Hell’s Paradise was one of the most hotly anticipated anime series out of the Spring 2023 anime season. The series follows several pairs of death row convicts and Yamada Asaemon executioners traveling to a dangerous, distant island in search of an elixir of life. Along their journey, they’re dropped into a dangerous environment and encounter malicious immortal beings who are after their lives.
The anime balanced a dark, fantastical tone with action-packed spectacle while spotlighting the complexities and character dynamics of each key character and their motivations for coming to the island. The first season ends on a cliffhanger moment that will no doubt set up an exciting start to the second season.
Anime Trending had a chance to interview original manga creator Yuji Kaku and anime producer Kirito Iwashita to discuss the appeal of the anime series, the relationship between main characters Gabimaru and Sagiri, and what audiences can look forward to in the second season.
What were your initial reactions when you first learned your manga was going to receive a TV anime, and what did you think of the first season overall?
Yuji Kaku: I was absolutely delighted to hear it was going to be animated because this is the first time my manga is being turned into an animation. It was really amazing to see my own drawings, my own creation, moving. The transition from still to movement was really awe-inspiring. Most importantly, I was able to feel, from season one, that the animation staff deeply understands the spirit of Hell’s Paradise and is very respectful to the original content.
How involved were you with the production of the anime adaptation? Did you work closely with Iwashita-san during its initial planning?
Yuji Kaku: What’s really important to me as a personal philosophy is that the animation team is empowered to be energetic [and] that they’re self-energized without being micromanaged. So instead of me really interfering with every step or process, I really wanted them to have the liberty to do their best. The studio and the production team allowed for social interactions, whether it was drinking together or having a meal together. The more low-key, loose areas of touch points allowed for the total experience to be enjoyable for everyone involved.
What was the most challenging aspect of the manga to adapt for the anime?
Kirito Iwashita: This is an answer from the animation producer [Wataru] Kawagoe from MAPPA. This is less of a challenge but really a focus area for the team — something that we really focused on making that can only be enabled through animation is the Ascetic Blaze (Hiboshi) from Gabimaru. It had to have color, movement, and camera work — all the aspects that make animation unique.
We blended everything we had in our toolbox to create something that could only be enabled in animation. It couldn’t just be normal fire — it had to be more than an illustration of fire. There are a few differences, so please look forward to comparing and contrasting Ascetic Blaze from seasons one and two.
The world of Shinsenkyo in the anime and manga is both beautiful and terrifying. What was the process like in designing or creating that setting for the manga? Did you draw upon any of your favorite horror influences?
Yuji Kaku: Not so much a horror movie, but something that is kind of an inspiration for the mashed-up, man-made collage of all these aspects and components is The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Iwashita-san, what aspects of the Hell’s Paradise manga series stood out most to you?
Kirito Iwashita: One scene that I really got pulled into is when Tao Fa says she’s not having any fun. In that moment, you see somebody who used to be full of energy, bubbly, and having fun. But in reality, there’s so much emptiness and despair. Even though, as Tensen, they’re full of amazing power and so much life, the reality is that they are really sad existences. Yes, they essentially live forever, but with their long life, what remains is emptiness. That one scene really highlighted that contrast and made her a favorite character.
Kaku-sensei, you previously said the manga is sort of about gathering people with no common interest and forcing them to work together in one place. With that in mind, how would you describe the dynamic or relationship between Gabimaru and Sagiri?
Yuji Kaku: When there’s a change in people, there are usually interactions with another person. When you interact with another person, you sometimes can’t avoid change, and so that growth, evolution, and change are key aspects of the storyline.
In the case of Gabimaru and Sagiri, one was sent to eliminate the other initially, so not only are they opposites, but they’re really almost enemies. But then there’s a lot of interaction, change, and evolution. I don’t want to give a name to any of these interactions or relationships — that’s something I want the reader to figure out and define for themselves. That’s where it’s left without a clear definition of their relationship.
Gabimaru’s motivations were kind of wanting to leave the island for his love for his wife and wanting a peaceful life with her. Why was it important for you to give him that aspect to his character in contrast to his emotionless, violent nature?
Yuji Kaku: At the beginning of the story, it actually wasn’t a huge part of the focus for him to have such a strong love for his wife. As the story evolved, I came to realize that this is really a story of the conflict of opposites. The antagonism of different things involved really enriched the story. For Gabimaru, with this violent background and character storyline, having something [like] true, warm love was the opposite. That is a thematic aspect of the story that there’s always an opposite, or a conflict of opposites.
Having previously worked with Tatsuki Fujimoto, was there any advice he gave that guided you as you were working on Hell’s Paradise?
Yuji Kaku: Not directly any advice, but I see him often. We interact socially because he’s a good friend and also an avid reader of the series. Sometimes he’ll say, “Hey, that’s a nice character,” and then I find myself adding them more into the storyline as a result.
What should fans of Hell’s Paradise look forward to as the second season arrives next year?
Yuji Kaku: In season two, you really see the action getting more intense. In creating Hell’s Paradise, one focus area was to use action for character development. This is where you see a lot of character development in the action scenes. I hope that there’s both an appreciation for how much deeper you can relate to the characters, in addition to more intense action.
Kirito Iwashita: Kaku-sensei said a lot of what I feel as well, but the longer action scenes have an increased focus on quality. This is a product we present with pride.
Interpreter: Alice Yama Dang
Hell’s Paradise is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix worldwide. Season two is expected to premiere in Japan in January 2026.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Questions by Melvyn Tan and William Moo.
