“Pet Shop of Horrors” was released in the distant 1999 and is based on the horror manga of the same name by Matsuri Akino. The series consists of only four episodes and can be characterized as a very special work. Directed by Toshio Hirata and produced by the legendary Madhouse Studio, it raised a lot of expectations. But allow me to elaborate before I reveal if it worth the hype or not.Â
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The story revolves around Count D., an enigmatic man who happens to be the owner of an unusual pet shop. His store, located in the Chinatown area of ​​Los Angeles, specializes in trading rare and hard-to-find pets. For their sale, it is required to sign a contract, the terms of which are required to be observed, otherwise, the consequences will be… unpredictable.
The scenario of “Pet Shop of Horror”s sounds – and actually is – quite interesting. But sadly it is executed terribly and it feels rushed. So, cutting to the chase and starting from the negatives, which prevail, the first thing that will be commented on is the limited budget. Madhouse did not invest in this series at all, as the characters lack detail and expressiveness, while the whole anime is derived from sloppiness. Not even the old-fashioned charm of the then decade, which invokes nostalgia, can save the day. The dark aesthetics that intrigued me rarely make an appearance, while the westernized heroes, who lack originality, look like poorly made caricatures.
Although I do not like to judge negatively something that so many people worked and toiled to create, in this case, I can not do otherwise. The main reason behind my bitterness is the fact that this series had potentials since the scenario is actually appealing and it can be observed through many perspectives. The author of the manga, after all, is famous for her clever dialogues! These smart dialogues, though, are drowned in a sea of monotony and repetitiveness.Â
Moving on to the anime's structure, it consists of small, independent episodes that focus on different characters each time. The viewer has a hard time when it comes to creating a bond with them because the series doesn't dig deeper into their personalities nor backstories. Surely, “Pet Shop of Horrors” manages to convey some beautiful messages and morals about life, as well as to make the audience wonder about the outcome of the story but, in the end, everything feels dull and predictable.Â
Proceeding to the artwork of this anime, it surely is old-fashioned, retro, and nostalgic, so it applies to every lover of the 90s. The color palettes are beautifully chosen and the shadings have a satisfying contrast. As mentioned above, there is a lack of details when it comes to the characters, although you might witness some interesting designs of Count D. and some of his pets. In soundtrack and voice acting terms, this series is enjoyable. The music might not stand out, but there are some pretty intense melodies here and there, while some very talented seiyuu, such as Miho Yamada and Toshihiko Seki are giving an amazing performance.
In conclusion, “Pet Shop of Horrors” is a clever idea that went terribly wrong when it comes to its anime adaptation. But, no matter what, you can still give it a chance, since it's a short series and it can arouse your interest with its extraordinary content!
