Garden of Sinners: Paradox Spiral is a very complex movie. It tells easily the most intricate narrative of any of the films with constant cuts and edits that distort time and space for the audience. Indeed it is virtuoso performance from Ufotable to steer such a narrative that

Not only continues the Shiki’s journey but introduces many new elements into the series. The extent of Shiki’s powers are partially revealed as she and her allies match wits with Arya who is an extremely interesting antagonists. His desire to find meaning in the meaningless is a

Very compelling motivation that ties into the themes of the film; the main one being is finding the purpose to live ones life for. Tomoe encapsulates this theme the best as he thinks has no purpose to live now that his parents are dead and instead actively seeks death.

Kokutou and Shiki force Tomoe to confront the worst aspects of himself in order to find clarity about his life and the need to live for oneself. His arc is very much the emotional crutch of the film and is handled beautifully by Ufotable.

Touko was also spectacular in the film and her confrontation with Alba gave great insight into her character. Though admittedly I think Alba was a an underdeveloped secondary antagonist compared to Araya which inadvertently made me less invested in his relationship with Touko.

The final confrontation is incredibly epic with the OST paring beautifully with the final fight which had been building up across the whole film. The emotional payoff of the fight is incredibly satisfying as Shiki herself has also come to grips with her dual persona and

Wanting to have the companionship she didn’t think she deserved. The payoff for Arya is equally as good with the reveal of how he has forgotten his own original purpose of finding the origin and has slavishly chased after his goal to find meaning in his life.

The technical mastery Ufotable displays in Paradox Spiral covers results in a powerful emotional climax that will have lasting effects on the characters going forward and pays off wonderfully the ambitious scope of the film. 9/10