I admit to being a fan of folklore and mythology and, because of this, I'm always rather pleased when a series manages to incorporate the essence of such things into its plot to good effect. Its unfortunate that many series that make the attempt manage to fail in one way or another (Dark Myth being a prime example).
Thankfully, Mokke doesn't fall into that category.
Mokke started life as a manga series by Kamakura Takatoshi, and was first serialized by the seinen manga magazine "Afternoon Season Zoukan" in 2000. The manga was suspended after it's 14th issue however, and wasn't continued until March 2003, when it was serialized in Kodansha's "Afternoon" magazine (which is apparently a separate seinen magazine).
The re-release proved to be far more popular, and spawned the anime adaptation which was directed by Nishida Masayoshi (Allison & Lillia, Eyeshield 21), and produced by MADHOUSE. The series began broadcasting in October 2007, however it was overshadowed by the major releases of the Autumn season that year, something which is truly a shame for this understated, and highly underrated story.
The series follows the lives of the two Hibara sisters, and their various encounters with beings and phenomena of supernatural origins. The elder sister, Shizuru, is a high school student with an ability to see and converse with ghosts and other beings. The younger sister, Mizuki, is in elementary school, and whilst she can hear and speak to ghosts and such, she can't see them, and is often possesed by them.
The story is essentially a supernatural slice-of-life tale which is told using an episodic format rather than having a "true" over-arching plot (very much like Mushishi, Natsume Yuujinchou, etc). This format allows one to jump in at any point with no real loss of enjoyment. Mokke incorporates many aspects of traditional Japanese myth and folklore that actually enhance the story to a great degree, especially given the differing perspectives that are on hand throughout the series (more on this in a bit).
The title is also very appropriate for a supernatural tale such as this, Mokke (もっけ), being the Hiragana representation of the Kanji mokke (勿怪), which basically means "unexpected".
The artwork for the series is extremely well done. The backgrounds roam freely between the picturesque rural setting, to the foreboding shadow infested nighttime forests. The detailed scenery adds a sense of depth and realism to the tale, especially when the characters are involved. In some parts the series may have a slightly surreal "Ghibli-esque" quality about the scenery, but given that much of this tale is set in the countryside that may only be natural.
The characters themselves are well designed. Shizuru and Mizuki have a fresh-faced, innocent look about them, a contrast to their grandparents, who are suitably careworn and elderly. The character design takes a realistic approach in terms of clothing and apparel, however the faces are often very simplistic to heighten the effect of emotions the characters are feeling. The downside to this though, is that there are occasions when the characters have a distinct "cartoon" feeling, which can throw people off by adding a comedic element where none is intended.
The sound is of a very high standard throughout the series. Kawasumi Ayako plays the role of Shizuru extremely well, whilst Mizuki Nana manages to capture the precociously playful persona of her namesake. The real star though, is Hori Katsunosuke, who provides a calm yet stern atmosphere to the grandfather.
The music used throughout the series is generally very good. The OP is a pleasant ballad which adopts a slightly more traditional style, however the ED was a bit too J-pop for my tastes. The background scores used throughout the series were very well selected, however there are moments that feel a little off (but that may just be me). That said, my favourite bits of the score are most definitely the creepy, music-box type pieces, as they are very much in keeping with certain stories told within the series.
The characters are one of the high points of the series. As is common with shows that use the epsiodic format, character development is often disjointed, or lacking entirely. Thankfully Mokke doesn't fall into this category either as both Shizuru and Mizuki are very real characters in terms of their thoughts, actions and perspectives. The most interesting part about the characters though, is how each views the various supernatural occurences in a different way. Shizuru is generally more able to handle some things on her own, and posseses a certain calming quality because of this. Mizuki, on the other hand, is all too aware of the fact that she is easily possesed, a fact which often impinges on her ability to do and say the things she wants.
The most defined character in the series though, is actually the grandfather of the two girls. He works as the local priest and is very familiar with things of a supernatural bent. Most importantly, he knows how to deal with such things, and he has taken on the role of protector for his two grandchildren. The great thing about his character is the fact that he is almost fully developed from the start of the series, and because of this he projects an air of assurance and capability that is sometimes lacking in older characters.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the series is the relationship between Shizuru, Mizuki and their grandfather. The various phenomena that occur can often be viewed from three very different perspectives, giving them a greater depth and impact. In addition to this, the grandfather may be viewed as callous and uncaring at times, however this is a gross misunderstanding. His role isn't simply that of a protector for the two girls, but also a teacher. He understands more than anyone that he has only so much time to teach the girls how to take care of themselves, and his attitude is highlighted well in the fourth episode (Waraiyami, or The Laughing Darkness). His stern nature is actually very important to the series as a whole, and the reason for his sometimes unforgiving method of teaching becomes very clear by the end of the series.
Mokke is an unusual and highly enjoyable series that will appeal to any fan of Mushishi, Ghost Hound, Natsume Yuujinchou, etc. The show has a certain innocent yet adventurous quality that is appealing to those who like folklore and mythology, and whilst it may lack some of the darker elements of Mushishi and Ghost Hound, this is only because it takes a very different approach to the supernatural.
On the whole, this is a very good series that I would recommend to any fan of slice-of-life shows. Fans of Aria would probably enjoy Mokke immensely, and any fan of supernatural shows will find this rewarding viewing. The detailed nature of the phenomena and how to deal with them sets it apart from most other supernatural series, making it more similar to Mushishi or Mononoke in certain respects. The characters are wonderfully realised though, and it is because of them that this show doesn't slide down the path of taking itself too seriously.
