mirai nikki: the future diary - animevision.co.uk · mirai nikki: the future diary friday, 20 april...

Mirai Nikki: The Future DiaryFriday, 20 April 2012 09:25

Well, here's an... interesting piece of work. When the God of Space and Time, Deus ExMachina, decides he needs a replacement (not as omnipotent as you might think from hisname), he decides on a rather strange form of Elimination Game to choose his successor. Contestant number 1, Yukiteru Amano, seems the sort of person who'd last about five minutesin such a position - but contestant number 2, the very smart and very cute Yuno Gasai, is alsovery, very insane, and about to turn the Game on its head...

Yukiteru "Yukki" Amano is a loner who spends his time writing in his cell phone diary andtalking to his imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina. However, one morning, he finds his diaryentry for the day has been filled in already. Stranger yet, the events portrayed in the diary startcoming true. Deus, who reveals he is an actual God and not so imaginary after all, warns Yukkithat if he loses his diary, he will die. As Yukki starts using the diary to his advantage, he isapproached by a girl from his class, Yuno Gasai. Yuno also possesses a Future Diary - one thatforetells Yukki's death at the hands of a serial killer, another Future Diary owner.

There are twelve Future Diary holders in all, each one's diary fortelling the future in a slightlydifferent way, dependent on their personalities and obsessions. Deus has decided that thesetwelve will fight to the death in his Elimination Game, each using their diaries to try and gain anadvantage over the others, and the last one standing will become his replacement - and withDeus' own powers waning rapidly, there's not much time left for the Game to play out. If Deusdies before the Game is over, it'll be the end of existence.

Helping Deus run the game is his sidekick Murmur, who on the one hand is cute and funny,but who seems to be running to her own agenda, one that's a little different from Deus' - whichturns out to be one of the main plotlines of the show, when you get into the final arcs. But that'snot the main event.

The main event is the very strange relationship between Yukki and Yuno. Yukki is yourtypical anime protagonist - a loner, indecisive, generally clueless about relationships with thosearound him, and generally weak, he's not the sort of person who'd last five minutes in the sort ofElimination Game that Deus has in mind. Enter his classmate Yuno: an abused child, kept in acage by her adoptive parents and heavily pressured over her school grades, she once had abrief encounter with Yukki where her told her he'd one day marry her - a passing comment thatmeant nothing to him, probably, but a ray of light in a terrible life that Yuno grabbed with bothhands. When she also found herself in the Elimination Game - and with a future diary that,thanks to her obsession with Yukki, focusses entirely on him and her feelings for him - her pathwas clear: she was going to attach herself to Yukki, and make sure that hewon the game. Even if that plan would, by necessity, lead to her own death.

Yuno, you see, is batshit insane in a way that I don't think I've ever seen in anime before. She's the yandere girl to beat all yandere girls, violent in the extreme and mentally disturbed to

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the point that her perception of reality is skewed by her feelings, and her need to hide certainevents from her past. She's completely over the top in personality, her actions in defendingYukki are completely over the top and hyper-violent, but by god she is glorious to watch inaction, and that's 75% of the appeal of the series right there – along with Yukki’s developingreaction to her, from appreciating the attention, through being terrified of her when he realizeswhat she’s capable of, through manipulating her for the ‘combat bonus’ that she brings – toeventually falling in love. Bless.

The other 25% is down to the way the main story plays out. The series is so full of twists andturns that it's nearly impossible to keep track; the plot gives the feel that there was no coherentplan worked out in advance, but that it just moves from chapter to chapter in whichever way themanga author decided would be the most entertaining (and if you've read the manga, the animeis remarkably accurate to the source). By rights, it should be a Guilty Crown-style mess - theyboth have that making-it-up-as-you-go feel - but whereas each "twist" in Guilty Crownpromoted a facepalm, in Mirai Nikkieach twist results in an exclamation of "they did what!?" and even greater enjoyment of the craziness of it all. And it's all helped along by a variedcast of diary holders, each twisted in their own little way (a special shout-out here for "moe-moeterrorist" Minene Uryuu, who's the one character in the series who is genuinely likeable forsomething other than her style of craziness), and Yukki's motley group of friends that help himalong, unaware of the ire that's building in Yuno at the thought of people other than her helpingher beloved Yukki.

