Anime Review: Hell’s Paradise (Jigokuraku) — A Brutal Beauty in a Deadly Paradise

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action, Supernatural, Thriller

Studio: MAPPA

Director: Kaori Makita

Writer: Akira Kindaichi (Series Composition), based on the manga by Yuji Kaku

Original Manga Author: Yuji Kaku

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 13

Runtime: Approx. 23–25 minutes per episode

Total Runtime: Approx. 5 hours 30 minutes

Original Release Date: April 1, 2023

Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Netflix (select regions)

MPAA Rating: TV-MA (Mature) — Graphic violence, gore, and dark themes

Japanese Voice Cast Highlights:

Chiaki Kobayashi as Gabimaru

Yumiri Hanamori as Yamada Asaemon Sagiri

Rie Takahashi as Yuzuriha

Chikahiro Kobayashi as Aza Chobe

Final Verdict: 9/10

Set during Japan’s Edo period, Hell’s Paradise follows Gabimaru the Hollow, a deadly shinobi sentenced to execution, who’s promised a full pardon if he journeys to a mysterious island to retrieve the “Elixir of Life.” Alongside other criminals and their executioner handlers, Gabimaru faces supernatural beasts, flesh-eating flora, and unimaginable horrors on an island that may very well be the boundary between life and hell itself.

As an entertainment journalist and lifelong anime fan, I can confidently say Hell’s Paradise is 2023’s dark fantasy gem that deserves a place beside titans like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer.

The story immediately grips you with its moral ambiguity. The protagonist, Gabimaru, is neither hero nor villain — he’s a broken man longing for redemption. The relationship between Gabimaru and Sagiri forms the emotional core of the series, giving weight to the relentless violence and horror that unfolds.

Animation studio MAPPA once again showcases its prowess with fluid, kinetic fight scenes and grotesquely beautiful creature design. The island itself feels alive — its lush colors masking an ecosystem built on terror. The brutality is unflinching, often pushing its TV-MA rating to the edge with graphic gore, body horror, and existential dread.

The voice cast delivers top-tier performances. Chiaki Kobayashi captures Gabimaru’s inner torment perfectly, while Yumiri Hanamori shines as Sagiri, portraying a quiet but growing strength that rivals the island’s chaos.

Musically, Yoshiaki Dewa’s haunting score perfectly matches the series’ dark elegance. The opening theme “WORK” by Millennium Parade x Sheena Ringo sets a feverish, unsettling tone that lingers long after each episode ends.

If the series falters anywhere, it’s in pacing — the middle episodes risk feeling repetitive as survival battles stack — but the lore-rich worldbuilding and emotional depth make up for it.

Hell’s Paradise masterfully blends samurai tragedy, horror-fantasy, and survival thriller into an unforgettable anime experience. It’s gory, thoughtful, and visually stunning — a must-watch for dark fantasy and MAPPA fans alike.