Hell Girl - Recommendations

Himitsu says...

Jigoku Shoujo and Death Note both deal with the overall theme of death, and take it quite lightly. Both anime deal with the decisions and values of humanity. The colours and tones are quite dark, and each story is certainly one to keep you at the edge of your seat. The characters in Death Note are much more "cool" and the execution is much more fast and intense. Loved the aesthetic areas of Jigoku Shoujo (art, character designs, music).

freakzilla says...

Jigoku Shoujo and Death Note have a similar concept: judging those that are not pure of heart. This is of course a dark and serious theme which raises the main question, "what gives someone the right to judge others?"

Death Note has a far more advanced story (which is why not everyone will also like Jigoku Shoujo), but the atmosphere is definitely comparable.

faerieponey says...

Are you a fan of life after death stories? Or, are you just interested in how people can be manipulated? If so, then you should really consider watching both Death Note and Jigoku Shoujo.

MeloColi says...

Death Note and Jigoku Shoujo are both very dark anime. They are also both very good; they will make you think! Death Note is really a mind game and Jigoku Shoujo is more about about doing the right thing (or else you'll go to hell =P) , but they are both dark and really make you think. If you liked one, then you will like the other.

frozenbum says...

Death Note and Hell Girl are really based on the same premise. In Hell Girl, you can exact revenge by writing a person's name on a website, while in Death Note, the main character kills people by writing their names into a notebook. If you're into psychological thrillers with grim settings, both of these anime are worth checking out.

vernanonix says...

Hell Girl and Death Note are both very similar in the way people die. Should someone type a name on a website in Hell Girl, they are condemned to Hell. Should one's name be written in the Death Note, they die. Both anime are rather dark but are intense and thought-provoking.

Axoloth says...

Both series have a sort of dark feel about them, and neither have any face faults (sweat drops and the like). Although Jigoku Shoujo doesn't have a mad mastermind that kills bad guys, it has a cute girl that sends people to hell. So, I'm sure that if you liked the psychological Death Note, you'll probably like the mysterious Jigoku Shoujo as well. And the other way around too, of course.

karcik says...

Both animes are based on the same question -is it OK to kill evil people? - and they both show the consequences of the answer

hekate says...

Both series are about an human that has the ability to punish individuals who make themselves guilty of evil deeds. They do it with diferent methods though and if you liked one you would enjoy finding out in just what case the other is different yet so alike.

crawller says...

They have very alike content about wheter some people deserve to live or die. Both gives some info about the life after this. Both say Hell and Heaven exist and when using the power to kill someone in both anime you can't go to Heaven when you die. Death Note is far more intense and cool but Jikogu shoujo contains some excitement also. (A bit like a thriller)

Vinosec says...

They both are about justice in my sense. Justice that gets out of hand. They think they are doing the right thing, but in turn they are not. They both have a unique feel to them. If you liked one, well then the other is a must see.

CarLoSG says...

in both series you can look how many persons believe that they can hold on the justice in their hand with the revenge,but this is only a way for their self destruction, and errors that they can't repair.

arc666 says...

Althaugh this anime starts out diffrent to death note they are in essence very similar they are both about someone that for some reason kill people who may have wronged someone else in someway and while the main character in death note gains his death note from a shinigami giving him access to the ability to kill people by mearly writing there name in the death note the main character in Jikoku shougo has some attributes that are normally found in shinigami such as red eyes and the ability to kill people without the use of weapons and very early in to both animes another character is introduced who is a detective and try to learn why so many people are being killed.

uDisConnect says...

Both Death Note and Hell Girl are both based on the theme death. Type a name in the Hell Girl website and the person's name you typied will die, write a name in Death Note and the preson will die. Use the Hell Girl website means selling you soul to the devil, writing a name in the Death Note and when u die you won't go to Hevan or Hell.

cassiesheepgirl says...

Both Jigoku Shoujo and Death Note deal with a sense of justice that is dished out by the central protagonist. Both also tend give the viewer food for thought about whether those sentenced to death truly deserve their fate and is the price that's paid for dealing out this judgement worth it? If you like anime that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking then both of these are for you.

reccaphoenix says...

They share the concept of revenge and giving humans the power over life and death via a supernatural device.

HawaiianLoveGirl22 says...

There are some major similarities between the two animes. They are both about how each one takes lives because of a human's sins. But throughout both of the series, there is one person that wants to put a stop to the killing because they think it is wrong and unjust.

