Revenge is Bad in Hell Girl

This is a version of a 9 month old draft that I nearly finished then just… kind of forgot about. Enjoy! (Also this video contains spoilers.)
You can follow me on Twitter, if you'd like: / grexeleven
If you so desire, a transcript of this video can be found here: anitay.kinja.c...
Music:
NightmaRe - SNoW
Karinui - Mamiko Noto
Sakasama no Chou - SNoW

[@EverTheAnnihilator]

Hell Girl's lesson isn't so simplistic in my eyes. If you took it at face value, then yeah, the moral of the story would be "revenge is bad", but for me the message being conveyed has a lot more to do with making permanent decisions in the face of temporary problems and also playing God, even if it's just for a moment. Tsugumi's character choices, innocence and naivete were more indicative of her being a child than her being a catalyst to get a really base point across. I just can't get behind the "total forgiveness" plot because forgiveness isn't an all-encompassing concept to begin with and I feel like that's not something that's lost on the show, given the range of situations in which people seek the Hell Correspondents out. Ultimately, I feel like Hell Girl tells a cautionary tale of truly weighing your circumstances as well as how weak humans are when it comes to exerting even a tiny bit of power over others. It (season one, I mean) also magnifies a really good, although overlooked point: Life isn't always fair. Maybe no one noticed that, but Tsugumi's arc is really important because it highlights a rite of passage for her. WE know that bad things don't just happen to bad people, but as a child she doesn't and when it's called to her attention that good people suffer (sometimes unnecessarily or even at the hands of people we originally thought were the good guys), she comes into the person she's meant to be by breaking the cycle of vengeance and choosing to forgive her father and realizing the nuance to her feelings. On the other side she comes out understanding life a little better than she did before. Either way, this is an incredible piece of media and I'm glad you did a video on it, since no one really talks about Hell Girl

[@soschar2050]

In my eyes, Hell Girl is less about "Revenge bad" and more about asking "Is it possible to hate someone so much that you are willing to sacrifice everything you are and everything you will become just to destroy them?" and leaving the viewer to figure out for themselves through the nuances each individual episode provides.

[@MaoRatto]

@@soschar2050 For me, I was engaged with the mystery of the minions. Like why does Hell girl STILL DO HER JOB? POST-SEASON 2? I want to know more about the minions how it slowly uncovers their back stories.

[@purelysmetalnightcore]

@@MaoRatto Season 2 gave each of her assistants their own episodes with their backstories.

[@GuiltyOne438]

I would say that some of the revenge seekers in seasons 1 and 2 are justified in thier choice to send their targets to hell and may not be that haunted by it. Some of the targets arenot only pretty much evil, but are still a real threat to thier victims and others, and a number of the deaths seemed to have been in self-defense. That being said, as the seasons went on, the "revenge is bad" motif did get more and more stupid. The earlier more episodic stories were best when they had moral ambiguity, but as time went on the writers just kept hammering it home more blatantly.

[@alexiscando5709]

I don't know about the nurse who got sent to hell by her stalker and the Mayor though... Even the sensei that got sent to hell didn't deserve it...

[@RutraNickers]

I finished today the 4th season of this anime, and to me it was a good series. Yes, it is repetitive and I dropped the first season years back because of that and later I dropped the second season by the same reason some less years back too. But season 3 and 4 (the 4th at least the first half because the other half is just recap) where really good, with a story being said from the very first episode. The ambiguity of the cases varies, but we keep being asked about the human nature, with new examples and some questionable conclusions, we start thinking if the things bein said are true or not. This questioning and intriguing is what I like about this series.

[@evacornei2031]

WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND SEASON4????WHERE????

[@gilbertotabares8196]

revenge is bad. mmmkay?

[@akiperera683]

True

[@mattlucas169]

I barely watched this show Grexx

[@mattlucas169]

I feel bad for everyone watching this show .Have you watched Hakumei and Mikochi yet Grexx .Great slice of life that’s pretty much expect to be in your top anime that ain’t popular 2018 video

[@vitoleskur]

I finished the 3rd season yesterday and i feel like shit

[@RebelPanda]

Hmm interesting, I never got through the first season because of how bleak it is. I’ll have to finish it, but I don’t think I’ll watch past it.

