Gleipnir is a high school mystery about a boy who lies to everyone, including himself. It is also a horror story about a monster living inside him. The anime, based on the manga by Shion Takatsuki, follows Iwatani Jun, a quiet student who develops a second personality named Sakurajima Makai. Makai is charming, confident, and violent. The two share one body, and the show spends its 12 episodes exploring how that arrangement changes the people around them.
The core trick of Gleipnir is that it asks you to sympathize with a killer. Jun is a good kid who cannot control Makai. He watches his other self commit crimes and lie to protect him, and he cannot stop it. That tension gives the show its emotional weight. It is not a show about catching a criminal. It is a show about being one.
Trailer, via Crunchyroll Store Australia.
Makai’s Charm
Makai is the engine of the story. He is handsome, popular, and cruel. He manipulates his classmates, bullies the weak, and covers his tracks with perfect lies. The show does not hide his actions. It shows him hurting people and framing others. But it also shows him protecting Jun, sometimes at great cost to himself.
The performances across the cast are strong, particularly for the male lead. The chemistry between Jun and Makai feels genuine, even when Makai is doing terrible things. The supporting characters are less developed, but they serve their function well enough.
Horror and Mystery
Gleipnir blends psychological horror with detective fiction. The mystery of what Makai is and why he exists drives the plot forward. The show drops clues about Makai’s origins and his connection to Jun’s past, but it does not rush to explain everything. Some threads are left open, which frustrates viewers who want answers.
The horror elements are subtle but effective. The show leans on atmosphere over gore, using shadow and silence to unsettle the audience. A few scenes stand out for their tension, especially those involving Makai’s control slipping.
Where It Falls Short
The pacing drags in the middle episodes. Some filler arcs stretch the story thin, slowing down the momentum built in the early episodes. The ending is abrupt, resolving the mystery without fully satisfying the questions raised earlier. These flaws keep the show from greatness, but they do not undo the impact of its central idea.
Key Facts
– Title: Gleipnir
– Type: TV anime
– Source: Manga by Shion Takatsuki
– Episodes: 12
– Score: 8.1/10
Gleipnir is a flawed but memorable show. Its central premise is handled with care and restraint, and the performances carry the weight of its moral ambiguity. It is not a comfortable watch, but it is a compelling one. The final score reflects both the highs and the lows.
Score: 8.1 of 10.
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