Humanoid Monster Bem
Synopsis
The plot of the series revolves around three youkai, Bem, Bera and Barro, who arrive at a large coastal city and come across an evil atmosphere, which was brought about by immoral behavior by humans and mischief caused by monsters and youkai. They therefore decide to stay in the city, fighting against other monsters and yōkai which attack humans, making a few friends in the way. Even though the three youkai are often abused by other human beings due to their appearance, they still strive in protecting the human populace of the city from other monsters, one day hoping to become human beings in return for their good actions.
Audience Consensus
The 2006 version of Youkai Ningen Bem is generally well-received for its engaging blend of mystery, supernatural horror, and Japanese folklore. While the animation and music are appreciated, some find the focus on Bero and the episodic nature of the plot to be drawbacks. Technical issues such as lip syncing are also noted, but they do not significantly detract from the overall positive sentiment.
Strengths
- Interesting story with old Japanese folklore elements.
- Animation is clean for a 2006 show.
- Music is catchy and creates a feeling of urgency.
Weaknesses
- Monster of the week storyline may feel repetitive.
- Focus on Bero overshadows other characters.
- Poor lip syncing and stiff character movement in some instances.
- CG images look out of place.