[@MsSaskue360]

I don't agree with this guy at all

[@jolexhopealfanta7658]

Hell girl is a good series because every episode has a stand alone story.... and for each story was relatable that is why it become popular.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Old asian saying "if you want to exact revenge, digs 2 graves" means the grave will be yours and your target.

[@animaticlunatic9259]

No the real lessons on revenge is: do not leave your dirty deads to someone else. They usually will fuck you up. Tsk tsk tsk amateurs.

[@zomfgroflmao1337]

You completely missed the strongest point, the style. Hellgirl alone is just simply beautifully animated with the yukata flower moving techinque and in general pure style when it comes to the hell backgrounds and characters. Other than that i agree and i think the first episode is still the strongest i have seen in the show and it goes down after that.

[@KajoroBitterthorn]

I'm definitely on the same page as you. The first season was pretty good because of the overarching story of Hajime and his daughter. But once that got over going back to the same old formula in season 2 was torture (on top of the regular torture in every episode) and it was just too much a chore to watch.

[@mattlucas169]

I feel bad for everybody watch this show

[@wild5571]

Season 2 was actually my favorite. The final arc with the boy (forgot his name) just spoke a lot.

[@777holy67]

Revenge is not all bad

[@enothing]

Hell Girl is a true idol in my eye. I can only wish to be so PO-ed that I rise from my grave to raze the very earth that my betrayers stand upon

[@draconicfeline6177]

I disagree - Hellgirl is about revenge being bad, yes, but it is also how many people are forced into situations where the only choice is the sin of using the hell correspondence. the terrible darkness of the world we live in, and the flaws of society (in this case, modern japanese society,) create unfair situations and Hell Correspondence is the only way out. Maybe some people could have used other methods, but those methods were less available - and maybe less permanent. So I would say the premises of Hell Girl are: Revenge is bad Society is broken and leaves people without support Vengeance can get out of control and perpetuate in a cycle that only grows and consumes and Ai herself exemplefies this: 1: Her society is what murdered her, for no other reason than she was different. She and her parents had few options available. 2: Her act of revenge, though justified, ultimately meant nothing. Her village and murderers burned, yes, but her parents are now hostages essentially and nothing truly changed. 3: Ai is then pressed into service as an agent of vengeance, expanding the cycle of vengeance. It's implied that the Lord of Hell is using Hell Girl as a tool to further perpetuate vengeance.

[@draconicfeline6177]

Also, trumped up darkness? No. The world is a very dark place. It is a cruel place. It is EXACTLY this cruel and dark, and I'm glad that you are able to live your life without having to come across it. Many of the sorts of things that happen to the protagonists in Hell Girl are things that actually happen - with disturbing regularity - and the fact that they felt cornered and trapped in societies that did not support or aid them is also the case. That's the thing about Hell Girl - none of what happens, save for Hell Correspondence itself, is outside of the realm of reality. It's all too real, and unfortunately, most people in those situations don't even have Ai to give them a way out.

[@chillyonyotitties]

Right like in the 2nd episode a girl was literally about to be killed by her stalker who was also a high ranking officer she had no other choice but to untie the string yet she's still damned to hell no matter what she does

[@LightningBolt1O1]

That's why the quote "God will punish them" exists, cause we don't decide who dies

[@charlottewalnut3118]

Well, to be fair this is about a Japanese demon girl which would imply quite heavily that within the universe she is in Christianity is not the correct religion

[@oblivion9584]

I loved this anime when I was eleven years old, this and Death Note were pretty much my favorite shows that I watched everytime they aired a new episode in my country which says a lot about the morbid personalty I had at that time and I still have but it's true that seeing nothing else than same old in different package become boring after a while especially when compared with Death Note and it's never ending suspense and twists. Luckily my tastes on divertisement change a lot over the years and now I prefer a good comedy/ adventure instead of tragedy/ horror. Too bad my personality is as rotten as ever.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Ayyy...self-admitted bastard? My fellow man.

