What could be considered the eternal form of peace? Is it the protection of the land or the destruction of the land? There's a fine line between the two and the motivations for either goal are almost exactly the same. Otogi Zoshi explores the ideas of peace, loss, and the extent to which people will go to protect what is sacred to them. But, that wasn't why I bothered to watch this. I just love anything feudal Japan, so I had to see this anime for myself.
Story
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The story is split up into two parts: The Heian Arc (my personal favorite) and the continuation which
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is The Tokyo Arc.
The Heian Arc is set in ancient Japan. It is about a girl named Hikaru who takes the place of her brother as a warrior in order to retrieve the sacred Magatama, said to be able to bring peace to the capital (her home). She is accompanied initially by her brother's retained servant, Tsuna, but meets other companions along the way. Each place the team goes to find a Magatama, they encounter strange, usually power hungry opponents possessed into a rage of hatred and vengeance. It should be mentioned that, from time to time, Hikaru meets this strange dancer named Mansairaku who helps her out.
Though a bit confusing for the first couple of episodes, you eventually understand the basic plot and are wowed by the plot twists if you continue to pay attention. This part was done exceptionally well and throws out many surprises along the way.
The Tokyo Arc is set in modern day Japan. It is about a teenage landlord named Hikaru who is searching for her lost brother. Her brother's friend Tsuna is a paranormal writer who helps her. Strange happenings around Tokyo confuse them but also bring them closer to the truth. A strange man named Mansairaku helps her out sometimes. This part (sorry if this is considered a major spoiler) is the story about the reincarnation of the characters from the Heian arc. You aren't really told why until the end.
I didn't like this part as much because the end seemed a bit messy and a few things didn't match up with the Heian Arc. Still, there are moments where you feel like you're in on some sort of inside joke when one of the characters exhibits something from their past life. Also, then end seemed a bit empty to me. I'm a bit of a romantic and, though the romance wasn't an entirely big part of the story, I was disappointed at how it seemed to be discarded or switched around in the second part. But maybe this is just an obvious contrast between the two different eras (like how the ancient period was more romantic because of how life was fleeting versus modern times when everything seems so concrete and safe) but it just bugged me a little bit. The ending seemed abrupt, but satisfies most of the story. The last two episodes seem thrown in and pointless, the last episode just being really depressing.
Art
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Definitely not your run-of-the-mill anime artwork. It gives off a very mature feel which compliments the mature subject matters being addressed. The colors were toned down and bleak to match the mood. I like this style more than most other anime because you seldom see so much detail and realistic consideration in the character styles.
Sound
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The voice acting was great, but I found the music to be a tad bit annoying. I liked the opening theme of the Heian Arc but hated all of the music from the Tokyo Arc. Plus, Hikaru's repetitive flute song got to be annoying. Really, does she only know that one song? I know it was meant to be sentimental, but it got on my nerves a little bit.
Character
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These characters actually develop or, at least, they do in the Heian Arc. You can feel Hikaru's apprehension but developing and unwavering resolve, despite not being completely aware of the truth of her situation. The other supporting characters develop as well, realizing things about life that they may have overlooked and building trust between their fellow companions.
The Tokyo Arc is a little different. Hikaru is less serious and more teenager-y. She spends most of her time just questioning things and not really understanding the gravity of what she's dealing with. On top of that, she is a lot more impulsive, which complicates her journey to understanding even more.
Enjoyment
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As you may have already noticed, I have more love for the Heian Arc. This is the better part of the story, I believe. In fact, I could go as far as saying that you should probably skip the Tokyo Arc completely if you are totally satisfied with the end of the Heian Arc. Sure, some things are more thoroughly explained in the second part but it isn't much and it isn't really that important. A lot of what happens is tragic, but both parts have a "happy" ending. Why quotation marks? Because its a very subjective happiness. In both endings, something is lost but something is regained.
The last episode of the Tokyo Arc and, subsequently, the series isn't really much about the story but musings on life, death, human connection to land and the questioning of time. Unless you're into these deep topics, you might find the episode to be tedious or depressing.
It makes me a little sad that I can't really up my rating of enjoyment because of the Tokyo Arc. Were I just reviewing the Heian Arc, I'd give it a solid 10.
Overall, this gets a 9 because I'm perfectly happy with the Heian Arc. Even the Tokyo Arc had a beauty to it and is by no means horrible. I'd recommend this to anyone and say that this anime is one of my favorites.
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Jul 28, 2011
Otogizoushi
(Anime)
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What could be considered the eternal form of peace? Is it the protection of the land or the destruction of the land? There's a fine line between the two and the motivations for either goal are almost exactly the same. Otogi Zoshi explores the ideas of peace, loss, and the extent to which people will go to protect what is sacred to them. But, that wasn't why I bothered to watch this. I just love anything feudal Japan, so I had to see this anime for myself.
Story ---- The story is split up into two parts: The Heian Arc (my personal favorite) and the continuation which ... 
Jul 28, 2011
Fushigi Yuugi: Eikouden
(Anime)
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Let me first start off by saying that I first encountered the "Fushigi Yuugi" series when I was very young. It started with getting a few manga here and there and then stumbling upon the anime a few years later. Because of this, I sort of hold the series as one of my 'classics'. It was one of the first manga/anime I'd seen and took interest in. You never realize how lame the things you liked when you were younger are until you've grown up a bit. No, the story wasn't very good. No, I didn't like Miaka at all because she was a
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