Ranked #1013

Mouryou no Hako

Originally for me, Mouryou no Hako started off somewhat inconspicuous, seeming to be another average, maybe somewhat memorable show. I was certainly wrong for thinking that.

And possibly a quick warning for some out there.. one of the reasons I found this show refreshing was because it was intelligent. It was well-done. You had to use your brain a bit to understand it, even if you had subtitles. If I can put it into words, this series is like Death note, but is actually made for an intelligent audience. You don't actually know what's going to happen next in this show. When I make this comparison, I'm not trying to insult Death Note, but the styles are simply different. Mouryou no Hako is all about substance and less about flare, a refreshing and seemingly rare quality in newer anime.

There was a surprisingly deep amount of character development done in just 13 episodes. The pacing was skillfully done and made the conclusion all the more interesting, and depending on preference, satisfying.

The art was also superb. The sort of soft palette for normal scenes, combined with the brilliantly colorful animations used to portray other, somewhat abstract concepts, was very pleasing on the eyes. Some shows such as ef - A tale of memories are praised for their art, and I would say that Mouryou no Hako tops that standard.

All in all, this show was an interesting, "What will happen next?" sort of experience. It's not for some people, as it can get slightly gory at times, and is certainly a very dialogue-rich anime... but I would definitely recommend Mouryou no Hako as one of the best of 2008. read more

Score: 8.5

“..If you build an enclosure within your heart, evil things will brew. Those things he called “mouryou.”

Built upon calamities of emotion, Madhouse effectively released a series worthy of a masterpiece. Mouryou no Hako hits a delectable balance, with extensive background in supernatural folklore, mystery, and science fiction – all tying in to a well-done and extensive detective, mystery story. This is how horror and mystery should be done!

Story: 9

At first glance, the story seems to be about two girls – one girl who has problems at home and the other, a seemingly perfect girl, who tells her that she will be the reincarnation of the other and vice-versa. Then there’s a disturbing part where a mysterious man has a box in his hands, and voices coming out of it. Further down the road, you will follow detective Kiba as he tries to find out what’s going on. Do not be thrown off by the first episode’s foreshadow and its yuri themes (I might also add that Anime News Network found the first episode very compelling with “heart-achingly beautiful yuri.”) It is simply the preamble of Mouryou no Haku as to what you will see. There is also an amazing string of characters (A lot I might add) that tie in to the story and reveal connections. Indeed, Mouryou no Hako can be confusing at first, but as you follow the series, everything opens up in a mythological-like story. The story offers metaphors shrouded in secrecy, your mind questioning the whole box stuff (WTF moments too), and eventually leaving you blown as it all ties together in the end.

Mouryou no Hako is indeed a multi-layered mystery/detective story. It can be complex to the point where the viewer does not understand what’s going on. Of course, this series isn’t spoon-fed to you. You actually have to think, and that’s what makes this series so great.

Art: 10 Sound: 8

The animation, quality, and design were all nicely done. CLAMP finished off the designs with a professional touch while Madhouse did the animation wonderfully. If you thought Higurashi no Naku Koro ni was disturbing (It was actually), then you haven’t seen anything…yet. The gore, limbs, abstract scenes, and other “things” were certainly something. Not just enough for one to go all squeamish, though. The movements were detailed and subtle, with the backgrounds leaving a sense of awe for the viewer. Everything looked so amazing, crisp, and detailed therefore giving this piece a solid 10.

Opening theme: Lost in Blue by Nightmare

Ending theme: Naked Love by Nightmare

The music and insert sounds were also nicely played throughout the series. I actually bought the OST for this. The soundtrack is amazingly nice to listen to. With the opening and ending by Nightmare, it adds a nice touch to this prodigious piece. I would say that this was definitely one of Madhouse’s best OP/ED’s.

Overall: 8.5

No, I can’t rate this a 9. Mouryou no Hako is an amazing series, but everything is not perfect. It falls short due to its amount of talking and occasional scene changes with different characters. This certainly isn’t for everyone and thus, may turn people off. Regardless, the series storytelling is the main selling point that makes this anime so unique and refreshing. It is truly unfortunate this anime has been underrated and highly overlooked. One thing is for sure though. There’s something about this anime that leaves a lasting nostalgia or melancholy – and one that allows a few of us to treasure this wonderful rare jewel. read more