Graveyard Kitaro
Synopsis
Kitarou is a youkai boy born in a cemetery, and aside from his mostly-decayed father, the last living member of the Ghost tribe. He is missing his left eye, but his hair usually covers the empty socket. He fights for peace between humans and youkai, which generally involves protecting the former from the wiles of the latter. This version of the Kitarou story is based on the original Hakaba Kitarou manga, the manga which inspired the popular Gegege no Kitarou series in the late '60s. (Source: Wikipedia)
Audience Consensus
Hakaba Kitarou is appreciated for its departure from the typical Gegege no Kitarou series, offering a darker and more cynical perspective with unique art and sound design. However, its episodic nature and morally ambiguous characters may not appeal to all viewers. The series is noted for its gruesome content and focus on death, which some find lacking in substance.
Strengths
- Unique art style and eerie atmosphere reminiscent of Mononoke.
- Effective use of sound design to create a spooky mood.
- Distinctly different from other Kitarou adaptations, offering a more cynical and gruesome take.
Weaknesses
- Episodic format can become repetitive.
- Characters can be morally ambiguous to the point of being unlikable.
- Grim portrayal of death lacks deeper substance.