Occultic;Nine
“From Meaningless Beginning to Meaningful End”
When it comes to the supernatural, the paranormal, or just anything creepypasta, there isn’t much anime that features the theme in question, let alone some that stand out compared to the other names featuring a similar setting. Well, of course, you could come up with a spooky club that was featured in last year's superstar, Jujutsu Kaisen, but that sure was short-lived, just like the certain finger that paved the way for the legend we love to pieces today.
“the power that internet blogs hold”
But let's take a moment to travel back in time to the era when One-Punch Man was enthralling the world with anime and discover all these titles that were hitting the screens every other day for a whopping three months. Anything containing the word 'occult' should have made a significant impact, especially when juxtaposed with titles featuring superheroes battling monsters, which provide an adrenaline rush that we, as fans, can't resist.
As underrated as it is, Occultic;Nine for sure is a hidden gem and portrays the supernatural in such a perfect and flawless way that it's hard to find. Few other titles are so complete when it comes to the genre completely veiled in that mystery that gives us goosebumps and makes sitting still the hardest thing in the entire universe.
So, let's sit back, relax, make sure the darkness welcomes the poltergeists that get rather mischievous from time to time, and have a look at what exactly makes the title a gem everyone needs to experience themselves. It’s an anime that’s been slept on for a while now, and many people need to see for themselves, for it’s so different and so unique that it’s hard not to love a show like this, to be honest. Alright, let’s dive in!
Occultic;Nine is based on a light novel series written by Chiyomaru Shikura and illustrated by pako. From August 2014 to September 2017, Overlap published the light novels under their Overlap Bunko imprint, resulting in a total of three volumes. A manga adaptation illustrated by Ganjii was serialized in Kodansha's Good! Afternoon magazine from October 2015 to May 2017.
A-1 Pictures produced the anime adaptation, and Kyhei Ishiguro directed it. The series aired from October to December 2016 for a total of 12 episodes. Occultic;Nine is part of the larger Science Adventure series, which also includes titles like Steins;Gate and Robotics;Notes.
Let's take a seat, unwind, ensure the darkness beckons the mischievous poltergeists, and explore the unique qualities that make this title a must-see for everyone. It's an anime that's been slept on for a while now, and many people need to see for themselves, for it's so different, so unique that it's hard not to love a show like this, to be honest. Alright, let's dive in!
There is an unexplored plot and a theme waiting in the wings.
Now we've had our share of 'NEETs' when it comes to anime since anime and hikikomori are a match made in heaven, if I’m candid here. I mean, ask the N.H.K. superstar Satou and just watch the conspiracies roll in from every direction possible, because my god is the guy some magnet when it comes to those things.
A teenager giving every rapper a run for his money just by opening that big mouth of his, Yuuta Gamon is the last person you could expect to be behind the blog that's had a rather ‘viral history,’ so to speak. Sure, time's not on his side the moment we meet him. Still, the act of plagiarism isn't one anyone can master in a day; even more, if you have to dodge those strikes that come to bite you in the ass soon after you've feasted your eyes on those articles and blogs that make your mouth water in an instant. Who’s even the dog at this point?
From its humble beginnings of teenagers being teenagers on the internet, Occultic;Nine takes turns in every direction possible, making sure the supernatural and the paranormal deliver a performance we wouldn't be able to forget for an eternity to come. The show keeps you on your toes, and at times a blink is all it takes for you to miss that voice acting that's styling at the speed of light for some reason.
I'd really appreciate it if the voice actors stopped flexing for a bit, since we recognize that they're gods at what they do. However, they connect in such a satisfying manner that it's difficult to hold a grudge against the show for something as trivial as that, given that everything else significantly outweighs it when it comes to the show in question.
An exciting lineup, a queue of faces adding that spice that the unknown has been missing.
We all agree that choosing favorites among eccentric, over-the-top, totally bonkers personalities is the most challenging task in the universe. “Durarara!!” and “Baccano!” are the anime that stand out and evoke strong emotions in everyone's mind. But mind you, Occultic;Nine makes sure it doesn't hold back any punches, making character introductions something that ends up being one of the most vital points of the show.
The way the show introduces these faces with their signature and unique persona, followed by the screen dipping into a hue that defines them and their existence, is truly captivating. Their name following suit soon after leaves that unforgettable memory in our heads that makes Occultic;Nine's characters probably the best part of the title, something that no one can forget for the rest of their lives.
The show masterfully executes introductions, from abilities that lead us to believe that the author is clearly favoring certain characters to the fanservice element that ensures we don't feel left out, with girls wielding bazookas as if a war is raging. Plus, is it only me, or do the interval pauses remind one of the best Persona games of all time, Persona 4? Please let me know what you think about this, because I definitely don't want to feel left out!
Properly macabre music accompanies the supernatural animation.
Maverick, out-of-the-box ideas are a treat to watch. We all can agree with that. But you know what's better? An art style that makes the show’s theme shine at its very best, making the show deliver what it's intended to do so without the narrator getting suffocated every other minute.
The animation blends in so well with the paranormal theme that it's almost scary. Whether it's the internet or the sick transitions the show occasionally employs, it's difficult not to be a fan of the art that showcases the best of the spooky internet blend. With just one glance, the show's style immediately draws you in.
Furthermore, as the story progresses and things become more serious, it delivers the thrilling conclusion that all viewers have been eagerly anticipating. The way these characters connect throughout the entirety of the series, as well as the way the show keeps them together and parts them as we approach the end, is breathtaking and sums up the title in a way that none of us could ever dismiss as ordinary or boring.
Well, in case you want the music and the notes to get things going, then Occultic;Nine might just be what you've been looking for since the medley of the paranormal, the supernatural, and the slick music add up to a package that not many shows have up their sleeve.
The journey has transformed from a meaningless beginning to a meaningful end.
I know. The show might not make sense at all in the beginning. But that's the whole theme of the show, no? In a world where everyone lives happily ever after, how would one deliver the mystery? The way the dots connect, the stars align, and the cards collect to give purpose to a title where things keep piling on top of each other to create a huge mountain of mystery makes it a fulfilling journey at the very end.
Knowing more about the characters we fell in love with at first sight while the others gave them some tough competition doesn't tone down the creepy element of the show one bit and makes sure that the myriad of themes that the show features are executed in the perfect way possible.
One might write Occultic;Nine off as a show that shouldn't be thought much about, especially people who deem other people's opinions and ratings as god's voice itself, his own advice to be exact. But missing out on a hidden gem isn't the best idea out there now, is it? Occultic;Nine is something everyone should experience for themselves, and in case you're a Baccano/Durarara!! fan who wants that Ghost Hunt crossover that would never happen at all when these titles are considered, then this anime is sure one to look out for.
My word of advice would be patience; don't drop the show in case things don't make sense or the show ends up becoming really overwhelming given how it throws everything at you in full swing at the same time. Continue until the end—it'll be worth it!
Originally Published 9/06/2021. Edited and Updated 9/27/24.
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