Way to go overboard on the shovel design, guys.
- Summary of Ep 1: Sunday Without God (also known as Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi), starts out with gloomy imagery of an entire village that has been brutally massacred allegedly by a tall, white-haired man who claims his innocence. The only survivor appears to be a small, 12 year-old girl named Ai who just happens to be the gravekeeper of the village. We then flashback to the events leading up to what happened between the two and learn that Ai was the daughter of the village gravekeeper, but had the burden of the occupation passed onto her five years ago when her mother suddenly passes away. When the white-haired man arrived in town, he immediately met Ai by threatening her at gunpoint, telling her he was looking for somebody. He reveals his name is Hampnie Hambart, which just so happens to be the same name as Ai’s estranged father, and the two chat a bit while Ai speculates that this man could be her father. Flash-forward to after the massacre, Humbert orders Ai to dig the graves of the villagers, then tells her that his name is an alias (also stating that Ai’s mother probably used the same alias when talking about Ai’s father) and that she is not a true gravekeeper.
Well, I’ve heard of more insensitive things to say at a funeral.
- NOTE: Before you tell me that my speculation is wrong or that my knowledge on this show isn’t too great, keep in mind that I haven’t read the light novel nor the manga! So I am completely in the dark with this series.
- My Take: What better way to start off a gloomy series than to show an entire village after being brutally slaughtered by a strange, white-haired, red-eyed drifter? I can’t speak for everyone, but I personally like it when a series starts off without holding anything back, as if to say “Yes, this is a serious show where serious actions transpire, even from the start.” It’s a very straightforward way to establish the morbid atmosphere this series is seemingly trying to convey, and sometimes the direct approach is the best one. It certainly worked for me. When watching any show, I always want one thing; to be immersed in the atmosphere. The surreal nature in the setting in Sunday Without God had a very immersive, ethereal, and above all surreal feel to it which I absolutely adore in my entertainment. So the setting and mood of the show are okay in my book.
- As for a first episode, this was pretty solid. It establishes enough plot to stay ambiguous about the meaning of everything, yet still keep it interesting enough to get me excited about the next episodes mainly through genuine curiosity in what the heck everything in this episode meant. I was asking myself questions like “What is so important about being a gravekeeper in a world where people essentially can’t die?” or, “how is Ai not a gravekeeper? What is the deeper meaning of that title in this world?” In a way, it makes me a little glad that no sense was made because I love it when I have so many questions after the first episode. I love guessing and speculation in a story. Who doesn’t? It’s what mystery is all about.
Hi! I’m Hampnie Hambart! I’ll be your not-quite-Vash the Stampede for the night!
- But let’s be honest here; this show has a great deal of potential. Sure, it doesn’t have a set-up that will have millions of devoted fans on the edge of their seats every week, but it does have a nice quality to it that will keep a number of viewers interested enough to stay on board throughout the broadcast. Not only the mysterious connection between Ai’s actions and the townspeople’s deaths, but her relation, if any, to Humbert are two subplots that have sparked my immediate interest. But, speaking of characters, where does Ai go from here? With the townspeople dead, what family does she have now? My only guess is that she will stick by Humbert in his ethically questionable quest. But honestly, the way this episode was set up, any number of outcomes are possible. Character-wise, I just hope that the writers don’t pull a “Scrappy-Doo” on Ai and make her seem more like an annoying weight who contributes nothing but “verbal noise” to the dialog. I hope they continue to develop her character and give her an arch rather than just keep her as the innocent little go-getter she is at this point.
Not really. You see, I’m still new to this job and all…
- I guess that last thing on my mind is the visuals of the show. I already talked about the surreal artwork and why I liked it, but I also was very fond of the character design. Humbert has a very slick look with the all black attire, not to mention the obligatory trench-coat, and everybody else seems to be sporting more “traditional” clothing. For some reason, I’ve always been fond of the “period piece” outfits, so this show is very visually pleasing to me personally. I won’t go out on a limb and declare this to be great (especially not after one episode!), but I will say that it was a nice episode that has sparked my curiosity, and I look forward to gracing the land that God left again, and soon.
