As a connoisseur of both anime and live-action adaptations, I must say that the 2015 Japanese series of “Death Note” truly stands out among its peers. The intricate weaving of Japanese mythology and occult elements, coupled with the original manga as its source material, creates a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The transformation of Light from an innocent student to a cold-blooded killer is a testament to the power of storytelling and human nature.
Once upon a time, dark fantasy was a less common genre, offering only a limited number of TV series and films. However, the emergence of adult-oriented cartoons and innovative applications of computer-generated imagery have made it more approachable for many. Nowadays, myths and legends are widely enjoyed as sources of entertainment, and numerous modern shows incorporate aspects of dark fantasy into their storylines.
In various parts of the world, dark fantasy proves to be particularly captivating due to diverse cultures and languages offering unique perspectives on the supernatural, terror, or enigma. Remarkably, most of the following TV series were initially produced in a tongue other than English; however, you’ll be glad to know that dubbed and subtitled versions are widely available for nearly all of them.
6 DarK
A Terrifying Vision Of Time Travel
- Language: German
- Directed By: Baran bo Odar
- Written By: Jantje Friese, Ronny Schalk, Marc O. Seng
- Release Date: December 1st, 2017
1. Title fittingly captures the essence of the series, blending a grim, futuristic fantasy with interwoven social conflicts and age-old sorcery. The spine-tingling narrative unfolds within a quaint town where everyone seems overly familiar, particularly the elders who conceal more than just a few juicy secrets from their families.
This tale follows the usual pattern of small-town love and sorrow, but takes an unexpected turn when a child disappears, marking the second such incident in town history. The missing children are connected to a forest cave on the outskirts, shrouded in mystery with tales ranging from ghosts to trolls. However, it’s eventually revealed that the cave possesses the power of time travel. One character spends their entire life, and potentially more if we consider multiple lifetimes when calculating, trying to unravel the enigmas hidden within the cave.
5 Les Revenants
A Mysterious Riddle Of The Returning Dead
- Language: French
- Directed By: Fabrice Gobert, Frédéric Mermoud, Frédéric Goupil
- Adapted From: “They Came Back” a movie written and directed by Robin Campillo
- Release Date: November 26th, 2012
The series titled “The Returned” in English gained recognition among North American viewers, even with its foreign language, due to its captivating plot. As the title implies, it revolves around individuals who return to their small French hometown, but what sets it apart is that they’re resurrected from the dead.
As I delve deeper into this eerie town, it’s not just spectral figures of long-dead ghosts or zombies that I encounter, but people who’ve met their untimely ends – accidents, illnesses, even suicide. Yet, there’s an uncanny normality about their reappearance, as if their departures never occurred. But beneath the surface tranquility lurks a web of tragic tales and hidden secrets. The plot twists further when bizarre occurrences start unfolding: the city reservoir mysteriously drains, revealing decaying carcasses and a crumbling church steeple among other haunting sights.
4 Beforeigners
A Fantastic Twist On A Real Social Issue
- Language: Norwegian
- Directed By: Jens Lien
- Written By: Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin
- Release Date: August 21st, 2019
In modern-day Oslo, there’s an unusual influx of individuals hailing from various periods in history, not just recent migrants but people from eras such as Victorian London, the Stone Age, and even Vikings. This unique tale revolves around their integration into contemporary Norwegian society.
This show offers a blend of humor, using the “fish-out-of-water” concept, and a dose of terror and mystery. As the townsfolk begin to unravel the enigma of time travel, the suspense intensifies significantly. The second season delves into a sequence of murders linked to Jack the Ripper, a character so frightening that even a Viking would quiver in fear.
3 Death Note
A Chilling Vision Of The Afterlife
- Language: Japanese
- Directed By: Ryūichi Inomata, Ryō Nishimura, Marie Iwasaki
- Adapted From: “Death Note” by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
- Release Date: July 5th, 2015
The 2006 animated series produced by renowned studio Madhouse remains a timeless adaptation that continues to impress today. While not every live-action attempt to bring the series to life was successful, the 2015 Japanese series received praise from both fans and critics, as it stays faithful to the original manga instead of the well-known cartoon.
Exploring the intricacies of Japanese spiritual beliefs regarding the afterlife, “Death Note” delves less into post-death events and more about the methods by which individuals meet their demise. The central character, humorously named Light, initially portrayed as an exemplary student and son, undergoes a chilling transformation once he gains control over life and death. This narrative unfolds the journey of his descent from an intelligent, optimistic student into a ruthless, psychopathic figure.
2 Katla
The Real Land Of Ice And Fire
- Language: Icelandic
- Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur, Börkur Sigþórsson, Þóra Hilmarsdóttir
- Written By: Sigurjón Kjartansson, , Davíð Már Stefánsson, Lilja Sigurðardóttir
- Release Date: June 17th, 2021
A significant portion of Iceland’s energy comes from geothermal power, sourced from its hot springs and volcanic activity beneath the land. One such active volcano is Katla, a genuine location in Iceland that adds an authentic touch to this gripping tale.
In this narrative, the continuous eruption of the volcano Katla has persisted for an entire year, causing the nearby town of Vík to be almost entirely deserted, with only a few determined residents remaining. However, people who appear from the volcanic debris are reported, but they seem to hail from eras long past, leading to whispers about “changelings” or mythical beings that assume human form according to local legends.
1 Kingdom
The Medieval Undead And The Joseon Dynasty
- Language: Korean
- Directed By: Kim Seong-hun and Park In-je
- Adapted From: “The Kingdom of the Gods” by Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyung-il
- Release Date: January 25th, 2019
17th-century period piece set during the Joseon Dynasty, where the intriguing scenery and clothing captivate you right away. The narrative also features the thrilling journey of a prince battling against a tyrannical, corrupt administration as well as a zombie epidemic that threatens his homeland’s freedom.
Initially, it appears that the king is suffering from either smallpox or chickenpox, yet whispers circulate suggesting his demise. The Crown Prince insists on visiting him, but is hindered by his stepmother who is relatively young. Although filial piety obliges the prince to comply with his parents’ wishes, since he’s permitted to leave the palace, he opts to seek out the physician responsible for treating his father in order to uncover the truth.
Read More
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- USD MYR PREDICTION
- USD PHP PREDICTION
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- USD ZAR PREDICTION
- CKB PREDICTION. CKB cryptocurrency
- AVAX PREDICTION. AVAX cryptocurrency
- USD COP PREDICTION
- CSPR PREDICTION. CSPR cryptocurrency
2024-08-29 04:34