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Feb 14, 2015
I'll just say this first thing.
This is the second time I have watched the anime, and I am not one to do repeats of things. Let's get right to it then.
You need to appreciate that not everything can ever be explained to you, or simply, just won't. There is nothing wrong with trying to find answers, but things either just can't be explained, or more in this anime case won't be explained. You also just sometimes need to let go and... Listen...
However, to the credit of the anime, the things that are not explained in enough detail are the, let's say side parts of the
...
whole setup.. This story has many things. Parallel worlds, a few days of the year where items you don't want can be tapped on and sent into a floating line of things into the sky, demons and people living together harmoniously, to name some things. These are to set up the world, to make it an interesting place to live, for our thankfully just as interesting cast.
Meet Koto, a girl who is searching for a black rabbit. Meet 3 individuals, all related, though they look nothing of the sort, who are looking for a part of their family, and out of the 3, meet Myoe, a monk who has to put up with many things he isn't sure how to deal with...
Well, I won't say anything else, but to be fair, the first few episodes of the anime fill you in enough to get the idea... Which is fortunate, since this series, if you count the bonus episodes not apart of the main series, is only 13 episodes long, and that's 3 episodes of none story, though they are related to it, disregarding what the episode count tells you on here.
The biggest draw of this anime is the focus on, oddly enough, family. Yes, the world is interesting and unusual, if very similar to our own in many ways, and the way it looks is a visual treat, but at the end of it all, it's about family love, and that in itself is such a rare thing for virtually any series to focus on. This is where the anime does well, as one would hope for.
The main characters get an episode each to look at their past and to see how they are, and they are well developed enough to appreciate them and are a likable cast, and rather unusual at that, though I won't spoil it for you.
Again, I will point out to the visuals, which are bright, colorful and fun to witness, and at times surreal. The animation itself is energetic, and brings enough life to the characters and scenarios, and the style of the characters aren't the typical anime style one can see so often, but are close enough to not draw people away from it, so it's a pleasant mix. Pleasing to the eye is a nice way to put the character designs. Distinguishable, perhaps just a tad plain for some of them, especially the non main characters, but overall you will recognize each one, and will unlikely get them mixed up with other anime characters.
The music, though it can be repetitive due to it's limited nature, is good despite how often some songs play. They are good enough so that you won't feel annoyed every time it is put on. They knew what they wanted with the soundtrack, and none of the songs feel like they are out of place. You will come to like some of them, hopefully.
If I could give concerns to this anime, and believe me, this isn't a perfect experience, it would be that... It really needed a couple of more episodes to it. Like I said earlier, not everything can, or just won't be explained in this case to you, and while the anime overall feels fine without these explanations, it doesn't stop it from feeling lacking in places. Just an extra episode or two would have answered many questions, and would have perhaps given a bit more to the world the characters are in, and maybe even more to the characters themselves, which are well done all the same in consideration to the series length.
Overall, besides the lack of a few extra episodes to add some more to the world via explaining things, and the rather repetitive if good music, there really isn't much wrong with this anime. It was a blast enough that I re-watched the series, and had fun with it again. It's a fun, surprisingly heartfelt anime about family love, and if you expect this if nothing else, then you will enjoy it nicely. Think of it like a story you have just discovered, but cannot put down...
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Oct 19, 2014
Horror can take many forms. In this day and age, it seems like a relentless, blood lusted slaughter, jump scares abound, and stories that don't really matter, so long as the content tries to shock or scare people.
Let's look at it in another light. I myself am quite neutral to such things, but I can understand when the constant barrage of mediocre sameness can get... Tiring..... Mononoke is simply wonderful, for how it manages to be scary, calming, thoughtful, disturbing and artistic without ever seeming forced.
The series is composed into several short tales. The takes consist of the curious
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Medicine Seller, an intriguing man who for the most part, lies in much mystery, and who carries a sword, something only Samurais do during the time period he is in. If you are expecting to have in depth back story for this character, then you will be sad to find that there really isn't any. To the characters credit, however, they are themselves quite fascinating, and that air of mystery surrounding the character does work more for them then against, as much as I would have liked to know more about such a person.
The main characters in each tale, however, will have enough back story covered for them to give then a motive and a reason for what they have done and are doing. The stories have a theme going through them, in a sense that the Medicine Seller has to get rid of demons, essentially, in a certain way. He cannot go in and kill them straight out with his sword. He must find answers to certain driving forces before he has the ability to use his weapon. This mechanic is essentially the driving narrative of the show, helping us explore the characters and what is happening around them.
Now, onto the driving visuals for the show, as it were...It just looks.... So.... Stunning! Have you ever seen chiyogami paper? Those incredibly colorful sheets full of intricate patterns, high detail, and have a variety of designs to show? Do a google search, I insist. The show doesn't hold back at all in coloring its peculiar eastern folklore inspired world with as much style as it can do. This even extends to the characters, as most everyone besides the Medicine Seller himself looks rather...Off. The protagonist himself is quite handsome in a way, especially when compared to everyone else. Whether this is a way to drive home the point that he is quite unusual, or that everyone else is rather odd is up to interpretation. He contrasts so much with everyone that he almost seems like he doesn't fit into the show, which helps contribute to the bizarre feel of the series.
The music fits the atmosphere perfectly to what is happening at a given moment. It is gentle when needs to be, and thunderous when required. The opening is both fitting to the feel of the show and somehow feels not quite right. Give it a few listens and decide yourself.
The animation itself is quite good. While you won't be seeing the most amazing action sequences and such, it can boost it up when it really needs to, and the amazing style really helps in this department. You'll be going back to some scenes again because you had missed something previously.
The biggest complaint I really have for the show is that...It isn't long enough! Honestly, it is a shame that such a wonderful anime only gets a mere 12 episodes. This would seem more fitting for a 20-ish series, and even an average of a 50 ish episode anime wouldn't be a bad choice, considering that the show can do so much with the creativity it has available to it. I will admit that this show would not be to everyones tastes, however, so as usual, the most profitable audience is the every person audience, something that this show isn't likely to garner to. A minor complaint is never finding out much about our intelligent...Protagonist. The Medecine Seller is a good blend of calm, humorous and observing. The things he can do is also worth a look into, and to what exactly he is. Due to the short nature of the show, it doesn't feel like we got...Burned, as it were. The mystery of him does add to the intrigue, after all.
This series receives a marvelous score of 9. Watch it when you can, and buy it if possible. If more people discover this secretive jewel of the anime world, perhaps more people would open up to the possibilities of anime being an excellent storytelling medium.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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