Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
_kelliana
I feel as if the series of short stories was a way to allow the viewers to reflect on their own lives as well as others’, in a very beutiful way.
My favorite stories were the first and second stories.
The first story was centered on a man who fell into depression and faced ailienation. Seeing the things he does and his background; I understand why he did the crazy things he did. Do I feel like some of it could have been avoided? Yes. But nonetheless, I still see what lead him to that point atleast.
The second story was centered around a man who killed the husband of a woman and became her husband. Afterwards his wife made him do horrible things and there was a random addition; the talking boar. Not gonna lie I interpreted this as him being schizophrenic and hallucinating because let’s b…
Read at the sourceRoy2Epic
This anime was one mentioned in the Trash taste podcast, and I'm so glad I found it, it's one of those hidden gem type of anime. One of the craziest psychological anime I've ever watched. This anime so effortlessly brings out so many emotions out of you, really loved it.
Plot: 10/10
The anime is about a few short stories and the first one is the most famous out of them all. It's called No Longer Human, and it was written by Osamu Dazai, and it was the last novel he ever wrote, he commented suicided with his lover while the book was being published. It's semi-autobiographical. It's basically a really depressed, suicidal man's life. The title is called "No Longer Human" because Dazai doesn't consider himself a human anymore and thinks he's unfit for society.
I've seen way too many stori…
Read at the sourcejohnbradshaw
Words are powerful, no doubt about that. Coveying it to another type of medium is not an easy thing. Especially if it's such a half-hearted attempt as the 2009 fall anime of Madhouse: Aoi Bungaku.
Adapting 5 of which can be considered masteroieces of Japan Literature into just 12 eps run time is so short. As a result, most of the time, each story just feel lackluste. What is supposed to be deep-meaning, well-thoughout and engaging are now just pretentious, confusing and comically bad.
And this anime is very academic, if you don't pay very close attention, you might miss the intention the author want to tranmiss through.
The best story for me is "Run, Melos". Yet it is such a simple story. That's why it works pretty well in this format. For other story, I'm afraid they're not good enoug…
Read at the sourceSasori_Nagashi
In short, this anime is a small collection of classic early to mid Showa period (1926 - 1989) writings by famous Japanese authors. It features 6 rather enthralling stories, some being interesting retellings of folklore aimed for younger audiences, others being fascinating glimpses into the human mind, often the author's own.
Each story is totally unique, well told and thoroughly enjoying to experience. My sole complaint might be the introduction sequences. While hearing a short synopsis of the novel's and writer's respective histories is indeed interesting, the cheesy sepia filters and sound effects made me groan more than once. A little over the top if you ask me.
Read at the source1_mini_1
The book is always better than the movie, and that holds true for this anime. I haven't read all of the stories that are adapted in this anime (I've read Kokoro, the stories by Akutagawa, and parts of Ningen Shikaku), but the ones I have read are portrayed very differently from what is actually written. For example, the adaption of "Kokoro" cuts out over half of the book and highly skews the way the audience perceives the characters. This series can be sort of dangerous to a western audience, that has no idea of what the original stories are about. However, the anime is definitely focused towards, of course, a Japanese audience (which are highly familiar with the stories and what happens) so the staff in charge of the anime has more flexibility to interpret the story in a way that is diffe…
Read at the sourcehallythemartian
You know, there's always this one anime that just makes your mind blow. You have a lot of things to say about it, either in a good or a bad way, that you can't say anything. Well, Aoi Bungaku Series is one of those animes. And you either like it or hate it, there's no in between. In my case, I pretty much liked it.
The whole concept of an anime that adapts six modern classics of Japanese literature is already original; I don't think I've ever seen something like that before.
Since the anime is divided into 6 arcs that are totally unrelated, I'll be reviewing every arc's story individually.
STORY:
- No Longer Human (episode 1-4) : The fascinating story of a young man who is caught between the breakup of the traditions of a northern Japanese aristocratic family and the impact of Western…
Read at the sourcetsuki02
Aoi Bungaku Series is six works of Japanese literature packed into twelve episodes. Perhaps that sounds dull—I mean, old literature always seems kinda boring, but this series presents themes of human morality and emotions in a very different way. Think of this as six different psychological, very short anime if you will, each one with a different topic to make you think about.