Mirai Nikki is 26 episodes of complete chaos, with each episode doing its best to outdo theones before it in action and plot-twist silliness. A lot of it either makes no sense or doesn't standup to close scrutiny for plotholes, but once you get into it and develop an attachment to Yuno,Yukki or Minene, all that fades into the background and you start just enjoying the ride. It's atotal rollercoaster, and like the real thing you just can't stop the ride once you've started.

In case you hadn't guessed, then, I loved this, and once it hits Blu-ray (I believe Kaze havethe UK physical rights) it'll be a certain buy for me. The craziness won't appeal to everyone, I'llgrant, but there's a huge amount of fun to be had from simply going with the flow and seeingwhere it goes - it's never where you expect. A word to the wise, though: if you haven't alreadyread the manga before starting the anime, do not read it, and stay well clear of spoilers -moreso than most shows, this is one where advance knowledge of what's going to happen will seriouslyaffect your enjoyment of the series. With that warning in mind, go for it - Mirai Nikkiis well worth seeing.

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1 - Sign Up Yukiteru "Yukki" Amano is a loner who spends his time writing in his cell phone diary andtalking to an imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina. However, one morning, he finds his diary entryfor the day has been filled in already. Stranger yet, the events portrayed in the diary startcoming true. Deus, who reveals he is an actual God and not so imaginary after all, warns Yukithat if he loses his diary, he will die. As Yuki starts using the diary to his advantage, he isapproached by a girl from his class, Yuno Gasai. Yuno who also possesses a Future Diary -one that foretells Yuki's death at the hands of a serial killer, another Future Diary owner...

2 - Contract Terms Never mind the Survival Game, Yuki has a more immediate problem - Yuno, and he stalking ofhim, and having seen first-hand what she's capable of he's more than a little worried. And thenthere's the game itself: it's not like he can ask anyone fo her with that - apart from possiblyYuno. A case of "better the devil you know", perhaps?

3 - Broken on Arrival There may be other diary holders out to get them, but for some reason Yuki is finding himselfbeing hauled around a theme park by Yuno - it's safer not to argue with her. While he's having"fun", 9th is plotting her revenge for the loss she suffered at the school. So it's just as well that4th has a plan for drawing her back into the open...

4 - Manual Input Things were going so well at Yuno's home, until Yuki opened the sealed room. The fact that itwas sealed should probably have been a clue to him, but whatever he saw in there has scaredhim witless - and angered Yuno. Afer felling back to his own home, Yuki wonders what to donext, and decides to turn to Detective Kurusu for help. But Yuno's already ahead of him on thatfront. Kurusu has also learnt of 9th's capture, but his investigations into who was responsibleinadvertenly lead him to another Diary Keeper...

5 - Voice Memo "Choose me and live, or choose Sixth and die" - a simple choice that Yuki is offered by Yuno,

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and she's clearly capable of living up to her end of the bargain - but Yuki's feeling ever morehelpless in the face of the knowledge that, whatever he chooses, he's always going to be relianton others. He'd like to help save Tsubaki as well, but given Yuno's mental state, that may notbe possible. Twelfth, meanwhile, is determined to make sure that Sixth doesn't escape - andhe's got a little show to put on for her and the others...

6 - Manner Mode After being rescued from the cult by Yuki, Yuno's decided she wants to be even closer to him,and has moved herself into his home - Yuki's opinion on this was never sought, of course. Infact, the first he knows about it is when he arrives home later with his mom, to find Yuno and abroken window waiting for him. Fortunately for all concerned, Yuki's mom seems quiteaccepting of her son's sudden new relationship - but when she herself brings home a young boythe next day, it spells trouble for domestic bliss, as the boy is a Diary holder who intends to killYuno...

7 - Answering Machine Reisuke has realised that Yuno's going to be tough to kill - and his diary isn't exactly the bestone in the game, either, but he's determined to take revenge for the deaths of his parents. Andhe seems to have access to some rather nasty stuff, for a kid. But after his first few attempts tokill them are thwarted, Yuno and Yuki realise they've got a diary user on their hands, forcingReisuke to switch to some more direct methods of attack...

8 - New Model Four down, eight to go - the game is one-third complete, and Deus has called a conference ofthe remaining players, on of whom would like to transfer his diary to a new player. Meanwhile,Yuno and Yuki have transferred to a new school together, but with there having been a series ofkillings in the vicinity of the new one they're both on the lookout for anything that could indicatethe presence of a diary holder. Yuki, at least, is quick to make some new friends - who turn outto be more trouble than they at first appear...

