Death Parade: a reflection on life, death and the grays we inhabit (ENG-ESP)
With my recent foray into the world of anime, even the algorithm of my social networks has been influenced. Now I get a lot of recommendations of stories that, according to them, I should definitely check out. And among them, I found Death Parade, an anime that premiered in 2015 and has just 12 episodes.
Con mi reciente incursión en el mundo del anime, hasta el algoritmo de mis redes sociales se ha visto influenciado. Ahora me aparecen muchas recomendaciones de historias que, según dicen, sí o sí debería conocer. Y entre ellas, encontré Death Parade, un anime que se estrenó en 2015 y que cuenta con apenas 12 episodios.
The plot presents us with an intriguing premise: when two people die at the same time, they are sent to a mysterious place, in this case represented as a bar called Quindecim, where they will be attended by a very particular bartender. This bartender subjects them to a “game” that on the surface seems harmless, but in reality is designed to bring out the deepest and darkest parts of their souls. In the end, the purpose is to decide: who reincarnates and who falls into the void?
On first impression it might seem like a simple story. But once you start watching it, you realize that Death Parade is much deeper than it appears. I would go so far as to say that it is a subtle but powerful critique of what it really means to judge another human being. Can we really decide who deserves a second chance? How much do our emotions influence decisions that are supposed to be impartial?
La trama nos presenta una premisa intrigante: cuando dos personas mueren al mismo tiempo, son enviadas a un lugar misterioso, en este caso representado como un bar llamado Quindecim, donde serán atendidos por un barman muy particular. Este barman los somete a un “juego” que en apariencia parece inofensivo, pero en realidad está diseñado para sacar a la luz lo más profundo y oscuro de sus almas. Al final, el propósito es decidir: ¿quién reencarna y quién cae en el vacío?
En una primera impresión podría parecer una historia sencilla. Pero una vez que empiezas a verla, te das cuenta de que Death Parade es mucho más profundo de lo que aparenta. Me atrevería a decir que es una crítica sutil, pero poderosa, sobre lo que realmente significa juzgar a otro ser humano. ¿De verdad podemos decidir quién merece una segunda oportunidad? ¿Qué tanto influyen nuestras emociones en decisiones que supuestamente deberían ser imparciales?
One of the things that caught me the most was that here there are no typical “good guys” or “bad guys”. There is no stark black and white: the story moves in a huge palette of grays that forces us to question our own moral beliefs. As I watched each judgment, I understood that it is not so simple to judge someone. Every action, every mistake, is tinged by specific circumstances that we are often unaware of.
I saw Death Parade ten years after its release, and was still surprised at how current and elegant it feels. The character design is stylized, with somber, minimalist environments that contrast with the almost disturbing colorfulness of the games. The animation is impeccable: there are subtle movements and facial expressions that convey more than a lot of dialogue. Each episode is loaded with visual symbolism that invites you to stop and look beyond the surface.
Una de las cosas que más me atrapó fue que aquí no existen los típicos "buenos" o "malos". No hay un blanco y negro marcado: la historia se mueve en una paleta de grises inmensa que nos obliga a cuestionar nuestras propias creencias morales. Al ver cada juicio, entendí que no es tan sencillo juzgar a alguien. Cada acción, cada error, está teñido por circunstancias específicas que muchas veces desconocemos.
Vi Death Parade diez años después de su estreno, y aun así me sorprendió lo vigente y elegante que se siente. El diseño de personajes es estilizado, con ambientes sombríos y minimalistas que contrastan con el colorido casi perturbador de los juegos. La animación es impecable: hay movimientos sutiles y expresiones faciales que transmiten más que muchos diálogos. Cada episodio está cargado de simbolismos visuales que invitan a detenerse y observar más allá de la superficie.
As for the soundtrack, the music plays a fundamental role. It oscillates between jazz and a dark minimalism that perfectly accompanies the tension of each trial. And I can't fail to mention the opening “Flyers” by BRADIO, cheerful and danceable, which in an almost ironic way clashes on purpose with the somber tone of the series. That duality between appearance and essence is precisely one of the great themes that Death Parade explores.
En cuanto a la banda sonora, la música juega un papel fundamental. Oscila entre el jazz y un minimalismo oscuro que acompaña perfectamente la tensión de cada juicio. Y no puedo dejar de mencionar el opening “Flyers” de BRADIO, alegre y bailable, que de manera casi irónica choca a propósito con el tono sombrío de la serie. Esa dualidad entre apariencia y esencia es, justamente, uno de los grandes temas que Death Parade explora.