Not only that, the creativity of the plot and the characters, their emotions and actions, are planned out well and seem to grow on you with time. Both series tend to keep you on edge and wanting to watch more. If you like one, then you'll most likely like the other! 

HollowNobody says...

If you enjoyed Death Note or Jigoku Shoujo then you would like the other because both shows deal with ideas of justice and revenge. They both center around the concept of if it is right or wrong to allow one person to determine the fate of another.

chii says...

Both anime are about taking the lives of people that have done wrong the main difference is that in death note only one character has the power to choose who dies. Death Note has an actual plot where Jigoku Shoujo is almost all episodic episodes with very little main plot. If you like the idea of getting revenge/justice at the cost of someones life check one out if you liked the other.

NerdyNorsman says...

Hell Girl and Death Note are based on almost exactly the same premises. In both series a regular person gets the oppurtunity to judge those he find to be evil, and end their lifes with the aid of supernatural powers. In Death Note it is thorugh a notebook and the aid of a death god or shinigami, in Hell Girl, it's through a website and with the aid of Hell Girl. Both series focuses on the moral and spiritual costs of revenge, and in both the series the person who accsept the bargin can look forward to a rather unplesant afterlife. The main differences between the series is that Death Note has a very fast paced storyline and works more like a modern TV thriller, and is a real mindgame. It's animation and overall style is slick and direct. Hell Girl has a more arty, surreal touch to it, and a more horror-like style. It's narrative is low pased and many episodes stands alone. You don't nessesarily have to follow the series from start to finnish like Death Note. If you like dark theemes both series should be up your ally.

Raspberries says...

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Both anime deal with the morality of revenge, and revenge as a tool for justice. In Death Note, the "killer" is, in his own strange way, trying to do a positive thing for the world, while in Jigoku Shoujo, the "killer" is being contracted by those who think the killings are a positive thing. Fans of one may find enjoyment in the other.

FatalGlory says...

Both shows deal with the concepts of morality and death, whether it is Light killing with the Death Note or someone killing with Hell's correspondence. However Death Notes story is more complex than Hell Girl because hell girl is epasodic.

SinisterNight says...

For those fond of Death Note I think they will find Hell Girl a good option and vice versa. This is mostly because both series force the viewer to question themselves while watching this series. They both present issues that make you evaluate your own morals and wonder 'what would I do in this situation'. To put it simply they are both in some way a more 'intellectual' series that encourage you to think about what is happening. Both Hell Girl and Death Note share a common bond in art as well. As far as color schemes go Hell Girl and Death Note are very similar. Their use of colors and shadows to emphasis certain scenes and emotions are nearly spot on. Additionally when darker scenes come about you will usually find a dramatic increase in detailing in both series. In the end I think that in general most that enjoyed either of these series would find the other interesting and worth viewing.

Aurora3500 says...

Both shows revolve around the theme of death. With Light from Death Note using a notebook that can kill people in the name of justice. Being similar with Enma Ai from Jigoku Shoujo taking requests from her clients submitted on her website to take revenge on someone who has hurt the client. 

Chances are if you loved one and enjoy the theme presented in that one. Then you'll love the other as well

hamletsmage says...

Both of these anime have a similar theme. What if a human had the power to pass judgment on anyone they pleased? Both of these anime have some supernatural elements and a lot of suspence. Death Note is the more complex of the two, but both include some psychological and emotional drama.

Sianeka says...

Both Death Note and Hell Girl have a thematic similarity, as they both have a great concern with retribution, and with the actions of life having far-reaching consequences.  If you are enjoying Hell Girl, I really recommend Death Note because this anime goes deeper. Hell Girl is episodic in nature, with lightly connected storylines driving the story forward. In Death Note, plot development is a roller coaster ride of unexpected twists; a truly integrated story rather than a series of similar vignettes.  If you are liking Hell Girl, but want an anime with a bit more depth, an anime whose every episode is not just a new variation on the same tired theme, then try Death Note.

Inu230 says...

People are rotten.

I have been wronged.

The world needs to be purged.

Death will take all.

There is a place beyond your imagination you should not seek, yet here you are and you will never be the same.

Macabre says...

This series look at the darker sides of human desires and human personalities. While it is not for revenge so much as to watch the downfall of characters as they descend into madness or hell. It is similiar as the main character trys to stop the madness but eventually joins in, where as in Jigoku Shoujo this role is played out seperatly by the father and daughter.

DigitalShinigami says...

