Humanity has Declined / Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita

Review by: John Fragglepuss Evans

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Humans & Fairies

First Aired: Summer 2012, 12 episodes

Summary: It’s a post-apocalyptic world where human civilization has regressed due to a significant decrease in population. Our protagonist Watashi is a mediator between humans and fairies, who are creatures with a surprisingly high intelligence despite their innocent looks and small stature. The fairies tend to cause trouble for humans in their search for amusement and sweets. Watashi is not alone in attempt to maintain human/fairy relations, she can take tips from her grandfather, who was the mediator before her. She also enlists the help of someone simply known as Assistant, a young boy that hardly speaks and always has a video camera.

Humanity has Declined uses a semi-episodic format to tell its story, with each individual story lasting anywhere from one to three episodes in length. I enjoyed the simplicity of the post-apocalyptic world, which has reverted to a simpler time but not one completely full of destruction. As a whole the society is able to carry out their daily duties and no one seems to mind how basic life has become. The fairies on the other hand are always up to trouble. Whether they are searching for sweets or just bored and looking to cause chaos, they are always making life difficult for the mediator.

You might enjoy this if: You are looking for a heap of bizarre and unusual mixed with a dash of normal.

You might not like it if: Creepy looking fairies with ulterior motives and a deceiving attitude is not for you.

Similar Series: Watamote, From the New World, Mawaru Penguindrum, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Note to the Viewer: The protagonist’s name is never mentioned throughout the course of the series. Sometimes she is referred to as Watashi, which translates to “I” in English. Other times she is referred to as Ms. Sweets.

Humanity has Declined Trailer

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