember why you should hold onto them, for as long as possible. The show is beautiful, the action is intense and the gore is brutal. They spare no change in the department of art and animation, still-frames are minimal, and the voiced cast does an impeccable job portraying each character. If you want to feel sad, lonely and depressed — who are we kidding, you already do — this is the anime for you. I really enjoyed it.