[@Colin12475]

Despite the flaws, I still enjoyed Hell Girl.

[@saint-juste]

I loved season 1 back in middle school. Then I watched season 2 and just felt all kinds of awful towards the end. The I watched season 3 and god the deaths just weren't satisfying and the scene they always played of that girl screaming when Ai came out of her back pissed me off so much I had to stop watching. The I found out about season 4 about a year ago and watched it. It was entertaining enough and better that 2 and 3 for sure, but definitely not up to season 1's standards. By far one of my least favorite things about the later seasons is Kikuri. She's so unnecessary and super annoying while adding nothing to the plot or scenes she's in.

[@S4NoctiS]

Completely agree, after the first season this Show just lost all appeal that was left thanks to the overarching development so rapidly.

[@VegasRedStar]

Some people just like the creepy vibe. It's an aesthetic in Japan. The theme is dry and played out, but people like macabre BS lol

[@clayware_]

I actually liked season two. I believe it expanded on its "revenge is bad" premise by tackling a specific aspect of vengeance: mob mentality. I'm specifically referring to the arc with the young boy towards the end.

[@red_five3325]

Which led to said mob using Hell Correspondence on a bunch of innocent people along with each other.

[@janisir4529]

I almost dropped it after like 5 episodes, but ended up giving season 1 a 10/10 Season 2 doesn't have that moral lesson unfortunately, but the individual disconnected episodes were better.

[@AmOkada]

The second season finale to me serves to show how Aí would react when a fully innocent person was sent to hell. The third shows the path of a possible vessel to substitute her and also show some character development of Aí that in the first and second season was almost always emotionless. The fourth is the path of a new addition. I think the show kept going with the message that we are doomed to repeating the same mistakes cause we are all humans, but the new addition in the fourth season gives her input about sending people to hell. Which differs from Aí. As the new Hell Girl’s name “Michiru” meaning in Japanese , she “guides” you too take a better informed decision. Some Japanese material has that “nouvelle vague” vibe and influence as well. That they just are without really having a super deep and meaningful moral or story behind it. I’d like to ask you to gives ur your input about “the girl from nowhere” show too. Somewhat has a similar vibe ,but with different development through the show. Is also about somewhat of mystical revenge and justice.

[@eirinikorozi2182]

I don't believe that the moral Of The story was revenge is bad. It was more about the decision that humans at some point in their life have to take. To choose the easy way or the hard way. Cause if you think about it, it's pretty hard to forgive or forget someone that did sth bad to you and move on. BUT it's pretty easy to do sth about it, in this case with hell girl where you can just make someone you hate disappear by having your soul sent to hell when you die. Most people care more about what happens now rather than the future.

[@JunnaAddario]

I completely disagree with this . You missed so many points of the anime and what it was actually portraying . Maybe you should bother paying attention to the immense detail and storyline the anime actually has .

[@Captain_Bottles]

Honestly, when I've seen Hell girl, it was the live action adaptation. I watched that just because the general idea of wrong doers going to hell intrigued me, after a fair amount of episodes I left the series, but the different causes and ideas through the actions of people were interesting. I loved the cinematography of it all, and it fulfilled the spaces in my small mind. I haven't seen the anime, so I'm glad this helped with my choice on whether to watch it or not.

[@jessicamcneill2463]

It's just what Aunt May from Spiderman 3 said; "Revenge is like a poison. It takes over."

