(L) Seirei no Moribito (Guardian of the Sacred Spirit)

[xPresagio]

Only one now, since episode 25 has already been translated.

And I share the same feelings that some of you have expressed about such chapter:

Spoiler:

Indeed the "underwhelming" feeling comes not from the events, but how they were presented in the Anime.

I can easily imagine the written novel portraying the urgency to find Chagum once they found that there was more than one La Lunga being pursuing him, the shocking expression on all after finding out that were more than one "egg" (*), and the seemingly impossible task of containing waves after waves of voracious creatures, while at the same time, hearing the pleads from the very same person they so desperately want to protect, stating that would rather sacrifice himself, if surviving the trial would mean the condemnation of all the nation/world.

Thinking in it, the script was perfectly fit for this episode to be the highest point of the series, but again, I didn't get such feelings as strong as I probably have gotten while reading the book. -It's less about the lack of more blood/choreographed combat scenes, and more about not having expressions (including body language) from the characters, dramatically highlighting the events and overall distress/confusion they were all going through at that moment.

Happily enough, it improved a lot once the "battle" ended. The extraction of the egg and the way it was collected by the nahji really gave me that mix of joy-nostalgic feeling, washing away all my desires of the story to have had a stronger political connotation, instead leaving that peaceful sensation that at the end, it was all about nature, its strange ways to balance itself, and how we as humans perceive and record such events, slowly fading away as myths and legends.

Not having seen chapter 26 yet, I can only hope that some questions like the aforementioned hidden archers are answered, as well as some thoughts from Shuuga and Torogai about the Fire people and the future of the nation, regarding the Seirei(*) affairs.

Will they actually expose the faults of the official Kingdom story to the common folk (and thus create doubts a about the "holy" origin of previous Emperors) or decide to protect the status quo, even if "tying" all the loose ends involve the actual saviors of the nation.

[Joojoobees]

Originally Posted by xPresagio

Will they actually expose the faults of the official Kingdom story to the common folk (and thus create doubts a about the "holy" origin of previous Emperors) or decide to protect the status quo, even if "tying" all the loose ends involve the actual saviors of the nation.

I, of course, don't know, but it would make the most sense for them to find a way to declare Chagum the savior of the Empire even though he is officially dead, and even though it causes problems for the official history of the founding. The people will be very happy to know that the new Emperor will be someone awesome enough to save them, and it does no one any good to leave people wondering who will succeed to the throne, now that Chagum's brother is dead.

[grey_moon]

Absolutely wonderful story. This just broke into my top 10 of all time favourites. Balsa just kicks too much arse is is wonderful.

I loved the way how there were no real evil characters in this, just lots of shades of grey it made for a real refreshing change to the normal fantasy flicks.

Most defiantly top on my shopping list

[Anh_Minh]

Spoiler for ep 26:

I can't believe it's over. I mean, it told a complete, very satisfying story, even if it leaves a few things unexplained. But I have this feeling it just can't be all. Or maybe I just want more.

In other news, we still don't know why the emperor and the Great Sage were such douches at the beginning. The Emperor is still a self-serving jerk who'd look better with a dagger in his eye.

Chagum grew up nicely. Torogai looks like she'll bury us all. Some Balsa x Tanda romance wouldn't be unwelcome, but isn't forthcoming. Damn.

[Karnot]

I agree. It would be aproppriate if Chagum stabbed him in the back. I mean, come one, the arrogant bastard ordered his death, TWICE ! Ordered Balsa,s death, TWICE ! Just kill him and live happily ever after.

[Anh_Minh]

Spoiler for ep 26:

Also, for an onsen episode, there was a remarkable lack of fanservice. Damn, I really wanted a better look at the Balsamune.

[Slice of Life]

Warning. Shameless fanboy rave following.

Over and out. Masterpiece.

Seirei no Moribito was the best anime starting in 2007 so far and I can't see any October show becoming a challenger.

The anime is not perfect, no anime is. But I see it well in the upper ten percent of the quality scale for character, story, and animation (or maybe better: "visual component"). For enjoyment anyway. Thus I'm willing to give 10/10 points in all these categories and 10/10 overall. And I'm not somebody to lightly throw such ratings around.

