Kurayami Santa

暗闇三太

Genres: Historical, Supernatural
Themes: Historical
Studios: ILCA
Rating: 5.15 / 10
Rank: #13345
Popularity: #10696
Users Listed: 3,120
Users Scored: 1,231
NSFW: No
Last Updated: 10/29/2020
Aired: July 5, 2015 – September 27, 2015 (Summer)
Type: tv
Source: original
Age Rating: PG 13
Episodes: 13
Broadcast: Sunday at 01:42 (JST)

Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of 1940s Japan, the series explores themes of societal corruption and karmic consequence. Kurayami Santa, a young emissary from the underworld, is tasked by King Enma Daiou with addressing an impending crisis: a surge of human greed threatening to overwhelm Hell. Arriving unexpectedly in the human world amidst a violent storm, Santa finds humanity embodies the selfishness Enma warned of. Without specific instructions, he navigates this unfamiliar environment, striving to influence human behavior and avert a catastrophic spiritual imbalance. The narrative follows Santa's unconventional approach as he attempts to restore order, grappling with the complexities of human nature and the delicate equilibrium between realms. It presents a contemplative examination of morality and the potential for change within a world consumed by avarice.

Trailer:

Episodes:

Episode 1: The Envoy from Hell (Aired: 07/05/2015)
Episode 3: The Honekami Jizo's Request (Aired: 07/11/2015)
Episode 4: Demon of the Slag Heap (Aired: 07/18/2015)

Characters:

Kurayami Santa (Main) - Voice Actors: Sugiyama, Kazuko
Enma Daiou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Shibata, Hidekatsu
Honekami Jizou (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Miwa, Katsue
Shikabane, Ichinosuke (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Ichimichi, Mao
Tomurai, Mutsuko (Supporting) - Voice Actors: Himesaki, Ami

Staff:

Hirose, Motoki (Producer)
Nakamura, Manabu (Director, Episode Director)
Nishikawa, Shinji (Episode Director)
Kumamoto, Hiromu (Script)
Fukuda, Yasuhiko (Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Composition, Music)
Yoshikawa, Chouji (Theme Song Lyrics, Character Design, Planning)

Reviews:

User deathbrand71 (Score: 5/10):
Kurayami Santa had a really cool concept behind it-using retro animation and an artistic approach to tell a narrative in several three minute episodes. That sounds great right? It looked good and it sounded good but the realization of the show couldn't live up to the idea of the show. The story of the show focused on the wrongdoings on humanity. The final episode (also the best one) concluded this narrative with a satisfying ending with a cool moral message and a neat one liner from Santa. So how come the show still didn't work? Well-the story wasn't well executed. Most of the dialogues andfight scenes were mediocre, Santa seemed like a good character for whom they just didn't manage to write good material. You'll get glimpses of quality but not much more. It's not a very engaging show and it feels like there's an indecision on whether it wants to be wacky or educative and serious. As a pastiche it simply doesn't work.
User Wallanimx (Score: 7/10):
I truly enjoy the fusion of real life videos and animation. The few times I've seen it done well has left me in awe, and I can honestly say that this anime has done it fairly well. Human error is something we all experience and this anime defines it fairly well. Murder? You go to hell. Suicide from mental distress? We'll work you hard but you might have another shot at a better life the next time around. The main character Santa deals with folk that have lost their way in life and gives them exactly what they deserve. Is it always fair? No. Butthey deserve some punishment for their wrongdoings. nnI really want to say if Laughing Salesman and Gegege had a kid, this would be it. A more morally upstandard hellish being that wants all humans to do well in life, yet deals with those that don't. nnHonestly if you enjoy Laughing Salesman AND/OR Gegege you'd enjoy this. Its a really short supernatural series on the wrongdoing of human kind, and its interesting regardless.

News:

Summer 2015 Preview (06/15/2015)
Original Anime 'Kurayami Santa' and 'Kowabon' Announced for Summer and Fall 2015 (06/10/2015)