Director: Seiji Mizushima,
Starring: Aki Toyosaki, Emily Neves, Ryo Katsuji, Adam Gibbs, Marika Matsumoto, Hilary Haag, Miyu Irino, Ross Bautsch, Nozomi Yamamoto, Kris Carr,
Running Time: 253 minutes
Certificate: 12
UN-GO provides us with an anime detective story that mixes in elements of the paranormal. Everyone enjoys a good mystery and although UN-GO is a show filled with much to like, the mystery elements are the weakest link. UN-GO follows Shinjouro Yuuki (Katsuji/Gibbs), a young but brilliant detective known as “The Defeated Detective” as his main rival Rinroku Kaishou usually solves the case first. Or so the government would have you believe. The truth is, Shinjouro always solves the case but Rinroku offers an alternative solution that usually appeases the powers that be.
This initial set-up is quite fascinating, as the audience is held to a series of ethical dilemmas. Shinjouru’s solutions often expose the truth as far as murder and crime is concerned, but Rinroku’s ideas cover up any untoward actions that may harm the public. The characters work for the truth and the greater good respectively and audiences will no doubt take a side. Fortunately, Shinjouru isn’t your traditional competitive detective, and he seems to understand the choices made even when he doesn’t agree with them. There are times when he predicts the story the government will feed to the public and he does so without a tone of spite or malice.
Aiding Shinjouru in his quests is Inga (Toyosaki/Neves), a strange childlike character that is obviously not entirely human. Inga has the ability to turn from his teenage male persona into a female seductress. In this form Inga is able to ask a person a single question to which they must answer the truth. It’s a power that can only be used on a person once. This is a clever little twist, but it isn’t always utilised well. Characters do not reoccur often, and so there is never any conflict as to whether a question should be asked now rather than later. Despite this flaw, Inga is a lot of fun, mostly because he is a demon like character that is simply along for the ride. Mysteries are entertaining to him, which makes him unpredictable and volatile in his relationships with those we should feel connected to.
It’s a shame that the mysteries come from the SCOOBY-DOO school of sleuthing. Each episode has that one character that stands out and is obviously responsible. Revealing how crimes were committed and what the motives were are also uninspired. In a futuristic world with demons and a rich mythology embedded in the politics of the world, UN-GO could have made its mysteries so much more surprising and involving. You’ll figure them out quickly but you should enjoy what else the show has to offer.
UN-GO is released on DVD/Blu-ray Combo on 8th July via Manga Entertainment.
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