Hell Girl and Requiem both tell the story of a group of individuals in some way involved in bringing "divine justice" upon people. Both these animes look at the darker side of revenge and its morally questionable nature, arguing both sides of the argument fairly.

Both use individual "mini-plots" lasting no more than a few episodes each to tell the story of specific individuals (from the perspective of the shows main characters) who slowly descend into madness or desperation to illustrate this point.

UnderDog999 says...

The Both have pretty much the same style of animation. They show the dark side of the world. People doing act out of envy, desperation, greed, etc. Also both have unorganisation that punish people that have done sins.

scizorg45 says...

Both series are very dark. They also both use one episode to conclude a "story". Both focus on the evil in humans.

If you liked one, check out the other.

MalteseFalcon says...

Requiem From The Darkness and Hell Girl have some fairly strong similarities. First and foremost, of course, is the supernatural justice/revenge theme. But unlike several other series with this theme, both these series have a team (that are quite similar) to tormet the victim before they meat their demise.

Further along in Hell Girl we get a investigative characters, that I feel is similar to the storyteller in Requiem.  The duo of Hell Girl battle with the ethical dilemma of what is being done, just as the storyteller in Requiem does.

If you liked any of the above in one of the series, I know you will enjoy them in the other.

hamletsmage says...

Both of these anime shed light on the dark part of the human soul. Both of these anime revolve around a group of specialized characters that deal with the dark, often petty side of humanity. These anime are also very good at making you question whom the real villians are. The animation style, dark, gritty, and often confounding, is also fairly similar. 

Ailly says...

Both Hell Girl and Hundred Stories have a very episodic nature, where a person gets punished for some kind of sin. This judgement is given by a group of supernatural beings.  They shed an interesting light on human nature and all the atrocities we commit for our own greed.

So, if you like dark, episodic anime with some food for thought, you'll surely like these two.

JONDAMAN says...

both revolve around protagonists who's job is to punish sinners/evil people. both are quite dark but REQUEIEM is more violent/explicit.

Abashi says...

The mood in both of these is fairly dark, but also quite cute at the same time. Many murders take place, and often times are done to protect or avenge somebody else. Both seem to have a mystical and spiritual influence to the story, and a 'curse'. Hell Girl is newer though.

piffleprincess says...

If you like either Jigoku Shoujo or any of the Higurashi installments, you will enjoy the other. 

While both series differ from each other in how the plot is carried out and specific situations, both deal with fate, destiny, curses, and psychological drama of a particular town.  Instances that seem unrelated in each seem to pull together in the end to complete the plot and give the viewer a good sense of closure.  Both have excellent scripts, pacing, development, and execution.  Higurashi, however, does tend to be more graphic in nature.  Just don't miss out on watching the "Kai" installment of Higurashi for the ending.  ^_^

martinipinupdoll says...

Both Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Hell Girl are must watch animes for those who like something different x3 Both have amazing storylines and characters. So if you're sick of lovey dovey stories watch these instead =D

scizorg45 says...

Both series have a very dark theme. Both focus on the evil that houses in every human. Higurashi has more of a story though, while Jigoku shoujo is more episodic.

If you liked one, check out the other.

LyDiiA says...

Both contain the idea of a 'curse' and an aspect of mystery. Both contain short individual storylines or 'arcs' meaning that the anime doesn't have to be viewed from episode 1- the end.

stinky says...

If you like Jigoku Shoujo you really should check out Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, and vice versa. Although Jigoku Shoujo has a more consistent somber and sadistic tone to it while Higurashi no Naku Koro ni moves from a very upbeat tone to one of horror and violence, they share the similarity of destroying something beautiful. So if you're like me and for some reason gets captivated by that kind of stories then both of these two should be right up your alley.

Barrowight says...

The style of story-telling is the same. Episodic mini-archs give rise to a more ominious story: Hell Girl actually every episode while When They Cry has about 4 episodes to an arch. When They Cry is better, more engaging, as it has less repetition and is more trippy.

They differ in mood. HG tells sad stories that end with bittersweet justice, while WTC's archs start out saccharine and spiral out of control into senseless murder.

HiddenNugget says...

Both anime have a very similar dark theme. Another common factor is the different story arcs which take place. Jigoku shoujo episodes have a new story each time matches higurashi which has a new story every 5 or 6 episodes.

Nocturnalgloria says...