Firstly: The narrator at the beginning. He's great, and there's this eerie background music playing in the beginning as he asks us to please watch. The way he introduces the authors' lives (...All of them seem to be very sad. I'm not sure why.) and the topics is much better than any OP that could have been used. Unfortunately, the ED is really, really bad. It has a gloomy tone to it which does fit the series, but I…
Read at the sourceberserkersoul
*THIS ANIME CONTAINS TRIGGERS/GRAPHIC SCENES! PLEASE WATCH CAREFULLY!*
~~~READ "IN SHORTS" FOR THE GIST
This anime is an adaptation of 6 modern japanese pieces of literature:
~No Longer Human (NLH): (episodes 1-4) a rich student who wants to be an artist gets lost in his dreams and falls prey to drugs and alcohol in the mist of his depression
~In the Forest, Under the Cherry Blossom in Full Bloom:(5-6) a mountain man falls in love with a woman who forces him to kill to fulfill her wants
~Kokoro: (7-8) a scholar invites a monk (his childhood friend) to stay with him where the landlords are a mother and her daughter. the monk falls in love with the daughter. the anime shows both the scholar and the monk's side of the story
~Run, Melos!: (9-10) a young man and his best friend make a promi…
Read at the sourceLebronsHairline
As a huge fan of the psychological (mostly thriller) genre, this anime was a diamond in the rough. I have not seen a series that did so well in presenting and going through human psychology. Not only that but, Aoi Bungaku also takes a look at issues involving human morality. The whole series consists of 6 works of fiction from Japanese authors. On the surface the idea sounds dull as it relates with classic Japanese literature, which as we’ve seen in multiple school SoL anime, are apparently a bore to read. Though I don’t know what the original pieces of work were like, I can say without a doubt that this adaptation turns these suggested ‘boring’ pieces of literature into something very interesting that will open your mind to a different perspective on human psychology and morality.
Art/A…
Read at the sourceFlawfinder
Back when Madhouse was at its peak, one of their more ambitious projects was to adapt six classic short stories from Japanese literature with a different director attached to each story, minus the last two which were done by the same director because he chose to adapt the two shortest stories of the bunch and only needed one episode for each one. The only connecting thread between these stories is the opening narration done by some Japanese guy trying to evoke Rod Sterling and failing massively at it, and the fact that each adapted story is a depressing look at humanity's dark side and not for anyone who gets their kicks out of watching The Brady Bunch.
And when I say they're different from each other beyond those qualities I just mentioned, I do mean different. Different authors (barring…
Read at the sourceliteraturenerd
Overview:
If you have never heard of Aoi Bungaku, don't be ashamed. It is NOT a well known series at all. This is unfortunate, because in both popularity and rating it is one of the most criminally underrated anime on all of MAL. What makes this anime good? I will try to do it some justice and explain.
Story: 10/10
Aoi Bungaku is an anthology of stories taken from classic Japanese literature. The most famous of the stories featured is the short novel "No Longer Human" which is covered in episodes 1-4. The story is about a tortured young artist who as a child was sexually abused by his maid and emotionally abused by his politician father. As a result, the narrator feels alienated from society and never reveals his true emotions to others. He wears a mask until he becomes hollow and dead…
Read at the sourcejdbe
Anime being based on manga adaptions are very much common place, in fact, I'm not sure if I know an anime not based off an adaption. However, anime's based on old novels are very rare, and Aoi Bungaku is one of those rare types.
Aoi Bungaku (Or Blue/Evergreen literature) follows the adaptions of some of the most popular Japanese literature in the mid 20th century, and how their messages still resonate today.
As for the story, Aoi Bungaku is split into 5 arcs, one 4 episode arc with three 2 episode arcs. The last 2 episode can be left as either separate stories or together as they contain the same characters, setting ext. Furthermore, the show contains a male narrator (or guide) who not only tells us about how the books came about, but the psychology and personality of the writers themsel…
Read at the sourceShinokoSensei
Aoi Bungaku is a series of short stories, all of which are based off of classic Japanese Literature. This is a very good series, but it has problems. Because there are six separate stories there is a massive difference in quality depending on the episode arc, so I will break it down accordingly.
No Longer Human (episode 1–4): This is truly a masterpiece. I don't know why they lead with this one, because none of the subsequent stories live up to it. 10.
Sakura no mori no mankai no shita (episode 5–6): The story was good, but I can't give the staff much credit for that, and it took back seat to mediocre singing giving it the feel of an overblown music video. More of the story would have been nice. 6.