[@thelittletinydino8138]

I think the guy that sent the nurse to hell liked her but was rejected. Not taking no for an answer he sent her to hell then killed himself so he could essentially be with her. Idk just what I thought

[@ruyaze8713]

I don't think so. In that ep, she said she didn't know him. Maybe he just some random creepy stalker

[@alexiscando5709]

@@ruyaze8713 He is the nurse stalker, even then, that nurse didn't deserve to go to hell hence why Ai Enma is so hesitant for doing so, same with her companions... Technically, most of the people who got sent to hell deserve it except for the 3: The Nurse, the sensei, and that Mayor

[@howardgreenwood542]

@@alexiscando5709 You're also forgetting about the innocent guy that got sent to Jigoku for no reason. I am talking about the guy from the episode about a girl named Kaede Inao trying to be some psychic medium.

[@13_Akii]

Season 1 was phenomenal due to its something fresh and new, captivating for the audience at its time. But seasons onwards, they are trying to modernize the formula by placing twist and world building that fails to get anywhere as they keep introducing new elements but didn't shed light on the already established world.

[@alexiscando5709]

All of the people who got sent to hell in season 1 is kind of deserving except for the Nurse, Mayor, and the Sensei...

[@13_Akii]

@@alexiscando5709 Not disagreing with that. From what I remembered, they played on that side of abusing the power of the site more in later seasons, which is good as it showcase the glaring disadvantage of the revenge theme. Despite that, I believe there must be a reason why people view season 1 and 2 as more dear than season 3 or 4, eventho its the same motivation from beginning, which is seeking revenge in whatever form of intent.

[@mattlucas169]

Do a video on “itou juni collection anime,the difference between the anime and manga “That would be a good video

[@eff-fume]

I have seen some Hell Girl episodes back in the day and have read Ais backstory and some chapters of the manga, and already back then the thematical message seemed rather flat and mediocre to me. And especially now, I do not feel inclined to watch it. I can see your problems very clearly and they sound very sound. Good video, though the title is kinda lame haha

[@GrexEleven]

A lame show deserves a lame title.

[@mattlucas169]

+Grex I barley watch this show and didn’t care for it .Til you made a video called Grexx

[@mattlucas169]

This video was unexpected

[@XxInfinityxXTimer]

The only goood revenge is a revenge with no consequences

[@NM-jw9jh]

I don't know why I felt so satisfied after finishing first and second season. I just love it. I'm weird i know

[@carlkuniski3689]

The only reason there was an season two was because there was literally thousands of people who felt satisfied with it... Sooo no, id say your just as wierd as all the other thousands of viewers...

[@sinistersalem1983]

I wish it was real. I would send my ex to hell for hurting me

[@crewmatewillthrowthesehand7600]

that means u will also be sent to hell for eternity and meet your ex there

[@Starmadien2019]

But then you would go to hell. If he's that bad he's doomed to hell anyways. Move on from him leave him in your past. Let him send himself to hell and be done with it.

[@elcapitan2293]

Yeah, I dunno what your talking about here. Quite a few of the people who have hell girl sent after them in s1, deserved it. That baseball player, the friend, I believe there was a rapist or murderer also.

[@tamialuster4666]

So that scene where he's encouraging his own daughter to pull the string....why would he say that knowing she'd go to hell too?

[@ThuNguyen-jf3om]

Just hell girl talk about forgiveness and let it go. We’re weak to forgive somebody. Then both who want to drag bad ppl to hell will go to hell too

[@Nikku4211]

The only thing interesting about this is the weird punishments, but then it seems the context completely ruins it.

[@Ravi9A]

I kinda thought it was an edgy form of panchatantra as a kid.

[@anime-rr6og]

Revenge is not bad DO IT

[@britishcodfish1472]

No one, no matter how evil, deserves hell. A single human can not be evil enough to warrant that punishment.

[@jaykenarn6223]

Same formula almost each episode? Jojo Series: "Don't look at me."

[@danielwong1780]

Same formula but Jojo is fun to watch unlike hell girl

[@jaykenarn6223]

@@danielwong1780 yes, several episodes were indeed fun but the others (that served no other purpose than to prolong the series) were painfully boring for me. (I'm especially referring to Part 3)

[@tecnotrog1]

i love this show

[@justalonelyman994]

Nice video

[@angelaviviv7698]

Hail Gurl :P

[@PrometheanKitchen96]

And most of the people that get sent to hell do not even deserve to go to hell

[@juanpablorobayo3437]

The Joshua Bell Show I would say most of them do. But at the same time the people who send them to hell to get revenge don’t deserve it. That’s why it sucks. They’re dragged to hell because of the way they defended themselves.