After marathoning all 12 episodes, I was left pondering two fundamental questions: What truly defines a person? Can justice exist without empathy? I think those are the real questions Death Parade leaves us with as viewers. It does not seek to give us closed answers, but to push us to look at life and death from another perspective. Each departure, each trial, is also a look at ourselves.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this story and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a different anime, deep and perfect for a marathon. Now I ask you: have you seen Death Parade, what did you think of it, what questions or reflections did it leave you with, I'll read you in the comments!
Después de hacer un maratón de los 12 episodios, me quedé reflexionando sobre dos preguntas fundamentales: ¿Qué es lo que realmente define a una persona? ¿Puede existir justicia sin empatía? Creo que esas son las verdaderas preguntas que Death Parade nos deja como espectadores. No busca darnos respuestas cerradas, sino impulsarnos a mirar la vida y la muerte desde otra perspectiva. Cada partida, cada juicio, es también una mirada hacia nosotros mismos.
Sinceramente, disfruté muchísimo de esta historia y la recomiendo a todo aquel que esté buscando un anime diferente, profundo y perfecto para un maratón. Ahora te pregunto: ¿Ya viste Death Parade? ¿Qué te pareció? ¿Qué preguntas o reflexiones te dejó? ¡Te leo en los comentarios!
- Director and Creator: : Yuzuru Tachikawa
- Studio: Madhouse
- Straeming Platform: Crunchyroll
- Genre: Psychological, Drama, Supernatural
- Official Website
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Ooh esas preguntas de reflexión están interesantes, lo que vuelven más emocionante querer ver este anime. Excelente reseña. 😊
Ooh those thought-provoking questions are interesting, which makes it all the more exciting to want to watch this anime. Excellent review. 😊
Si, creo que ha sido uno de los animes que más interrogantes me ha dejado al terminar y sinceramente son mucho más difíciles de responder de lo que te imaginas. Me alegro que te guste esta reseña, espero que puedas verla.
Lo vi hace un tiempo y me dejó igual de pensativo que a ti. ¡Es increíble cómo en tan pocos episodios te hacen cuestionar tanto sobre la vida, la muerte y la naturaleza humana! Y ni hablar del opening, jajaja. ¡Es tan pegadizo y alegre que choca de una forma genial con el tono más oscuro y reflexivo de la serie! Definitivamente es de esos animes que recomiendas porque sabes que va a dejar huella. ¡Excelente reseña!
Si, creo que el opening es algo fantástico y es porque desde ya te van mostrando la dualidad de todo lo que se presentará en el anime, creo que estuvo muy bien pensado. Además el tono reflexivo de cada decisión, de cada juicio es lo que le da el valor agregado a este anime que recomiendo ampliamente.
This is thelind of anime that makes a difference in me. Meaning, I love the criteria in our existence than we can witness on this animes.
Without a doubt, I think it is bold to judge others because, as the anime makes clear, everyone goes through situations that lead them to make different decisions and without a doubt I believe that emotions play a leading role, that's why it is so difficult for someone without apparent emotions to be a judge.
Death Parade is actually quite awesome, with intriguing moral dilemmas and interesting "gaming" approach to problem of understanding/assessment of human nature. Plus, opening theme is so cool! ;)
Shows that make viewers think are the best.
Completely agree with you, I think the fact that at the end you are left with more questions than answers and that those questions lead you to a personal reflection, elevate the quality of the anime. I loved it.
It really is a great anime, its characters are incredible and the story is very original. Thanks for sharing! 💗
Yes, the truth is that I haven't seen another anime that deals with this subject in the way this one does and that leaves it up to you as a viewer to give it closure, by asking yourself all the questions that I've asked myself.
This anime is brand new to me. After reading the review of this anime, I really liked it. Good review.
For me it was too, and to think that it is already 10 years old. I hope you give it a chance, I'm sure you won't regret it.
Yeah
I only saw this anime last year and it is awesome. The premise that we all have secrets and based on them we can be judged. The plot twists are very interesting too, it's a very original and twisted story at the same time. It's a real gem!
Yes, I think that's what makes it great, that everyone has something inside of them that leads them to make the decision to “win” in the games in the anime, what is difficult is that someone who does not understand or has no emotions, can judge based on an emotion and I think the message that this gives us is simply that we should not judge the actions that another person takes in his life, because we do not know the background that led him to be where he is.
Stories with a dark touch always end up being very attractive. Mainly because of the concept and the way they design the scenes. One way or another you get caught up in them.
It catches your attention.
I'm sure you'll love this anime because the plot itself is a bit dark, but the fact that it's somehow presented with a certain humor, gives more depth to the whole plot. It's simply great.
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