Jigoku Shoujo and Shigofumi have the same basic premise, a mysterious and detached girl with a connection to the world of the dead interacts with the living. Disturbing dilemmas, a psychological bent toward the darkest themes possible and a great dose of horror elements make these titles a perfect match.

etherealam says...

Both of these series deal with the supernatural and the afterlife: Jigoku Shoujo carries out vengeance, Fumika delivers letters from the dead. However, Shigofumi is a little more lighthearted that Jigoku Shoujo. Jigoku Shoujo is more episodic than Shigofumi, with less of a plot to follow. In any case, if you are into supernatural series, both of these are great choices!

DontStay says...

The main aspect which I find them comparable and similar, both anime are about the social issues and its conclusions in a way, whether it's bringing a mail from afterlife like in Shigofumi or asking Jigoku Shoujo's help to kill someone. However, while Shigofumi has more concerted plot, both heroines have their own problems to deal with..

chii says...

Both anime are about shinigami but the main difference is that in Jigoku Shoujo the shinigami kills the person out of revenge where in Shigofumi the shinigami helps the person that has died by sending a final letter to a person of their choice. Both anime have mysterious female leads who are the shinigami and leave you wanting to learn more and more about these interesting girls. If you like tales about the dead check either of these out.

cassiesheepgirl says...

Both Shigofumi and Jigoku Shoujo follow a mysterious and supernatural young girl who aids those in ways that they cannot themselves achieve. While Shigofumi deals with the dead sending letters to the living, Jigoku Shoujo follows those who feel so trapped that they have no way to help themselves other than by cursing the other party. Both are slightly heavier series, and if you liked one, it's worth trying the other.

ShoujoAi says...

i am writing this while four episodes into sigofumi but i already see a tone of similarities, this will be based off those four episodes, however i will edit this once i complete it.

Shigofumi is about a girl named Mikawa Fumika who is deceased, she has purpose despite being dead though, she delivers letters from the dead to the living that are called "Shigofumi" the letters contain the last and final moments of the dead who sent them, wether it be who murdered them or just to say goodbye.

and here is what Jigoku Shoujo is about, it's about a girl named Enma Ai is she dead? of course she is and her purpose is to seek revenge in place of others how does she do this you ask? she uses a website which can only be used at midnight. the person puts in the name of the person they want to send to hell and she delivers. of course this comes at the price of your soul going to hell after you die.

Similarities: Both have young girls with a mysterious past, both have supernatural powers/ablities, both of their past lives slowly become revealed as you go along, both have companions which are objects. both reappear and disappeaer A LOT, both are episodic anime.

Differences: Jigoku shoujo has more then one companion that also take on human form unlike Shigofumi, Jigoku shoujo has two other seasons with different storylines that dive deeper into enma ai's past, Jigoku Shoujo is much more darker and suspensful then shigofumi, Jigoku shoujo has more horror aspects then shigofumi.

Kasei says...

Both of these deal with the darker sides of human emotions in episodic stories, and have a reserved, duty-bound main character with a troubled past they have not come to terms with. While Jigoku Shoujo is probably more on the serious side, I think the two have a similar atmosphere at times. 

GrondXIII says...

Both are anime that peer into the hearts of "guest characters" through the eyes of the main characters. Where Hell Girl does so to send souls to hell, Death Parade does so to determine whether souls get sent to be reincarnated or to oblivion.

PantheraLeo says...

Both shows are incredibly similar. Both are about passing judgement on people. Both have very corofull casts.

Ailly says...

Death Parade, like Jigoke Shoujo, shows humans as they're being judged for their actions and the results aren't always pretty. While this season of Jigoku Shoujo is a bit more straightforward about who the villain is in each episode, the characters and their judgments are a bit more grey in Death Parade. If you liked the exploration of justice, morale and what it is that makes people do what they do, then you should definitely check this show out.

doubletwix says...

Both anime explore the idea of life and death, they both include judgements as for Death Parade who looks into the idea of void and recreation, Jigoku Shoujo just looks into hell.

Ka0nonymous says...

Both Death Parade and Jigoku Shoujo have the same format and a similar storyline as well as the overall aura and genre

Yunarea says...

Who judges acts in life or death?Who decides whether you deserve heaven or hell?

In both entities some entities act as judges or executioners, as emissaries of hell.

Warpuppy says...

Both anime focus on a council of people who live between life and afterlife that determine weather or not various people should be sent to hell.

s2sari says...

Both series have little shoujo death gods. Although they may look different they both have a similar atmosphere to them. They both have to deal with sending people away to the afterworld. If you liked Hell Girl, you will like this one too. :)

Ran says...

