There is a strange fascination with the dark sides of humanity. We are transfixed by it, even as we tell ourselfs that we would never do the things we read about. Anime has always provided the stories that fit into our obsession with darkness. A young girl and a very strange man form a most unusual alliance in the horror anime Angels of Death.
Your Grave Is Not Here
Rachel Gardner does not know how she came to the strange building. All she knows is that she is a sacrifice if she leaves her floor. Encountering a knife welding man who is covered in bandages, she runs right into a doctor who has plans for her and her beautiful eyes. The doctor is then killed by the bandaged man. A voice determines that since the man broke the rules, left his floor, he too will be killed. The man, called Zack, proposes a alliance with Rachel to get out of the building. She agrees under one condition: after they are free, Zach will kill her.
It might not be the strangest pairing in anime, but it is close. Rachel seems like an innocent victim, but her instance that she must die hints at some sort of past trauma. Zack is a wanted serial killer, but he finds he must protect the life of this strange girl, at lest until they are free. As the move up through the building, the stories of both are reveled.
A Sinner Has No Right of Choice
With these two as our heroes, the villains must dial up the bad. The building has a special serial killer for every floor. We meet a boy who loves to make graveyards, and who must supply his own bodies. A former prison warden has a sadistic way to deal with those she deems guilty. As Rachel and Zack fight their way through these levels, the question of who exactly is controlling these monsters becomes more and more urgent.
Based on a RPGMaker video game, Angels of Death puts the viewer in a six story building from hell. A part of us wants Rachel and Zack to escape, while the other part dreads what will happen when they do. The show is currently airing on Crunchyroll, so catch it while you can. Given the premise, there may not be a second season.