The Most Bone-Chilling Anime of Summer 2023

Summer 2023 has been eagerly awaited for the release of several highly anticipated returning anime titles. However, amidst these familiar names, there are also a number of intriguing new anime series. One such series is a horror anime called Dark Gathering, which may not initially appear to be too menacing. However, the way in which this show has structured its episodes so far, coupled with its disturbing content, delivers a powerful impact.

Dark Gathering takes supernatural horror to another level, making it quite possibly the most unsettling title of 2023. What sets it apart and makes it so effective in generating fear?

Plot and Background

Keitaro and Eiko – Dark Gathering Episode 1

Dark Gathering follows Keitarō Gentōga, a college student with a deep disdain for ghosts and the supernatural. However, he has a peculiar ability that attracts spirits, which resulted in a tragic incident two years prior, causing him to be injured and his friend Eiko to be caught in the middle. Feeling responsible and fearing for the safety of others, Keitarō became a recluse. With the support of his childhood friend Eiko, Keitarō is gradually reentering society and working on improving his social skills through a tutoring job. His first student is none other than Eiko's younger cousin, Yayoi Hōzuki. Apart from being a child prodigy, Yayoi possesses a spiritual aura and eagerly seeks encounters with spirits in order to find the one responsible for her mother's disappearance. Despite his objections, Keitarō is forced to accompany Yayoi to various haunted locations and spiritual hotspots, acting as bait to lure spirits out of hiding.

The Dark Gathering anime, produced by OLM, is an adaptation of the manga written and illustrated by Kenichi Kondō. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Jump Square shōnen magazine since March 2019, with 12 volumes currently published and the 13th volume expected to be released in August. VIZ Media has acquired the English license for Dark Gathering, with the third volume scheduled for release in September. The ongoing anime series, licensed by Sentai Filmworks, is directed by Hiroshi Ikehata, with scripts by Shigeru Murakoshi, character designs by Shinya Segawa, and music composed by Kohta Yamamoto, Shun Narita, and Yūsuke Seo. The main cast includes Yuu Sasahara (known for their role as Eternity Devil in CHAINSAW MAN) and Nobunaga Shimazaki (known for their role as Izana Kurokawa in Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku Arc). The opening theme song is "Kakuriyo" performed by Luz, while the ending theme for Dark Gathering is "Haiiro" by Kana Hanazawa.

Art and Animation

Yayoi Destroys Telephone Booth – Dark Gathering Episode 1

In the lighter moments, Dark Gathering maintains a bright appearance with a slight ethereal quality reminiscent of spiritual encounters seen in early BLEACH episodes. This is further emphasized by a grainy texture, giving it the feel of salvaged footage, adding to the series' overall horror theme. The character designs are generally simple, except for Yayoi's intricate and captivating appearance. It is important for her to look inhuman.

However, it is in the darker moments that the series truly shines visually. As the true intentions behind a particular incident are revealed and Yayoi takes action to eliminate the threat, Dark Gathering showcases stunning and fluid animation. The combination of various elements further enhances the eerie atmosphere, with the direction of the series being a standout aspect. At its core, Dark Gathering tells the story of a young girl's unwavering determination to rescue her mother from an evil spirit. Yet, ironically, she herself is incredibly terrifying to evil spirits, who do their best to stay away from her for reasons unknown.

Themes

Yayoi in the Dark – Dark Gathering Episode 2

The fear of the supernatural, the paranormal, or the occult provide the foundation for the Dark Gathering story. However, underlying themes of trauma, loneliness, and grief drive the actions of the main characters. One of the main characters, {h1_placeholder_3}, experienced a devastating car accident that resulted in the death of her father and the abduction of her mother by a grotesque creature with tentacles resembling an embryonic or womb-like form. While the show maintains a somewhat casual atmosphere, it aims to leave viewers feeling deeply unsettled after each haunting or incident. For those who appreciate the horror genre, Dark Gathering is certainly a show worth exploring. Although it is in its early stages with only two episodes released, the series has already proven to be a captivating and intriguing addition.

X-Factor

Episode 2 of Cursed Dolls - Dark Gathering

One of the things that sets Dark Gathering apart from other horror anime released in 2023 is its unique execution of horror elements. Although the character designs are cute and colorful, reminiscent of a lighthearted slice of life series, the show subtly hints at its true intentions at the beginning of each episode. As the story progresses, the true essence of the episode gradually unfolds, building up towards a climactic finale. Standing out from the rest of the cast, the main character Yayoi's design is particularly striking, with her double-pupils taking the form of haunting skull shapes. Dark Gathering effectively captivates its audience as a horror anime by not constantly relying on cheap scares, but rather choosing its moments carefully to deliver truly chilling moments.

Sandwiched within moments of lightheartedness and humor, there are instances of intense horror and darkness that cast an eerie shadow over the show's seemingly casual tone. The atmosphere gradually builds towards a chilling climax, complemented by shots that brim with intensity, juxtaposed against the overall relaxed vibe. Additionally, the inclusion of body horror further accentuates the unsettling nature of the series. The soundtrack effectively heightens the darkness within Dark Gathering, amplifying its already disturbing elements. This deliberate approach of accumulating the macabre throughout an episode before unleashing it all upon the viewer enhances the creepiness, given the predominant light-heartedness of the average episode. Stream Dark Gathering on HiDive.