Discover the Secrets of Soshin in Hell's Paradise

The latest episode of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku marked a significant shift in the series, laying the groundwork for the true plot to unfold. We're introduced to new characters and given a glimpse of the major antagonists, while learning more about the mechanics at play on the island of Kotaku. Hо̄ko, an arboreal being, sheds light on the island's structure and the inhuman sentries that guard its outer limits. These malformed creatures, known as Sо̄shin, pose a serious threat to the Vanguard Party, and their origins raise many questions.

Shinsenkyо̄

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The island is commonly referred to as "Shinsenkyо̄" by the characters who are not natives. According to VIZ Media translator Caleb Cook, the term means the Chinese mythological paradise inhabited by hermits or "sennin." The island's spiritual and religious imagery is heavily influenced by Buddhism and Taoism, and much of the nomenclature encountered on the island is of Chinese origin or translated into Japanese. The island's structure comprises three concentrically connected parts: Eishū, the outermost layer teeming with abominations and vivid blooming flowers; Hо̄jo, the middle part where a society once lived now populated solely by Hо̄ko and Mei; and finally, Hо̄rai, the centre of it all, where the secrets of eternal life are kept. Hо̄ko refers to the fabled Elixir of Life as "Tan," which is kept somewhere in Hо̄rai. Additionally, Hо̄rai is home to the Tensen, beings referred to as "gods" by the tree-man. The abominations found in Eishū are unnatural, grotesque creatures reminiscent of chimeras, and they are referred to by Hо̄ko as Sо̄shin. However, Hо̄ko does not provide any information regarding their origin.

Zaòshén

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On Shinsenkyо̄, the lower-class monsters known as Sо̄shin have a variety of appearances and temperaments. Despite their differences, they all possess a disturbing and unsettling look. Most Sо̄shin attack humans on sight, and they appear to lack any higher intelligence. Although some Sо̄shin are capable of speech, such instances are rare. The name "Sо̄shin" is derived from the Chinese word "Zaòshén", which means "god of the stove" and refers to the Kitchen God from Chinese mythology. This tragic story involves his eventual death by hearth fire. Even though these creatures do not fit the typical image of gods inhabiting paradise, Hо̄ko explains to Yamada Asaemon Senta that he has never left the island, so he would have no knowledge of any gods other than those found on Shinsenkyо̄. As guardians of the island, Sо̄shin kill any humans they encounter. Senta notes that they often wear religious garb, making them appear as poorly designed deities. The presence of religious artifacts and structures on the island suggests a religious aspect to life on Kotaku.

Garden of Sinners

The true extent of the threat posed by the Sо̄shin on the island has only recently been recognized in episode 8, as it has become clear that they play a subordinate role in a larger scheme. Despite their status as the lowest-ranked inhabitants on the island, the Sо̄shin are obedient to the Tensen and carry out their orders without question. They exhibit little cognitive function, speaking only in rare instances such as when lamenting the death of their own kind, and tend to view outsiders as sinful. It is apparent that the Sо̄shin are mere pawns in the grander scheme orchestrated by the Tensen, and are forbidden from entering the sacred Hо̄rai.