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An Alternative Paranormal Viewing Suggestion

(This blog was originally posted on MySpace in the fall of 2009, but now seems like the perfect time to repost this given that it's now on Netflix, MySpace now allows old blog downloading and it's Halloween! Enjoy!)

Asof late I have found myself once again interesting in the events of the supernatural and the paranormal. I usually get in the mood around this time of year and I start it out right by watching some paranormal themed shows. Though this year I am having a bit of a problem. I'm not exactly looking for horror or graphic inspired this go around, but something intelligent and knowledge about more akin to documentaries or paranormal investigations.

I usually don't go into those that much given how most paranormal investigation shows try to over-the-top themselves with unnecessary. If you've seen the current stock of shows out there then you know what I am talking about. I'm not sure if it's because the networks feel it needs more personal drama from the team members or if they are trying for a more "reality TV show" theme. It seems that most of the paranormal entertainment shows out now are doing better than the investigation shows since they try to add more to them to make it appear plausible in real life (Yes I'm looking straight at you FOX's Fringe and NBC's Warehouse 13)

The best thing I can think of that would hit my sweet spot for the supernatural right now would be something akin to The Travel Channels "Weird Travels" or "Paranormal State" but without the over arching demon storyline. So I ended up turning to the least venue I would ever think of: anime.

I normally don't turn to anime for my intelligent supernatural fix but instead for my outlandish supernatural faceoffs. If anyone has seen anime series like "Helsing" or "Vampire Hunter X" can understand. Mind you they are not bad if one wants that kind of supernatural thrill, but like I said I'm after something more firmly focused on reality. Something that follows the flippant rules of the supernatural and applies it to the real world situation at large.

That very mix I was able to find in "Ghost Hunt"

Now mind you, it still is an anime so you'll find the usual school girl romances, occasional comic moments and specific animated guffaws during outlandish emotional moments, but deep down it's an intelligent anime that tries to paint the supernatural theme in a more realistic light.  Something you hardly find at all in anime these days. The show is basically the story of a young high school girl, first year, finding herself involved with an paranormal investigative group led by an all black wearing 17 year old that brings "brooding" to a whole new level, though he gives out kind of a "Sherlock Holmes persona" when it comes to investigating the paranormal, his chinese assistant who is more of a mystery, a self appointed Shinto priestess who looks a bit too old to be one (and not shining with the "aura of virginity" as one character points out), a tall, blond, ear pierced Buddhist Monk who plays bass in rock band, a kimono wearing famous medium who has a crush on 17 year old brooder, and a 19 year old Australian Roman Catholic Priest.

Let me write that last statement again: A 19 YEAR OLD AUSTRALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST.

After seeing that kind of roster of characters I was afraid I was going into "Yu Yu Hakusho" territory with spiritual fireball/paper talisman throwing and spirit kung-fu fighting...

But as the series progresses it not only sticks to the formula (in the beginning) of intelligent ghost investigation, but also with ghost exorcism. Instead of using the various religions as a means to discredit or prop one up over another, the show uses them as specific tools for specific events. Couple that with intelligent field questioning on the supposed supernatural event itself (the 17 year old brooder is more likely to consider a case ,like the X-File's Dana Scully more skeptic at first until he's narrowed down the possibilities before shifting gears to a more Fox Mulder train of thought) before taking on a case.

It starts out slow, but strong in the paranormal invesitgations. (Spoiler: Their first case is proven not to be paranormal in nature BUT supernatural, how can that be? You need to see it to understand.) Even the episodes don't resolve themselves quickly like how you'd see some paranormal investigation shows that run for an hour. (Most of the case files last for about an hour and a half to two hours. Not mentioning one comical episode) And at times the team members do face life/death situations, though later on in the series it starts to border on the asian horror movie fair (not a good or bad thing mind you.)

In the end it does boil down to a respectable supernatural series that takes most of it's roots and themes from real life and binds them well to the anime situations found in the series (case two I can really see happening in real life, though personally I would've killed something to end it) The series even mentions the Winchester House and the historic Vlad the Impaler as a precedent in some of their case findings.

Basically if your one for the supernatural and understand the investigative process you'll not only be able to go along with it, and say "wow, these characters actually know what they are talking about." But it'll keep you focused and actually guessing on what you should expect to happen. At times it seems predictable but then an event will happen that'll make you change your mind and make you have a "OF COURSE, why didn't I see that." moment.

So I recommend this anime series if one would like to try something different and intelligent than the usual paranormal affair you see around this time of year. Don't be turned off that it's an anime or you won't get to see any Juon/Ringu style scares. It's smart, it'll keep your interest perked and you might actually learn something about the investigative process into the paranormal.

Ghost Hunt is avaiable on netflix, in both subbed and dubbed formats, as well as Episodes 1-4 on hulu.com in both subbed and dubbed formats. Though it's cool that you get the option I suggest you watch it dubbed for there is ALOT of talking/explaining done about specific terms in dealing with the supernatural/paranormal. Enjoy!

Ta-ta

"N"