Beyond the Boundary

The dark fantasy follows a high school sophomore named Akihito Kanbara. Although the boy appears human, he is half Youmu and invulnerable to wounds because he can heal quickly. One day, Akihito meets freshman Mirai Kuriyama when it seems she is about to jump from the school rooftop. Mirai is isolated because of her ability to manipulate blood, which is considered heresy among members of the spirit world. Disturbing events begin to unfold after Akihito saves Mirai.

Beyond the Boundary (2013) is a Japanese animated supernatural romance series produced by Kyoto Animation and aired on TOKYO MX, adapted from a light novel. Its main characters are Akihito Kanbara (KENN), a high school sophomore who is half Youmu and cannot die from wounds, and Mirai Kuriyama (Risa Taneda), a freshman who manipulates blood, a power regarded as heresy among spirits. Their first meeting on a school rooftop, where Mirai seems ready to jump, pulls Akihito into a conflict he cannot step away from. Supporting roles are voiced by Ayako Kawasumi as Izumi Nase and Yuri Yamaoka as Ai Shindou. The series is a single twelve-episode season of twenty-four minute episodes, and it moves as one continuing story rather than a case of the week. Everyday school life, with its classrooms and quiet friendships, keeps giving way to sudden supernatural danger, producing a mood that is tender, uneasy and melancholic. Its themes of isolation, forbidden attachment and existence outside the human world sit at the heart of the drama. Fans of Rosario + Vampire, Blue Exorcist and Noragami will find resonance in its blend of school romance and dark fantasy.

Audiences rate the series positively, praising its dark fantasy romance and its polished Kyoto Animation production.

• Rosario + Vampiresupernatural school romance with half-monster protagonist, dark fantasy tones, shared anime tradition
• Blue Exorcistimmortal outsider protagonist, monster-human romance, dark fantasy and school setting
• Noragamisupernatural school life with spirit world politics, ordinary teens drawn into hidden conflict

Release Date

2013-10-02

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (343)

What is Beyond the Boundary about?

A half-spirit high schooler who cannot die is drawn into the troubled life of a blood-wielding classmate hunted by the spirit world.

What is Beyond the Boundary like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Beyond the Boundary as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Beyond the Boundary violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Beyond the Boundary as mild.

What did critics think of Beyond the Boundary?

Audiences rate the series positively, praising its dark fantasy romance and its polished Kyoto Animation production.

Which shows are like Beyond the Boundary?

Shows with a similar feel include Rosario + Vampire, Blue Exorcist, and Noragami.

How long is Beyond the Boundary?

Beyond the Boundary: 1 season, 12 episodes.

Is Beyond the Boundary still running?

No, Beyond the Boundary has ended.

Where can I watch Beyond the Boundary?

In United States, Beyond the Boundary streams on fuboTV, The Roku Channel, HiDive, Hidive Amazon Channel.