The appeal and depth of "18if": Exploring new frontiers in psychological horror anime

18if - Eighteen If - Comprehensive evaluation and recommendation

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

game

■ Broadcast period

July 7, 2017 - October 3, 2017

■Broadcasting station

TOKYO-MX and others

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

Mobcast

■ Production

GONZO

■Works

©mobcast inc./18if project

■ Story

This is a dream world. A space between consciousness and unconsciousness where desire, hope, and despair take shape. Tsukishiro Haruto, who is always dreaming in his own room, is about to fall asleep again when he accidentally wanders into someone else's dream. These are the dreams of witches whose minds are trapped in this dream world. These are the dreams of these women who have fallen into "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome," rejecting reality, escaping into dreams, and continuing to sleep. Having wandered into the witches' dream world, Haruto searches for the door to the exit and meets and exchanges words with the witches.

■Cast

・Haruto Tsukishiro/Nobunaga Shimazaki/Katsumi Kanzaki/Takehito Koyasu/Lily/Kaori Nazuka/Natsuki Kamikawa/Misato Fukuen/Yurina Kanzaki/Nao Toyama/Airi Kojima/Ai Kakuma/Mirei Saegusa/Azumi Asakura/Yuko Sakurabe/Aya Endo/Kayo Sugizaki/Nao Tamura/Sono/Fumiko Orikasa/Nene/Inori Minase/Mana Hayashida/Yu Shimamura/Misaki/Emi Nitta

■ Main staff

・General Supervision / Koji Morimoto ・Series Composition / Atsuhiro Tomioka ・Character Design / Tadashi Otohata ・Art Setting / Tatsuya Sakai ・Art Director / Sawako Takagi ・Color Design / Toshie Suzuki, Yuko Sato ・Design Supervision / Hiroko Kazui ・CG Director / Akane Nagamine ・Director of Photography / Naoki Kitamura ・Editor / Akari Saito ・Sound Director / Yota Tsuruoka ・Music / Ryudai Abe ・Animation Production / GONZO
・Original work/Mobcast

■ Main Characters

When Tsukishiro Haruka becomes popular, he is able to see a young man in the dream world and a mysterious girl named Lily. He meets the professor, learns about the existence of witches, and gets caught up in various incidents.
A scientist who studies the dream world, Kanzaki Katsumi is called the Doctor by Haruto. He is interested in Haruto, who can see Lily, and involves him in his research, trying to understand the dream world and "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome." He usually wears a shaggy head, a white coat, and sandals, but in his Diver form he is a gentlemanly cat.
Lily: A girl who suddenly appears in Haruto's dreams and can only be seen by him. She is elusive and for some reason calls Haruto "Big Brother", and always appears around him.
・Natsuki Kamikawa (The Witch of the Lonely Shadow)
She is a witch who curses her classmates in the "Dream World". In the real world, she is a female junior high school student attending Musashi Tama Junior High School. Her favorite anime is "Onmyou Gense Yoharai".
・Yurina Kanzaki (The White Lily Witch)
A witch who is manipulated by Eve and has no thoughts of her own. In the real world, she is an idol supported by many people and is also Kanzaki's younger sister.
・Airi Kojima (The Gluttonous Witch)
A witch from the "Dream World" who can eat anything without gaining weight. In the real world, she is a magazine model who is worried about gaining weight. The curry she makes at her part-time job is very popular.
・Mirei Saegusa (The Witch of Mediocrity)
A witch living the normal college life she had always dreamed of in the "Dream World." In the real world, she is a top-class figure skater in the country, and spends her days being harassed by rigorous training and unwanted talent activities.
・Yuko Sakurabe (The Witch of the Movie)
A witch who loves cute things and has no tolerance for things that don't go her way or are boring. In the real world, she is a serious and quiet high school student.
・Kayo Sugisaki (The Witch of First Love)
A witch full of energy who enjoys a "normal" high school life. In the "dream world" she enjoys doing things that her weak body cannot do in the real world. Cats love her.
・Sono (The Witch of the Threshold)
A pair of witches who communicate in different ways depending on how they express their emotions. In the real world, they are deaf vocalists with hearing impairments.
・Nene (Witch of the Sunshine)
She was the first love of King Pol, the dictator of the Kingdom of Varanga. She promised Pol to make the country a warm, sunny place.
・Mana Hayashida (Witch of Vengeance)
A witch who is hunting down the perpetrators of a murder that took place 10 years ago. She harbors an uncontrollable grudge against the perpetrator for savagely murdering her family while laughing.
・Misaki (The Beautiful Witch)
A witch in bondage who whips the students of her idol school. In the real world, she is the center of the idol group "Shark Lady" and an invincible idol.
・Hanako Sumitomo (Witch of Dreams)
An aggressive witch who loves mysteries. In the real world, she is a sickly popular blogger. She loves strawberries.
Mari: The woman who runs the "Bar Succubus." She is a mysterious person with many mysteries surrounding her background, and is well versed in the world of dreams.
A missionary of the Eheyes "Thorn Cross Society." He preaches that those who fall victim to Sleeping Beauty Syndrome are "those who have been blessed by Eve."
・A mysterious person who is hostile towards the Head Priest Akito, the Toge Jujikai.
・An entity that is paired with Ivrily. He hates this world that obeys Adam.

