Angels of Death

Angels of Death is a chilling, dark fantasy anime series that premiered on the Japanese broadcaster AT-X in 2018. Adapted from a popular video game series of the same name, this compelling horror-psychological thriller plunges viewers into a mysterious, multi-storey building – a sinister labyrinth that holds existential dread in each of its corners.

We start off by following the young girl, Rachel Gardner, also known as Ray. Rachel finds herself waking up in the basement of an unknown building, with no memory of why she is there or even what happened before she woke up. As she searches for a way out of the dreary asylum-like setting, she quickly becomes aware that each floor of the building has a 'floor master,' a sadistic individual tasked with killing intruders.

The protagonist soon encounters one such inhabitant of the premises, Isaac Foster, better known as Zack. A scythe-wielding maniac with bandages wrapped around his face, Zack is a floor master with a horrifically violent streak. But rather than being an adversary, a strange pact emerges between him and Rachel – one that triggers an unlikely – yet undeniably thrilling – journey towards escape. Swearing an oath to help each other, Rachel and Zack descend upon and ascend through the floors of the building, defying various harbingers of death and unveiling unsettling truths about themselves and their situation.

Angels of Death's twisted narrative effectively balances outright horror and psychological intrigue, keeping the viewers keenly attentive on the edge of their seats. Each of the floor masters possesses a distinct aesthetic and philosophy tied to the act of killing, providing a bizarrely fascinating assortment of villains for Zack and Rachel to face. The terrifying atmosphere of the show’s setting is heightened by its atmospheric animation and haunting soundtrack, which amplifies its macabre mood and adds substance to its grim action.

The relationship between its two unlikely allies, Rachel and Zack is a key element of the dynamic in the show. Their interactions range from comical and bizarre to deeply emotional and tragic, providing a multi-layered exploration of the human psyche - of fear, happiness, longing, despair, and everything in between.

The show further stands out by its focus on themes of eschatology, existentialism, and absolution. The narrative is heavily steeped in religious symbolism, layered with philosophical contemplation and metaphysical questionings about life and death, faith and disbelief, sin and redemption, which might require prior background in understanding biblical references. The story manages to pull off this heavy thematic content without becoming overly abstract or inaccessible, managing a good balance between high concept themes and simple survival horror.

As we unravel Ray's and Zack's pasts through each episode, a tangible tension envelops the narrative. Concurrently, the audience becomes acquainted with the dark pasts of their opponents, creating an enigmatic story punctuated by violence and mystery that leaves viewers questioning morality, purpose, and the meaning of survival.

Despite its macabre premise, Angels of Death also presents a picture of inner strength and determination. The characters’ unwavering will to survive in adversity adds a gripping and emotionally resonant undertone to the series. It also cleverly inserts elements of dry humor and irony into its dialogue, lightening the grim narrative with sharp comic timing.

With 16 tightly scripted episodes, Angels of Death is a compact series that pulls no punches when it comes to character development or narrative progression. The pacing is brisk and tense, never wasting time on unnecessary subplots or filler episodes. Each scene and episode has a meaningful impact on the characters' development and the progression of the plot, making every moment engaging and impactful.

To sum it up, Angels of Death is not everyone's cup of tea. It is a gritty, intense, and at times, inherently disturbing series that goes deep into the human psyche's dark corners. However, for viewers with a penchant for psychological thrillers, dynamic characters, and deeply philosophical themes, this show is a veritable must-watch.