I rewatched Inuyashiki for the second time somewhen this year and I still love it. I enjoyed other works by Hiroya Oku, but Inuyashiki has this…other feel to it. Gantz lets me feel real fear, enemies that seem impossible to defeat or overcome. Surreal. Pure survival but with almost zero hope to succeed. Inuyashiki on the other hand feels more real and relatable. It made me root for even smaller side characters, such as the homeless man who simply wished for another chance, to return to his love. The show made me think a lot about the topics, the world, the characters and my own feelings and emotions. After witnessing Shishigami’s cruel deeds, it felt so nice and warm to have the caring, empathic old man, who tries to help the best he can, just so he can feel humane.
And the show is full of irony. The punishment, the same old caring man gave to the Yakuza, was one of the most extreme things he could have done. He is able to do something like this… Similar to Shishigami, who can also be nice towards the people he cares about. I also like to imagine the “president’s” face after the world was saved, referring to his last words on TV (which were a bit more extreme in the Manga).
Some shows are just so good, I don’t think I will ever experience something similar ever again. I feel the same about Hunter × Hunter. And MLP of course. :)