[@sneakysneakyraccoon8538]

The Joshua Bell Show how could you say something that is so controversial, yet so brave.

[@alexiscando5709]

@@juanpablorobayo3437 Well, Ai Enma is giving them choices and warning them about the consequences if they sent someone to hell... Even in the punishment scenes, Ai's companion are giving them a chance to repent until Ai sent them to hell which they didn't... In all honesty, most of the people who got sent deserve it except for the Nurse, Sensei, and the Mayor

[@lop90ful1]

I dont think Hell girl needs to serve any points across.As you said its a revenge porn,its shows good and bad in people.Its a very very bleak show and i only understand somebody watching it only if the want to sprawl into a bad mood. Some stories are soo over the top and over petty shit,it is gut wrenching and makes your chest feel empty inside,i think thats what some people like.

[@mattlucas169]

So do you think I should watch this show and after I watched the video .I should not watch it

[@Dansenpai8]

Matt Lucas In my opinion I honestly think you should

[@Starmadien2019]

Why I'm glad that there is no god or afterlife. Innocent people sent to hell for no reason. Also Hajime don't urge your daughter to send you too hell because then she will be sent to hell as well. Jesus just thinking about the idea of damning yourself to hell for what?! A small revenge. What good does it really do.

[@alexiscando5709]

Technically, almost of all the characters in Season 1 who got sent to hell deserve it... Also, you had to remember that Ai is always giving warning that if they sent someone to hell, they will go as well, it's up to the person if he/she will pull the red string or not and most of the time they decide to pull the red string

[@draconicfeline6177]

There is a theory that some of the innocent people ferried to hell through the pact end up judged and sent to a more appropriate afterlife - Ai just doesn't get to know this, and it's a part of her own eternal torment. However, the use of Hell Correspondence is itself a hell-worthy sin. And technically murder.

[@macker33]

Its a far far superior show to higurashi when they cry or madoka magica.

[@alexiscando5709]

Ehh, Higurashi and Hell Girl are equally good, Madoka Magica, nope

[@macker33]

@@alexiscando5709 Maybe i expected too much from higurashi and later seasons of hell girl arent as good as the first one. I like the episodic nature of much of hell girl. Nothing worse than an arc that outstays its welcome.

[@mattlucas169]

I still didn’t like Tsuki ga kirei .I thought it was boring

[@mattlucas169]

I’m surprised that this show has fans .What ?

[@mattlucas169]

Is this a modern anime? .Personally don’t watch it .You should do a review on Itou Junji collection vs the manga .I know everyone would want a video like that .I mean it’s a popular manga artist

[@FullmoonPhantom-dn2sr]

s4 aired in 2017, but the original Hell Girl anime adaptation was from 2005. i've recently continued the series after putting it on hold many years ago. I'm very interested to finish it now because i've heard it also has an overarching story along with the episodic stuff. After this video, I remembered how much i wanted to watch s4 that aired last year. i didn't remember where i left off, but i started on episode 5 and am now about half way through the first season.

[@Ouchthathurt843]

I never watched this show because it looked kinda shallow and I guess I right to think that.

[@GalaxyEyesDuelist]

Ouch that hurt tut. Never judge an anime by its cover. You may have enjoyed season 1

[@assbitchfuck6927]

hell girl is good with its stand alone stores but when they try to make a mane plot they mess it up. season 1 is the worst when it make the main Characters Hajime Shibata and his daughter don't serve much purpose and take up the time of the stand alone stores and are mood killers instead of a character to talk them out of revenge why not they make the decision themselves.

[@assbitchfuck6927]

season 4 after the first 6 episodes the last 6 are recaps