1.) The visual presentation. The animation looks pretty good, and while not entirely consistent across the board (including a few rough CGI sequences), there are some breathtaking scenes with some excellent key framing and striking visuals. What's more, the visual style of this show is gorgeous, with bold lines, and a vibrant, unique color palette, employing bright colors mixed with more muted tones that remind me of hand drawn cel animation. This is particularly noticeable in the intro, which I love. The cinematography and direction also have standout moments. The show has both a great sense of style as well as a great sense of humor, and this comes across in its visuals. Speaking of-
2.) the sense of humor is pretty decent. It does take some getting used to, particularly from the fourth wall breaking priest who can see into the future. There is a particular brand of freneticism to it that evokes shonen anime from the 80s and 90s, but the visual gags are often elevated in a way that puts a smile on your face, even if you're not outright belly laughing. This also achieves an interesting effect when sharply contrasted against darker moments, which brings me to my final and probably most controversial point
3.) the tone. The tone is a dual one. On one hand you have a typical shonen adventure with a wacky cast of youngsters: the capricious yet sincere prince, the serene shrine maiden, the mischevious ninja, the quirky mentor, the silly and menacing villains, etc. Typical themes of togetherness, loyalty, finding oneself, they're all here.
Yet the show can also be soberingly brutal, which is apt for the setting of a historical drama, just as its more playful aspects lend themselves well to the clearly embelished and magical elements of the story. While I wouldn't be praising this quality if it felt edgy, melodramatic or expoitative, in execution the contrast feels very appropriate, and it is in this contrast that some of the show's themes diverge from the usual shonen fare. Leveraging your deviancy, the use of asymetrical stratagems, the tenebrous honor of subterfuge, overcoming suvivor's guilt by rising to the occasion.
The show embracing its contradictions, instead of tip-toeing around them, keeps you invested in what's happening, and elevates the unique qualities of each character. It also helps reconcile the two opposing thematic aspects of the plot: a coming of age story about bright eyed youths, and a bloody, merciless succession battle. The characters are authentically touched by the darkness of this world, but it never becomes the focal point. It is through this feeling that I think the ultimate theme of the show is on display, just as our lead grows metaphorical wings to escape the miasma of death and destruction below him, he also soars above its dark influence to protect his heart so that he might remain the kind and sincere man his country needs.
I could see some people being put off by the somewhat jarring tone, and others questioning who this show is even for. I think I respect it for that, and appreciate what feels like a director's unique vision. I would almost describe watching this as what I imagine children's stories were like generations ago, where parents regale kids with semi-historical tales full of blunt tragedy but also mirth and fantasy.
