Guilty Crown is a show about a high school boy named Shu Ouma who gets an ability he doesn’t want. That ability is the Power of the King, and it lets him pull things called Voids from other people. The show throws him into a war between a resistance group called Funeral Parlor and a quasi-governmental organization called GHQ, which controls Japan after an event called the Lost Christmas incident. The show aired on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block from October 13, 2011 to March 22, 2012, across 22 episodes.
Trailer, via Crunchyroll Store Australia.
Shu Ouma and the Power of the King
Shu is the center of everything. He’s a quiet boy who stumbles into danger. His ability draws Voids from people, and those Voids are physical objects tied to the person’s soul. The show spends a lot of time on the weight of that power, and it works. Shu is easy to care about because the show lets him feel the cost of what he can do.
His best friend is Gai Tsutsugami, voiced by Yuichi Nakamura. Their relationship is the emotional anchor of the series. Gai is loyal and funny, and his scenes with Shu carry some of the strongest writing in the show. The show also leans on Shu’s past, which is kept secret for most of the series. That mystery builds tension episode after episode, even when the action slows down.
Inori Yuzuriha and the Resistance
Inori Yuzuriha is the lead female character. She joins Funeral Parlor and becomes Shu’s partner in the fight against GHQ. Ai Kayano voices her, and she brings a calm presence to the show. The show uses her to ground the story in human stakes, not just political ones. Her relationship with Shu is the heart of the series, and the show handles it with restraint.
Ayase Shinomiya, voiced by Kana Hanazawa, rounds out the main group. She’s the leader of Funeral Parlor, and she gives the show its sense of purpose. The show balances action with character work through her, showing both sides of the war. The supporting cast is strong too, with Tsugumi, Argo Tsukishima, Makoto Waltz Segai, Shibungi, Yahiro Samukawa, and Arisa Kuhoin all getting moments to shine.
The Setting and the Apocalypse Virus
The show opens with a disaster. On December 24, 2029, a biological hazard called the Apocalypse Virus, caused by an impact event, hits Japan. The event is later named the Lost Christmas incident. Japan asks for help, and the United Nations sends GHQ to stop the virus. GHQ stops the outbreak but takes over Japan in return, making the country dependent on it. Ten years later, in 2039, Funeral Parlor starts a campaign against GHQ to free Japan.
That setup gives the show its world. The apocalypse sets the rules, and the politics follow. The show doesn’t waste time explaining everything, which keeps the pace tight. The Lost Christmas incident is a heavy burden for the story to carry, and the show uses it well, tying the war back to a real loss.
The Music and the Songs
The music is a major part of the show. The songs, performed by the band Linked Horizon, become a kind of character themselves. They’re used in key scenes, and they set the tone for the show’s biggest moments. The songs are often sad, which fits the show’s darker themes. The show uses music to push emotion further than words could.
The show also has a 15-minute original video animation, titled Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas, which came bundled with a spin-off visual novel called Guilty Crown: Lost Christmas. Both were made by Nitroplus. A light novel, titled Guilty Crown: Princess of Deadpool, was published by Nitroplus in April 2012. Two manga adaptations were published, one each by ASCII Media Works and Square Enix.
The Good and the Bad
The show isn’t perfect. Some episodes drag, and the middle stretch loses momentum. The pacing isn’t always steady, and a few episodes feel like filler. The show also leans heavily on its ending, which leaves some questions unanswered.
But the show has strengths that outweigh its flaws. The writing is sharp, and the voice acting is excellent. The show knows how to build tension and payoff it. The action is solid, and the character drama is stronger than most shows manage.
Here’s what stands out:
- The central relationship between Shu and Gai
- Inori’s role as the emotional center
- The music and songs by Linked Horizon
- The handling of Shu’s past
- The world built around the Lost Christmas incident
Final Word
Guilty Crown earns its reputation. It’s a show that cares about its characters and its world. The ending is a mixed bag, but the journey gets there well. The show is worth watching for anyone who likes smart, emotional anime.
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