The main characters of Hell Girl and Ballad have a very similar personality; they seem shy and introverted at first, but have a much deeper personality that can be guessed throughout the episodes. Although one sends souls to hell and the other accomplishes the dead's last wishes, their jobs as death goddesses are very similar too. These two anime show different perspectives of the same situation, but both have the same contemplative feel to them. If you liked one, you're probably going to like the other too.

vmkplayer1993 says...

Sending people to the afterlife, and granting ones last wish both shinigamis from these anime have the same aura around them. They must deal with random people and move them on. If you likes Hell Girl your are sure to like Shinigami no Ballad

IDDKyewD says...

Both anime deal with death, and what it means to die.Shinigami No Ballad deals with the good in people, and what it means when the good die young, while Jigoku Shoujo has a darker approach of sacrifice and punishment. The two series are two sides of the same coin and balance each other out nicely.

KiraRin says...

Another recommendation from the 200 club!

I recently watched SnB as one of the club choices, and the entire way through I was reminded of Jigoku. Both shows are based around a young girl who takes people after death. However, they are the polar opposites once this happens.

Momo in SnB is sweet, and cries when she helps people after a death. Ai in Jigoku is much darker and a longer series meant that there was a lot more history given about her.

Jigoku is episodic and could be considered repetitive, and SnB is very short and leaves you wanting more. However, I think if you enjoy one, you will enjoy the other.

chii says...

Both anime are about shinigami but the main difference is that in Jigoku Shoujo the shinigami kills the person out of revenge where in Shinigami no Ballad the shinigami helps the person that is about to die with one last wish. Both anime have mysterious female leads who are the shinigami and leave you wanting to learn more and more about these interesting girls. If you like tales about the dead check either of these out.

tasanime says...

Hell Girl and Ayakashi are must sees for fans of the horror/mystery genre. Both anime will leave you amazed at not only the beauty of the animation, sound and scenery, but also horrified at the ugliness of man and the choices he makes.

Ran says...

Both Ayakashi and Jigoku Shoujo have the same slow pace, soft horror elements, and quiet emotional aspect. If you liked the ambiance in one, you'll also like the other.

Anzelya says...

If you are into scary stories in anime format, then those two are made just for you. Enjoy the creepy moments and not so happy endings by watching those amazing animes. If you wish to know what hell is truly like and what curses can do to you, you do not want to miss these series.

Omurqi says...

Both Jigoku Shoujo and Ayakashi - JCH are basically collections of horror stories centered around cruelty and revenge. While they both unmistakably contain horror elements, they are much more focussed on the suffering of humans rather than blockbuster horror gimmicks to make you jump from your chair or uncontrollably vomit. Whoever is looking for more revenge stories with a supernatural horror twist, look no further! This one is just that.

SabakunoYana says...

These two episodic series show the effects that a vengeance, full of grudge and sorrow, summoning supernatural powers, could bring to the life of who want revenge and who are the objective of it.

Sianeka says...

Both anime are cooncerned with ghosts and the supernatural, and both have a "revenge"" theme running through them.  Ayakashi is a connected story arc, however, whereas Hell Girl is a series of vignettes, both with the same sort of flavor.

freakzilla says...

Jigoku Shoujo and Mushishi are very alike. They both have the same mysterious and yet somewhat laid back flow of things. This is perhaps brought about because both have quite a few short stories (they are very episodic) and a pretty story.

NerdyNorsman says...

This recomendation is based more on feeling than anything else. Both Mushishi and Hell Girl has horror elements, though they are more poignant in Hell Girl. They also deal with the human condition, feelings, conflicts, loss, joy, hope and despair and love. Both series also got a strong artistic and surreal feel to them. The first episodes of Hell Girl are pretty much basic horror, but as so often with anime, the caracters and story is added more debt after the basic plotlines are set. Halfway into Hell Girl the more philosophical aspects of the series becomes more important, and thats when I started to get the feeling that it might be something to recomend to Mushishi fans, and vice versa. Hell Girl is far darker, and with a more tragic and disturbing story than Mushishi. One might say that Mushishi is the perfect feel-good anime to watch afterwards. Or watch Hell Girl if you like something slightly dark and twisted to watch after you've been humming the Mushishi theemesong for a week.

animelovexx says...

There is the same isolated feeling in these two series, where there is a repeating main character and changing supporting characters every episode. Both feature separate stories each episode and a touch of the supernatural.

hamletsmage says...

