English Dub Review: Hell’s Paradise: “The Death Row Convict and the Executioner”

Overview: Trained killer, Gabimaru (Alejandro Saab), is on death row. The only way back to his wife arrives in the samurai, Asaemon (Marisa Duran), and her offer to find the highly coveted, Elixir of Life. 

Our Take: Explaining fantasy elements and growing attached to the main protagonist of a series is quite the juggling act, especially for the first episode. Thankfully, Hell’s Paradise has more than enough dexterity to get the job done. 

Gabimaru’s setup as an empty assassin is about standard procedure as it gets. However, the connection to Yui over their shared trauma infuses real heart and warmth to him and their marriage. She is the perfect gentle counterbalance to his despair and compelling as far as his purpose. 

His immortality and parents’ demise are lingering mysteries. They offer questions to ponder, especially in how they relate to his current predicament. Asaemon’s poised, blunt disposition also has good chemistry with Gabimrau in pushing him to realize his true humanity. 

There aren’t any heavy animation sequences in this episode. However, the brief flashes of it are gorgeous in MAPPA’s silky smooth, cascading flames or swift slashes. 

The island of Shinsenkyo is intriguing in the setup of the floral paradise in the beautiful utopia it seemingly offers. Its interest also extends in the dangerous criminals it will attract and how the duo will handle them.