OK, OK, I admit I'm trying to ignore the sound department here. OP and ED are just too important, and the horrible, horrible OP that made me pray for a carpet bombihumanitarian intervention at a L'Arc de Ciel concert pushes the sound rating down to 6, maybe 7 if I'm generous.

It's hard, at least for me, to explain what an anime does right. So I refrain myself to give a few examples what it didn't do wrong.The setting didn't look contrived for the sake of the story, the story not for the sake of the characters, and the characters were believable and rich. The setting, while complex, also never became too much for the author to handle. (Gonzo, I'm looking at you.) SnM also never resorted to fanservice, hijinx, random explosions, moe, or gar.

SnM managed to do with high quality ingredients composed by a masterchef what many other anime try to archive with BBQ sauce. "Seirei no Moribito didn't need to ... and was still much better." looks like a great all-purpose argument for anime bashing for the near future. I will try to resist that temptation.

Thanks to those-who-cannot-be-named for doing the unspeakable at such a great quality level.

[Blaat]

A satisfying ending and overall a great show, had fun watching this.

Spoiler for ep 26/TandaxBalsa:

I feel sorry for Tanda, even the odd looking kid is making fun of his lack of success with Balsa. Still I suppose Balsa thinking of Tanda's food, when she crosses the border, is the closest thing we can get to her having feelings for Tanda. You know what they say the way to a man's heart is through the stomach

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

Spoiler for ep 26:

Also, for an onsen episode, there was a remarkable lack of fanservice. Damn, I really wanted a better look at the Balsamune.

QFT

[juventas]

Ooh, I hope they animate the second book.

[Joojoobees]

I don't want Balsa to go!

If they brought out a second season, I would be there in an instant.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

Spoiler:

Also, for an onsen episode, there was a remarkable lack of fanservice. Damn, I really wanted a better look at the Balsamune.

Spoiler:

Anyone noticed the scar across Balsa's back? Wonder how she sustained that injury.

[Mithinco]

Great show. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Anh_Minh]

I prefer to use spoilers for a day or two after the sub's release.

[Hyperion]

Wow. What a great anime. I give it a 11/10. Its one of those shows thats just so refreshing, makes me wish there were more like this. And I do hope for a season 2, and a US release.

[Karnot]

I don't think this really needs a spoiler any more now that the subs are out.

I dont think you clearly understand what exactly is a spoiler and why people hate the idiots who spoil things for them.

[Gameboiye]

Well if they decide to animate the second volume http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardian_series then I'm definitely going to watch that too.

[imotheb]

No doubt one of the best shows this season, great story and characters.

Really hope they make Yami no morabito with (at least) the same quality asap

[Archuka]

Whoa! So there are ten(!) novels in the series. All this time I thought this was an anime original, though obviously I hadn't done any actual research on it.

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I'd love to see more of it. Unfortunately animating the entire series will likely not happen and would probably take many, many years even if they did. I was especially annoyed with Balsa being so stubborn with Tanda, so I'd like to see that issue finally corrected in a second season.

[Sinestra]

Loved the series sad its over. I had been watching it inbetween other series and it was always a nice distraction. One thing i especially loved was the dialog through out the series. Also, i loved the animation as well Balsa was charasmatic character. It was wrapped up quite well the only thing i would really wish to see, is what would happen between Tanda and Balsa once she comes back. But i guess in several way it was applied what would eventually happen. The feelings were obvious between both of them.

[itis]

Originally Posted by Archuka

Whoa! So there are ten(!) novels in the series. All this time I thought this was an anime original, though obviously I hadn't done any actual research on it.

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I'd love to see more of it. Unfortunately animating the entire series will likely not happen and would probably take many, many years even if they did. I was especially annoyed with Balsa being so stubborn with Tanda, so I'd like to see that issue finally corrected in a second season.

Unless they skip over the events in the second novel, Tanda won't be in the second season (if they do decide to do a second season).

Spoiler for spoiler about the second novel:

The second novel pertains to Balsa going back to her homeland. Tanda isn't in it.

I personally think that if they do decide to do a second season, they should skip the second book (it is so boring), and do it on the third book.