A lot of these two anime has to deal with emotions: love, betrayal, jealousy, anger. The episodes are fairly individual from each other, with little bits of overlap. Both Ai and Ginko go about their respective jobs with an air of mystery.

lessiehanamoray says...

Both of these shows are beautiful and, primarily, episodic, with a continuing main character and a rotating cast.  The tone is the same too and both shows leave me feeling mellow.

TreeOfWolf says...

The mushishi animes are very different from Hellgirl... but they are the 2 anime that I consider unique and most special. They're both gently creepy. Mushishi isn't about revenge, but it's  supernatural too. I've seen masterpieces but nothing is as rare as those two.

LucyChan says...

Both series are somewhat horror-based with suspense and a dark atmosphere. Even though the story context is a little different, both of them are paranormal series that will make you stay close to your monitor, wanting to know what will happen next.

I think if you liked Ghost Hunt, you'd like Hell Girl too! And vice versa.

Aexile says...

Both deal strongly with the occult as their main focus point. While there is aspects of horror in these series, the main focus is the drama of the story and how each case is resolved. Both of these series draw you in through their depth and mystery.

Rfsancho says...

If you enjoyed the creepiness of Hell Girl, I'm sure you'd enjoy Ghost Hunt. The latter is a really passive and often cutesy, but it has its spine chilling moments, good and easy going plot, and a cast of fun characters as well. Definitely consider Ghost Hunt.

Sianeka says...

Ghost Hunty serves up supernatural phenomenon, in a series of vignettes much as Hell Girl's premise does.  Ghost Hunt, however, focuses more on advancing the backstory and developing the main characters better.  Both anime focus on the occult and horror aspects of life, so those watching Hell Girl with an interest in the paranormal should check Ghost Hunt out as well.

RubyofRaven says...

Ghost Hunt and Jigoku Shoujo (Hell Girl) are both a lot a like in that they both deal with horrible beings and try and make sure they get their karma. Hell Girl focuses more horrible people rather than spirits, but it hardly seems to matter when they both have the same sort of dark feeling to them most of the time.

Both can get dark, gruesome, and super suspenseful. It's for these reasons that viewers of each might find the love of viewing the other, if they haven't already.

NatiBerry says...

Both series are about paranormal phenomena, mysterious and suspense, the line of the story is cool

freakzilla says...

Your punishment will not be forgotten; if you sin, there are people out there that will make sure you'll pay the price! Both Pet Shop of Horrors and Hell Girl provide a few examples of the rotten parts of the human character.

Nocturnalgloria says...

These two series feature a mysterious supernatural entity that preys on human flaws. Both Pet Shop of Horrors and Jigoku Shoujo deal with passing judgment and convey a very dark and depressing mood through the anguish-filled situations that desperate people have to face. They both delve into terrible moral quandaries and impose contracts that bind the contractors with the terrible consequences of their choices. In these series the supernatural elements serve as a device to exploring the heavy toll that certain decisions entail, blending insanity with a brooding feeling of hopelessness.

hamletsmage says...

Buying a pet from Count D can be equated to making a contract with Ai Enma. Both anime deal with the idea of getting your "just deserts".

deideiblueeyez says...

Pet Shop of Horrors and Jigoku Shoujo (or Hell Girl) are similar in a few ways that make them seem to be running in the same vein: Both Petshop of Horrors and Jigoku Shoujo answers the pleas and calls of ordinary humans for their whims and desires; for Petshop, it's exotic animals, for Jigoku Shoujo, it's the tool (moreso the power) needed to exact revenge on someone. But both come at a price, which silly humans, being self-absorbed and none too bright, do not consider until the last dire second, or are unaware that their actions will bite them in the butt down the road. Both the main characters directly ( Ai of Jigoku Shoujo) or indirectly (Count D of Petshop of Horrors) serve the just desserts for the selfish and needlessly cruel people who cross their paths, and are like true Messengers of Death: Impartial to the point of amorality; Ai and Count D both do what is asked of them, nothing more and nothing less. If things do not "go as planned" for the one asking for help, then tough cookies.

Rntt89 says...

In both series we see people's worst sides, how they can be opportunistic and selfish and they make a deal to satisfy their greediness. They also show that some of your actions will have consequences and that people must be ready to face them. They both follow a similar pattern of selling desires or revenge to people. If you enjoyed the one it's likely you'll enjoy the other too.