Kokoro (episode 7–8): This one almost needs to be broken down again. The first episode is…
Read at the sourceAyuuki-chan
Encouraged by this all positive voices, I decided to check is it really worth to meet mentioned title. Aoi Bungaku, known also as Blue Literature caused in me wave of disgust than delight on epic masterpiece, which it is praised in every possible way. I’m not sure I watched exactly the same anime…So, it’s time to tell about concrets…
It might seem those 12 episodes escaped my memory but, unfortunately, mistake. First history called No Longer Human / Ningen Shikkaku, which was written by Dazai Osamu was literally zenith of everything. Some people search in it biographical conditions, but if that so, author must had ,,interesting” life. Peculiar visions, schizophrenic tendency – yes, it difficult to be bored. Finishing this arc, I really haven’t known what creators have on theirs mind. Afte…
Read at the sourcetrzr23
For a long time now, the psychology genre has been dominated by the likes of Elfen Lied, Higurashi, Monster and Requiem for a Phantom. All these anime looked at psychology as the mindset of a murderer or the troubled past of the protagonist, and there were also shows like Death Note, which focused on the psychological warfare of two geniuses. This has been the way anime have defined the psychology genre for years.
But, as always, along comes a player that changes the way the game is played.
Aoi Bungaku Series thrusts you into the shoes of the protagonists and synchronizes their brain to yours. It gives you a spectacularly detailed insight into their thoughts and feelings, all while following an intense storyline.
The show is the anime adaptation of several literary masterpieces in Japa…
Read at the source8thSin
"Masterpieces are Blue."
'Aoi Bungaku Series' (literally 'Blue Literature Series') is an anime adaptation of 6 Japanese masterpiece novels of 20th century, in commemoration of 100th anniversary of Dazai Osamu's birth (the author of 'No Longer Human' and 'Run, Melos!').
The color blue symbolizes youth in Japan. These works of literature are forever young, in context, the title of this anime series is 'Timeless Japanese Classics'.
STORY:
Novel adaptations,
Ep1~4: 'No Longer Human' (Dazai Osamu)
Ep5~6: 'Under the Full Bloom of Cherry Blossom Forest' (Sakaguchi Ango) Ep7~8: 'Kokoro' (Natsume Souseki)
Ep9~10: 'Run, Melos!' (Dazai Osamu)
Ep11: 'The Spider's Thread' (Akutagawa Ryuunosuke)
Ep12: 'Hell Screen' (Akutagawa Ryuunosuke)
Being true Japanese classics, every piece of original literatu…
Read at the sourceaindah
Let's be clear about one thing: Aoi Bungaku IS a masterpiece. Although it consists of six different stories, it is, nonetheless, a unified piece of art. The stories are connected via there deep metaphorisation, and through a sense of lingering despair intertwined with specks of hope and light.
The animation is exquisite; the artwork is truly magnificent and the enjoyment of watching an anime with this level of animation cannot fail to make you happy and satisfied.
Of course, the animation in Aoi Bungaku reflects the depth of the stories, and the complexity of its characters. Although I like to watch an occasional storyless series filled with fanservice, series like Aoi Bungaku are the reason why I am so devoted to watching anime.
I don't think that there is a need for a close inspection…
Read at the sourceMoritsune
"Brilliant" is what I first thought when watching this series, "how artfully, and thoughtfully they have captured these stories on screen". Even though I had not read any of the stories these adaptations were based on , there was no doubt to me that they were masterful interpretations, whether they were honest to the original or not. I was overjoyed by this sterling example of what, let us say "higher" animation ought to be. Well, at least one type of "high" animation. Everything about these adaptations is wonderful. Animation, dialogue, scenery, pacing, comedy, general awkwardness; it all culminates in a truly remarkable atmosphere.
I have since read three of the stories that were adapted: No Longer Human, In the Woods (or whatever you wanna call it), and Spider's Thread. They are all gre…
Read at the sourceMoonfrost
One thing I have learned after finishing this series, that the world and its society is a one cruel place full with violence, madness, and betrayal, or in the other hand, overpowered by those with the authority.
Story: 9/10
The Anime itself is divided into 6 different famous Japanese literatures made by famous authors from the past and all of the arcs has no connection with the others, but don't let this make you down because those 6 literatures sure were masterpieces indeed. You may prefer some arcs over the others, but overall it was a roller coaster full of emotions. One has to think deeper to get the full and real meaning of each arc, or as an english teacher would say, you need to think outside the box. You wouldn't really expect what to happen next since it's like a train of irony.…
Read at the sourcedvl_
"Masterpieces are blue", says the man at the start of every episode. Blue, because the color represents tragedy and sadness, and that's certainly what this is about, as every character in their arc experiences hard moments in his or her life, which they overcome or not.
A terrific anime with beautiful art and well-adapted stories of classic Japanese authors and every single one of them interesting.
I believe some may not like it due to the negative vibe the anime shows, during literally every arc. Yes, the anime is not one of those you watch sitting and laughing in front of your TV or monitor, which is one of the factors that makes it enjoyable for some, for me as well.
It doesn't have many flaws and easily it's one of the best of the fall '09 season. The only thing I don't like about i…
Read at the source