The Most Visually Stunning Anime Adaptation of Fall 2023?

Highlights

Undead Unluck's anime adaptation features visually striking and fluid animation, making it one of the best-looking adaptations this Fall season.

The experienced staff members, including those from SHAFT and David Production, utilize their expertise to produce impeccable visuals and gripping action sequences. The series stands out for its exceptional visual storytelling, incorporating varied animation styles and evocative parallels to effectively depict the characters' experiences and emotions.

One of the new shows introduced this Fall season is the anime adaptation of Yoshifumi Tozuka's manga, Undead Unluck. It tells the story of a man who is unable to die, and how he finds his best opportunity for death in the form of Fūko, an 18-year-old girl who brings about calamity through skin contact.

The series wastes no time in ramping up the intensity, and the anime effortlessly matches the fast-paced narrative with its visually stunning and fluid animation. In fact, it could be considered the most visually appealing adaptation of the Fall season. What is it exactly about the animation production of Undead Unluck that makes it so aesthetically pleasing?

Plot and Background

Andy and Fuko – Undead Unluck

Production

The story of Undead Unluck revolves around Fūko Izumo, an 18-year-old girl burdened with an extraordinary condition that curses anyone who touches her with terrible luck. Having faced immense hardships, Fūko finds herself teetering on the edge of despair, contemplating ending her own life. Just when all seems lost, her fate takes an unexpected turn when she is rescued from certain death by a peculiar naked man. This enigmatic individual possesses the ability to defy death, unable to succumb to any circumstance. Referred to as "Andy," he harbors a deep disdain for his eternal existence and yearns for the ultimate demise. Andy becomes captivated by Fūko's unique affliction, believing that it holds the key to fulfilling his desire for a meaningful end. Their journey together takes an eventful turn as they find themselves being pursued by a shadowy organization called The Union, which shares a tangled history with Andy, now known as the undead.

Undead Unluck Episode 2

The Undead Unluck anime is produced by David Production (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Animation, Cells at Work!), with TMS Entertainment behind the production and planning. The director, Yuki Yase, has an impressive background in various roles such as episode direction and storyboarding. Notably, Yase has worked on visually stunning titles, including Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Mekakucity Actors, and Nisekoi, which were produced by Studio Shaft. Yase also directed the first season of Fire Force, another David Production project. The first episode of Undead Unluck features Hideyuki Morioka, the character designer and Chief Animation Director, known for his work on Kizumonogatari. Additionally, Shun'ichi Ishimoto (Character Designer and Animation Director, Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan) and Yumenosuke Tokuda (Chief Animation Director, Sengoku Basara) serve as Chief Animation Directors. The artistic aspect is handled by Keito Watanabe, the Art Director of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, and the Photography Director is Takao Saito, known for his work on Terror in Resonance. The CGI Director, Shin'ya Takano, has experience with Kizumonogatari. The staff roll also includes several animation directors.

DNA

Undoubtedly, David Production's highly experienced staff has proven their expertise in creating visually stunning anime series. Undead Unluck, being no exception, showcases their immense competence in producing outstanding visuals and animation. From the first few episodes released, it is clear that the team is going all out in delivering a truly remarkable anime series. The adaptation closely follows the art style of the original manga, with the direction, backgrounds, and photography being the main visual highlights.

Andy Regeneration – Undead Unluck

Undead Unluck's captivating animation comes as no surprise, considering the involvement of numerous staff members who have previously worked on visually-striking projects at SHAFT. The distinct SHAFT aesthetic shines through in the show's visual style, pacing, and overall atmosphere. From dynamic camera angles and character-focused shots during conversations to the use of diverse art styles within a single episode, Undead Unluck mirrors the quintessential trademarks of SHAFT's acclaimed works. This artistic approach is further enhanced by impactful frames and seamless interactions with intricately designed environments.

Taking a page from SHAFT's playbook, Undead Unluck incorporates a technique frequently seen in the Monogatari Series: the juxtaposition of close-ups with distant shots of the environment, accentuated by stylized visual elements. This style is also reminiscent of the exceptional visual storytelling found in David Production's Fire Force adaptation, which features stunning visuals and animation, particularly in its intense impact frames, high-speed motion, and meticulously crafted backgrounds.

While Undead Unluck boasts visually stunning frames throughout, it also utilizes breathtaking shots to enrich the overall scene. The animation seamlessly navigates action sequences, showcasing the characters' various abilities with remarkable fluidity. Particularly in moments of heightened intensity, the high-speed animation captivates viewers with its sheer beauty.

Quality and Feel

Undead Unluck Young Fuko

Every episode so far has featured at least one remarkable scene, particularly the high-speed chase scenes filled with intricate weaving and twisting movements that Undead Unluck executes exceptionally well. The choreography of these scenes is enhanced by the incredibly designed sound, adding an extra level of excitement. One standout moment in the series occurs right at the beginning when the story briefly delves into the tragic deaths of Fūko's parents, who were among the first victims of her Unluck condition. The scene juxtaposes a beautiful wintry landscape and stylized animation of a girl meeting her lover with a young Fūko witnessing her parents' departure on a plane. The stark contrast between the couple's happiness and the tragic event showcases David Production's incredible versatility, especially considering the emotional depth this scene represents.

As the music swells and bells toll, the couple shares a final kiss before the scene shifts back to the plane. Suddenly, a foreign object propels into one of the propellers, triggering a massive explosion that consumes the plane while young Fūko's tear-filled eyes look on. This imagery parallels the tears shed by present-day Fūko, who cries tears of bittersweet joy after finishing the last volume of her beloved romance manga series. This manga becomes a parallel to the explosion, symbolizing Fūko's deep connection to the story as she isolates herself from society due to her Unluck condition. In the first two minutes, the animation seamlessly transitions between two distinct styles, effectively conveying the weight of Fūko's pain and her complex emotional satisfaction, knowing she can never attain the same happiness as her favorite characters.

Visual Masterclass

Gena Undead Unluck Episode 4

Undead Unluck's anime adaptation excels in its stunning visuals and effective visual storytelling, as seen even in the seemingly ordinary scenes like rolling clouds. One unique and comically interesting aspect is how Andy's private areas are cleverly concealed with a mesh pattern resembling a fundoshi, which not only serves as a censorship technique but also provides comedic moments, like when it accidentally slaps Fuko's face in episode 1. Beyond this, the first episode sets a high standard for the show in terms of visual quality and pacing. David Production skillfully brings the source material to life with beautifully animated and fluid movements set against intricately detailed backgrounds. This adaptation of Undead Unluck has the potential to be a remarkable success in elevating the original material.

You can watch Undead Unluck on Hulu, while the manga can be read on VIZ Media.