The Unlikely Alliances of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku

Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, produced by MAPPA for the Spring anime lineup, is quickly becoming one of the most highly anticipated shows of 2023 due to its gripping storyline and intriguing cast of characters. As the final installment in the "Shо̄nen Dark Trio", the show has garnered significant attention from fans of the genre. The narrative of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku brings together a group of death-row convicts and their samurai executioners from the Yamada Asaemon clan of sword-testers, who are all sent to the treacherous island of Shinsenkyо̄. The island is a place of both paradise and hell, and as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the pairings of each Asaemon with their assigned criminal are not random, but rather, there is a deeper rationale behind each decision. This trend is exemplified by the relationship between Gabimaru and Sagiri, which has led to significant character development for both individuals. As viewers continue to watch, they will undoubtedly be left wondering what fate has in store for the remaining Asaemon-Criminal pairings.

Pragmatism

Yuzuriha Plotting – Hell's Paradise Jigokuraku Episode 3

Assigning Yamada Asaemon to escort a convict serves the dual purpose of preventing the prisoners from escaping and increasing the likelihood of success in the quest for the Elixir of Life. While the shogunate recognized the elite criminals' exceptional abilities, the executioners are better equipped to handle them. However, the reasons for specific pairings extend beyond practicality. For example, Eizen, the top-ranked Asaemon, is paired with the unpredictable and physically strong Rokurōta, while Shion, a blind samurai, is paired with a sexual provocateur and cannibal courtesan who can seduce her way to an advantageous position. Another example is the Aza brothers, Chōbei and Tōma, who have a strong bond and an unwavering desire for freedom on their own terms, as evidenced by their prison break attempt.

Folly

Moro Makiya – Hell's Paradise Jigokuraku Episode 3

The pairings in Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku are not always what they seem, with some being arranged for the sake of irony. For instance, the criminal conman Makiya Moro was paired with Genji, an Asaemon who was skilled in battle but lacked intelligence. This set up a dynamic where Makiya was the intelligent slimeball and Genji was his slow but well-meaning nemesis who couldn't see through his deception. However, Makiya was ultimately outsmarted by the conniving Yuzuriha, whose intelligence far surpassed his own. She not only took down Makiya but also used Genji as a litmus test of his paired criminal's ability. Genji's simplemindedness made him susceptible to both Makiya's trickery and Yuzuriha's seductive charm. Similarly, Eizen's pairing with Rokurōta seemed like a logical match of a strong samurai against a strong criminal, but Eizen's developmental disabilities made him impossible to use effectively. It turns out that Eizen was the first-ranked Yamada Asaemon and the next in line to be the head of the clan, but combat prowess was only one facet of a candidate's eligibility. Therefore, the Rokurota-Eizen pairing was never about their strength, and Eizen's death may have been a mistake or a planned assassination.

Birds of a Feather

Sagiri and Gabimaru Are Kin – Hell's Paradise Jigokuraku Episode 2

The pairings in Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku often showcase characters with similar backgrounds and struggles. Gabimaru and Sagiri, for example, both grapple with the weight of their actions as killers and are reminded of their shared values and ideas about life. Similarly, Nurugai and Tenza were both outcasts who lived at the mercy of Yamada Asaemon Shion, and Gantetsusai and Yamada Asaemon Fuchi share a passionate and daring nature. The personal growth that Gabimaru and Sagiri experience serves as a model for the development of other relationships in the story, such as Senta and Yuzuriha's. Despite their differences, Senta's understanding of Yuzuriha's true intentions becomes the foundation for their own significant relationship.