■Subtitle

Episode 1 / The Witch of the Movie Episode 2 / Time Stopped, 12 Years Old Episode 3 / The Witch of First Love Episode 4 / The Witch of Gluttony Episode 5 / The Witch of Mediocrity Episode 6 / If You Curse Someone, You'll Drill Two Holes...
・Episode 7: And No One Else…
Episode 8: THRESHOLD
・Episode 9/Idols don't go to the toilet!
・Episode 10 / Alpha Dream Dimension ・Episode 11 / Togejujikai ・Episode 12 / Witch War ・Episode 13 / Eve's Breath

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1-12
・Red Doors feat. Yoshikazu Mera ・Lyrics by Yuho Iwasato ・Music by TeddyLoid
・Arrangement: TeddyLoid
・Singer／TeddyLoid
・ED1
・Period/1
・Wonderland
Lyrics: Mamiyo Composition: Shota Katayama, Itsuki Fujisue Arrangement: Shota Katayama Singer: Lily (Kaori Nazuka)
・ED2
・Period/2
・Break The Doors feat. Aina the End (BiSH)
・Lyrics by Mary Jane
・Composer: TeddyLoid, MaryJane
・Arrangement: TeddyLoid
・ED3
・Period/3
・Yume Renka ・Lyrics by Rina Sakioka ・Composition by R.O.N
・Singer: Kayo Sugisaki (Nao Tamura)
・ED4
・Period/4
・ANGELNOIR
Lyrics: Ichiko Aoba Composition: Ichiko Aoba Arrangement: detune.
・ED5
・Period/5
・Plumeria ・Lyrics by Jin ・Composition by Jin ・Arrangement by ANANT-GARDE EYES
・Song: Aki Okui・ED6
・Period/6
・Kata Chi Lesbian・Lyrics/Lunar Eclipse Meeting・Composition/Lunar Eclipse Meeting・Arrangement/Lunar Eclipse Meeting・Song/Lunar Eclipse Meeting・ED7
・Period/7
・too late
・Lyrics by CHI-MEY
・Composer: CHI-MEY
・Arrangement: CHI-MEY
・Singer: Nene (Minase Inori)
・ED8
・Period/8
・Sora no Oto・Lyrics: Tomoki Hasegawa・Composition: Tomoki Hasegawa・Arrangement: Tomoki Hasegawa・Vocals: Ryu Miho
・ED9
・Period/9
・Tsubasa ・Lyrics/Gesketsu Kaigi ・Composition/Gesketsu Kaigi ・Arrangement/Gesketsu Kaigi ・Singer/Singer - Misaki (Nitta Emi)
・ED10
・Period/10
・Factor Word (Ayoshi Studio remix)
Lyrics by eNu
・Composition: Tomoki Hasegawa ・Arrangement: Ayoshi Studio ・Singer: Hanako Sumitomo (Shiho Nanba)
・ED11
・Period/12
・Swan Sleeps feat. Yoshikazu Mera ・Lyrics by Yuho Iwasato ・Music by TeddyLoid
・Arrangement: TeddyLoid
・Singer／TeddyLoid
・ED12
・Period/13
・if
Lyrics: Jin Composition: Jin Arrangement: TeddyLoid
・Singer: Tsukishiro Haruto (Shimazaki Nobunaga), TeddyLoid x Jin

■ Evaluation and recommendation

18if is a TV anime series that aired in 2017 and is based on the game by Mobcast. Produced by GONZO, the series is characterized by its unique setting of a dream world and the story of the protagonist, Tsukishiro Haruto, who gets lost in the world and meets witches, unraveling the darkness in their hearts. Below, we will provide a detailed review and recommendation of the series.

Story and Themes

The story of "18if" is set in a surreal space known as the dream world. This dream world is a place where deep human psychological states such as desire, hope, and despair are embodied, and the main character, who gets lost there, meets various witches and helps them heal their emotional wounds. Each episode tells the story of a different witch, and while each episode stands on its own, it is structured in a way that draws viewers in, connecting them to the overall story.