9 - Block List

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Hinata's father was behind the recent string of killings, so obsessed with winning the game andbecoming God that he had abandoned his family and was killing anyone he suspected of beinga diary holder. Eventually, though, he decided to make use of his daughter - which is how shecame to be in possession of his diary, with the elimination of her father's latest suspect, Akise,being her goal. While Akise is playing the role of being a diary holder, though, Yuno soonrealises that something's not quite right...

10 - Family Plan Minene and Murmur take a stroll down memory lane, though they don't quite agree on howthings played out - Murmur seems to be putting a rather strange spin on events. Meanwhile,Yuki and Yuno spend the day at a wedding fair. Because who doesn't want to play dress up witha psycho killer girlfriend? As the day goes on, Yukki begins to realise just how much troubleintroducing Yuno as his girlfriend has gotten him into - but it's not until her gets back to herhome, where Akise has been snooping around in their absense, that the true horror of thesituation dawns on him...

11 - Service Terminated Finding a way to disentangle himself from Yuno is rapidly becoming Yukki's main priority, butKurusu's sudden about-face puts paid to that idea - by arresting the pair, and putting Yuno is asituation where her "protective nature" kicks in, Yukki's once again forced to rely on herprotection. But Kurusu's own plans are thrown into turmoil when his own new ally, Minene,decides that it might be fun to switch sides herself for a while...

12 - Out of Range Despite holding Kurusu's son and wife hostage, negotiations fail, and Kurusu goes in for thekill. Yuno shows the lengths she'll go to keep Yukiteru alive, but despite recognising that he'sgot some sort of feelings for Yuno, how far will he go for her? Meanwhile, Minene really wishesshe and a certain cop would stop meeting like this...

13 - Unknown Number Yuno and Yukki are heading out of town on a trip that Yukki hopes will bring a little romance

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into his life, but it seems that Yuno has other ideas in mind - she's made some 'specialpreparations' to ensure that her predicted 'happy end' with Yukki comes to pass. Back in thecity, Nishijima has his own suspicions that Yuno may be up to something, and enlists Akise,Kousaka, Hinata and Mao to help him dig a little further; while Deus's domain is beginning tocollapse around him...

14 - Memory Wipe Hinata is trussed up, in Yuno's tender care; Akise, Kousaka and Mao are trapped in a roomthat Yuno is slowly filling with gas; and Yukki finds himself strapped to a chair, under theconstant observation of Yuno - and the skulls of her dead parents, who she's brought along forsuch a special occasion. All she wants is her Happy End - and to look after Yukki until then,making sure nothing will disturb them...

15 - Dual Cell Phones Eighth's use of child diaries has raised a few questions about the rules of Deus' "game" that hefeels the need to address. Which is really the least of Yukki's problems - he may have escapedYuno clutches for now, but her diary will make sure that she always knows where he is andwhat he's doing, so she'll be back. And when he gets himself into a situation with other DiaryUsers that seems to have no way out, there's only one person he can turn to...

16 - Repairs After quite some time off the scene, Yukki's father has returned to his life - and given that it'sbeen Yukki's dream to see his parents reuinited, he's overjoyed at the development. But all isnot as it seems, as his father has an unusual interest in getting his hands on Yukki's cellphone. Perhaps fortunately, it's in the hands of Seventh at the moment, and given that he's still alive,they don't appear to have destroyed it - yet. Yuno, meanwhile, quickly discovers the real reasonfor his father's return - and it's a reason that will place him right at the top of her hitlist...

17 - Family Discount Yukki has a choice: he's falling, a can grasp for either Yuno or his father to save him - and hischoice will decide his future. That's choice for the present - for Ai and Marco, though, the Tower

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is a marker of choices in their past - a past that was difficult for both of them. Back in thepresent, Yukki has made his choice - for the one person in the world who he can trust, no matterhow batshit insane she may be...

18 - Flashback, to before the Elimination Game began and Yuno first took her interest in Yukki. Itwas just a passing kind comment that sparked her feelings for him, while they were filling in asurvey about their dreams for the future. Coming from a home where she was abused on adaily basis, those kind words couldn't help but make an impact on a girl who was alreadyteetering on the edge of insanity. Back to the present, and Yukki's own world has fallen apartwith the death of his mother - but when Murmur raises the prospect that, as winner of the Game,he could have the power to bring back the dead, he finds that he has renewed enthusiasm forthe fight...

