Watch Flowers of Evil

Flowers of Evil is an anime series that is both chilling and thought-provoking. It follows the protagonist Takao Kasuga, an introverted and bookish high school student living in a small, dreary town. One day, after forgetting his copy of Charles Baudelaire's infamous book of poems, "The Flowers of Evil," in his classroom, he impulsively returns to retrieve it. However, he is caught by his classmate Sawa Nakamura, a girl who is often bullied by other students and is known for her rebellious behavior. She blackmails him into a strange and unsettling friendship by holding his secret over him - he has a crush on his classmate, Nanako Saeki.

From this point on, Flowers of Evil takes a dark turn as Kasuga is dragged along in Nakamura's plan to "break free" from their mundane existence. As he becomes more involved in her schemes, he is forced to confront his own twisted desires and the hypocrisy of the society he's living in. The show does an excellent job of exploring the complex psychology of teenage angst, loneliness, and alienation. It exposes how teenagers can be overwhelmed by the societal pressure of being "normal" and it portrays the gradual psychological deterioration of its lead characters.

One of the most striking aspects of Flowers of Evil is its unconventional animation style. It uses rotoscope animation, which is a technique where live-action footage is traced over and turned into animation. This creates an eerie and uneasy feeling as the characters move unnaturally in a realistic environment, starkly contrasting with the more traditionally animated aspects of the show which are more polished and detailed. The creators of the show used rotoscoping to create a realistic and bleak atmosphere that matches the bleak and stark emotions that its characters feel.

The show stands out for its willingness to portray its characters and its world in all their ugliness. It doesn't try to glamorize or romanticize the teenage experience and instead, goes out of its way to show uncomfortable and taboo subjects like mental illness, depression, and sexual awakening. For example, Kasuga's fixation on Saeki is obsessively portrayed. His attraction to her is not just a sweet crush, but a dark and twisted desire, which the show explores in uncomfortable depth.

Despite the show's eerie and psychotic tone, the character's emotional journeys always feel authentic and grounded in reality. The dialogue, voice acting, and sound design are all top-notch and work together to deliver incredibly visceral scenes that will leave a lasting impression on its viewers.

The plot of Flowers of Evil is incredibly engaging, with a constant sense of tension and uncertainty that never lets up. Each episode builds on the previous one, creating a storyline that is both captivating and unsettling. It's a show that stays with you long after you've finished watching.

In conclusion, Flowers of Evil is a dark and intense anime that will challenge its viewers. It's not recommended for those who are looking for a light-hearted anime with a typical plot. However, if you're interested in a psychological and artistic thriller that will make you question your own morality and societal roles, then this show is definitely worth a watch. It's a refreshing blend of rotoscope animation, haunting soundtrack, and taboo themes that develop into unforgettable characters and painfully engrossing storylines.

Flowers of Evil is a series that ran for 1 seasons (15 episodes) between May 9, 2013 and on Anime Network