The themes include escapism, emotional scars, and self-acceptance, and in particular the concept of "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome" symbolically expresses the stress and loneliness of modern society. Each witch's background depicts worries and suffering in the real world, and the process of sublimating these in the dream world is moving. Also not to be missed is the way the main character, Haruto, grows as a person by coming face to face with the witches.

character

The characters of "18if" are centered around unique and attractive witches. Each witch has troubles in the real world, but in the dream world they are depicted trying to overcome them. For example, Kamikawa Natsuki, the Lonely Witch, harbors grudges against her classmates, but confronts those feelings in the dream world. Kanzaki Yurina, the White Lily Witch, relies on the dream world to escape the pressures of being an idol, and there she tries to find her true self.

The protagonist, Tsukishiro Haruto, is portrayed as a young man who gets lost in the dream world, and together with a mysterious girl named Lily, he unravels the darkness in the hearts of witches. Haruto's growth and his relationship with Lily are also important elements of the story, deeply moving the viewer. Dr. Kanzaki Katsumi also plays an important role, and the process in which the mysteries of the dream world are gradually revealed through his research is fascinating.

Visuals and performance

The visuals of "18if" are colorful and fantastical, in order to express the unrealistic space of the dream world. The character designs are by Tadashi Otohata, and are characterized by designs that highlight the individuality of each witch. The art settings and color design are also excellent, bringing out the atmosphere of the dream world to the fullest.

In terms of directing, a variety of techniques are used to tell the different stories of the witches in each episode. In particular, CG and special effects are used effectively in scenes that express the strangeness and fear of the dream world, creating a visual impact. Also, in scenes that depict the emotional scars of each witch, the production uses subtle expressions of their emotional movements, drawing out the viewers' sympathy.

music

The music for "18if" was composed by Takahiro Abe and is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the dream world. In particular, the opening theme "Red Doors feat. Yoshikazu Mera," composed by TeddyLoid and written by Yuho Iwasato, expresses the mystery and danger of the dream world. In addition, different ending themes are used for each episode, and the lyrics and melodies reflect the feelings of the witches, making for a memorable experience. For example, "Wonderland," sung by Lily, expresses the beauty and transience of the dream world, while Kayo Sugisaki's "Yume Renka" depicts the purity of first love.

Recommended points

"18if" is a fascinating work with a unique setting of a dream world and a story in which the protagonist, who gets lost there, meets witches and unravels the darkness in their hearts. In particular, the unique characters of each witch and the real-world worries that are depicted in their backgrounds are deeply moving. In addition, the visuals, direction, and music are also excellent, making it a visual and aural treat.

This work is recommended for those who like works with psychological themes and those who want to enjoy a fantastical worldview. Also, since each episode tells a different witch's story, it is also suitable for those who like a one-episode format. Furthermore, you will be able to get a deeper impression by watching while paying attention to the growth of the main character and his relationship with Lily.

Comparison with related works

The appeal of "18if" can be better understood by comparing it with other anime that depict a dream world setting and psychological themes. For example, "Yumekui Merry" is also set in a dream world, and the story is similar in that the protagonist grows as she faces the characters she meets in her dreams. Also, "PSYCHO-PASS" has elements in common with "18if" as a work that depicts psychological themes. In particular, the two works have in common the symbolic expression of social stress and loneliness.

Furthermore, "Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story" can also be compared to "18if" as a work that depicts the darkness in the hearts of magical girls. In particular, the two works have in common the deeply moving worries and suffering depicted in the backgrounds of each character. By comparing it to these works, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the appeal and uniqueness of "18if."

How to watch and related products

"18if" was broadcast on TOKYO-MX and other networks, and is currently available on various video streaming services. There is also an original game, which is distributed by Mobcast. In addition, related products such as character song CDs, soundtracks, and figures have been released, making them must-have items for fans.

In particular, the character song CD contains lyrics and melodies that reflect the feelings of each witch, deepening the emotion after watching. In addition, the soundtrack allows you to enjoy the music of Ryudai Abe, recreating the atmosphere of the dream world. The figures are three-dimensional representations of the unique designs of each witch, making them valuable as collections.

summary

"18if" is a fascinating work with a unique setting of a dream world and a story in which the protagonist, who gets lost there, meets witches and unravels the darkness in their hearts. The unique characters of each witch and the real-world worries depicted in their backgrounds are deeply moving, and the visuals, direction, and music are also excellent, making it a visual and aural enjoyment. This work is recommended for those who like works that depict psychological themes and those who want to enjoy a fantastic world view. In addition, since each episode depicts a different witch's story, it is also suitable for those who like a one-episode format. Furthermore, you will be able to get a deeper impression by watching while paying attention to the growth of the protagonist and his relationship with Lily. By comparing it with related works, you can understand the charm and uniqueness of "18if" more deeply, and there are plenty of ways to watch it and related products, so it is a must-see for fans.