Kara no Kyoukai - Complete.
Ratings, out of 10:
Kara no Kyoukai 1: Fukan Fuukei -
8
Kara no Kyoukai 2: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 1) -
8
Kara no Kyoukai 3: Tsuukaku Zanryuu -
9
Kara no Kyoukai 4: Garan no Dou -
10
Kara no Kyoukai 5: Mujun Rasen -
10
Kara no Kyoukai 6: Boukyaku Rokuon -
9
Kara no Kyoukai 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2) -
9
In order to create a masterpiece, in this case it seems, is simply by the level of storytelling.
What you read is no joke - the animation in every single film is just breathtakingly engaging, detailed and unique.
Having seen a story
presented to you so elegantly makes you wish every great story can be told the same way - but what's really special about Kara no Kyoukai, is that its story is as remarkable as its animation.
It seems, every single bit was meant to be there, and the way the mood fluctuates throughout the series of films amoungst the very good character development and faultless voice acting and sound. You won't find this much "perfect" anywhere else.
The first two films are the warm-ups, really, they get you into the story, and show you the characters as the story progresses into the third film and the psychological complexes.. the people you are watching.. in the plot, become more evident, and finding out more about them makes you feel all the more engaged.
The forth film took my breath away and the fifth has such superb, clockwork-like storytelling that its hard to resist giving it a 10.
Six was a change, and not wholly necessary, but still the above still applies, you learn more, and you want more... which brings the finalé.
The final film is distinctly different (they all are, really) and at times it feels drawn out, making you miss the pace the previous film had... but all is forgiven when the story plays. It gives the end of the story the space it needs to create that unique feeling of "completion" - true completion.. and as the pieces fell into the puzzle... it drew to a close.
By the end, your mind would probably be cleared by the simply beautiful song sung by Kalafina (and they do all the wonderful songs at the end of each film) and the final scene isn't cheesy - it isn't underwhelming... its just right.
It puts the story to a close as much as the close of a great novel - and I think its worth keeping in mind, it may take a while before wee such elegance in anime again, and while I may not call Kara no Kyoukai perfect.. it is one of the most impressive feats on any medium I have experienced to date.. and if that's not enough of a recommendation - I don't know what is.
Thank You to everyone involved. It was brilliant.