19 - Memory Wipe With the unveiling of Eleventh - the Mayor of Sakurami City - all the players in Deus'Elimination Game have finally been unmasked - although with Yukki and Yuno having kept alow profile since their last battle, Eleventh has asked Deus to "remove" them from the game. It's a prospect that causes Yukki to break cover, and his new-found resolve is seeminglyunshakable: he'll kill anyone and everyone between him and godhood, with Yuno more thanwilling to fight at his side. Nishijima, meanwhile is closing in on the identity of the 3rd corpsefound in Yuno's home - and the revelation of who it is may just break Yukki's new resolve...

20 - Akise's "revelation" that Yuno wasn't exactly who she claimed to be seems to have had exactlyno effect on Yukiteru - which wasn't exactly the reaction that Akise was expecting. But to Yukki,whoever Yuno is, she's still the same Yuno who's been at his side since the Elimination Gamebegan - and he sees no reason to abandon her now. Minene, meanwhile, has struck out on herown, with plans to destroy the mainframe computer, HOLON, that Eighth uses to power hersubsidiary Diaries. And Nishijima, it seams, has his own plans for Minene...

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21 - Yuno's killing spree is creating just the distraction that Yukki needs to have a chance to dealingwith 11th (and she's having fun doing it, too). Add a few well-chosen hostages to the mix, andthe Mayor has an unexpected problem on his hands - and Minene can see that Yukki's a personreborn. And not neccessarily in a good way. Eleventh, though, thinks he has a way to keephimself safe from anything that Yukki can plan - locking himself away in a vault where the onlyother people with access were members of the Gasai family, all now dead. Although he doesn'tseem to have considered the mystery around Yuno's origins...

22 - Disconnection As justification for the killing spree that he and Yuno have embarked on, Yukki is relying onbeing able to bring those he's killed back to live once he gains the power of God from Deus -but, when Akise questions Deus about the limits of his power, it seems that it won't be so easyto put things right. With this information in hand, Akise heads to confront Yukki and Yuno oncemore. That's not the only thing he has to speak to Yukki about, either - but this particularsubject puts him into direct conflict with Yuno. Which is never a healty thing...

23 - Breach of Contract As Deus' time draws short, the world begins to unravel - and Murmur sees the time when shecan usurp Deus approaching. 28th July is the day of destruction - both Yuno and Yukki knowthis, as it's triggered a Dead End in both of their diaries, and so they head back to Yuno's houseto spend the remaining time in comparative peace and quiet - with Yuno still determined to gether "happy end" with Yukki before their time runs out. But Yukki has rather too many thingstroubling his thoughts to be thinking of that just now - not least of which is who Yuno really is...

24 - Data Retrieval Murmur, it seems, has been playing games with Deus' game, so to speak - she was key inbringing first-world Yuno to the second world, and in prompting her to take up the game againhere. Now, with Deus' grip on reality becoming every more tenuous, the fabric of the world itselfis beginning to unravel - but Yukki is concentrating more on working out just who the Yunobefore him really is that on finishing the game. And Yuno, faced with the propsect of losingYukki a second time, isn't in her most stable frame of mind at the moment...

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25 - Reset Under Murmur's "guidance", Yuno continues her infiltration of the third world, and while shefinds that her "father" in this world is a far kinder man than the one she knew in her own world,she can't risk being exposed as an impostor, and tries to kill him. Yukki, meanwhile, isdetermined to find a way for both "his" Yuno and this world's Yuno to survive - despite is beingclear that neither Murmur nor Yuno want that to happen. Elsewhere, Minene is takingadvantage of the new reality to try and do a favour for Kurusu...

26 - Initialize Happy days are back for Yukki - in this world, his family is alive and together, and he's found alittle dose of happiness. He's unaware, though, that the world outside his happy illusionaryhome is quickly going to hell. Murmur, meanwhile, is encouraging Yuno to kill her counterpart inthis world, to let her take her place in the Elimination Game - but Yuno's beginning to havesecond thoughts about what she's doing, and what playing the Game has turned her into. Allthe while, the presence of the others in this world has made enough of an impact that Deus'ability to run the Elimination Game at all is now in doubt...

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mirai nikki: the future diary - animevision.co.uk · mirai nikki: the future diary friday, 20 april...

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