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

[Joojoobees]

Ooohhh, this show always seems so short.

Episode 7:
Another episode with beautiful artwork. I am amazed at how many new locations are featured in this episode. They must have to do a lot of design work to set up for a shot like the Star-gazing chamber, or the mill house. Perhaps some of the other new locations are a little easier for the animators to improv (Toragai in the mountains, Shuga in the hallway, and the funeral scene at the waterfall).

[Berserker]

After watching episode 7, I am liking Chagum more and more. Does anyone else like him, too?

[KiNA]

I think almost all of us here respect that kid ^^

[SeijiSensei]

I was thinking back over the scene in episode seven where Balsa and Tanda laugh at Chagum's proposal. I doubt anyone in his entire lifetime had ever laughed at him in this way before. No wonder he looked so hurt and surprised.

Chagum has a lot of potential as an Emperor. I think we'll see more of him as the "emperor in training who grows in character by first living among his future subjects." Chagum makes his proposal after contemplating the cost of living.

On a different note, I showed episode 1 to a 50+ female friend who never watches anime but has an artistic side and likes historical romances. (I've shown her two OP's in the past, from Rahxephon which was playing on her cable service, and from Mahou Shougotai Arusu, which I had on a disk.) She was awed by the animation in Seirei (how could anyone not be awed by the rice paddies?), impressed with how strong Balsa's character was, and immediately caught up in the story. At the end she realized that this was just the beginning of a series about these characters. When I explained that it would probably be about 26 episodes long, she was even more intrigued.

To bring someone like her into the American market for anime probably requires carrying anime programming on HBO, where they'd get HBO's cachet of "quality," on PBS, for the same reason, or perhaps on another cable network like USA Network, Lifetime or Oxygen. All these channels would appreciate that "glossy" look that others have mentioned as well.

[GriS]

Episode 8

Though dialogues seem to be excessive for an episode, it's flawless and never bore me. Hearing from both sides before finalising the conclusion is one thing we tend to overlook, especially in accusation case.

At first, I thought the smith is talking about Barsa herself, disguising the case by mentioning it took place 26 years old, only later then I realised it's her foster father, Jiguro.

An impressive episode, given its talkative nature.

[monir]

Episode 8 is brilliant! Simply brilliant. Now that's a conversation. I wish I knew an old man like that who can have such command in story telling and yet, at the same time, compelling enough to have others tell their story to him. I'm ashamed to admit that my initial impression of this old man was that of a nosy geezer who was too full of himself. In the end, the reason behind his insistence on knowing the story of a person who wants him to make a sword, turns out to be a kind prep-talk for his own motivation and mental adjustment as a sword maker, or in other words, how motivated he will be to make a sword/spear for a warrior.

I'm truly touched by this episode. Balsa-neesan, you are one in a million.

Originally Posted by Kira_Naruto

I think almost all of us here respect that kid ^^

Whoa, KiNa! Pleasantly surprised to see you post in this thread because it also confirms you are watching it which also means I can request gifs and the likes if I want to.

[Joojoobees]

Episode 8: This show continues to impress. I enjoyed watching Balsa practice with her spear. That swordsmith is really quite tricky. More revelations about Balsa's past.

What's not to like?

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by monir

I'm truly touched by this episode. Balsa-neesan, you are one in a million.

*raises Balsa-neesan flag left and right*

[ssfsx17]

Episode 8 is where the hand of the director of GITS SAC really begins to show: an episode that would have been a boring filler episode with bad animation is instead a captivating work of art.

[SeijiSensei]

It also makes me think they're doing a good job of budget management for this show. This episode, effective though it was, probably cost a lot less to produce than, say, episodes one or three. Some productions spend a lot of money up front, and you can see the quality decline over the lifespan of the series when the producers start to hit the budgetary ceiling. Episodes like this one give me hope that this show will not meet such a fate.

[Joojoobees]

Yeah, episode three is the one I recommend people check out to see what the show is if they really need convincing.In fact, I just watched it again, earlier tonight, and I was impressed anew by how awesome it is in so many ways.

Now that we are into the series a bit, I am really enjoying these development episodes. But I realize that at some point there will be another action episode and it will be amazing, because the quality of this show just does not let up.

[kujoe]

One thing I like about episode 8 is the voice acting performance of the smith. Even without the aid of subtitles and some incomprehensible lines here and there, he still got me listening. Must be due to the guy's voice. That's the kind of voice I would like to have when I'm all gray and old.

Oh yeah, about that conversation regarding Jiguro...

Spoiler:

Is the old man implying that Balsa is of noble birth, or that perhaps her real family was involved in Kanbal politics?

[runpsicat]

Spoiler:

The latter.

[Sorrow-K]

Ep 8

I just cannot believe how good this show is. It just continues to go from strength to strength. Absolutely incredible character interactions and dialogue and just completely captivating atmosphere, thanks to virtually perfect animation and music. This show just refused to even think about putting a step wrong.

More eps like this, and I'd be almost willing to throw the "masterpiece" label at this series. It really is shaping up to be a true epic.

[Sean]

both plot and dialogue of e8 are elaborate and touching.

[monir]

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

More eps like this, and I'd be almost willing to throw the "masterpiece" label at this series. It really is shaping up to be a true epic.

Just give it a 10 when you do your review for this series and I'll know you labeled it as "masterpiece" without even uttering that word.

*monir joins with Kujoe to wave Neesan's flag frantically*

Also, requesting some shiny aviators that features Balsa-neesan and other non-important figures.

[wao]

Originally Posted by monir

Just give it a 10 when you do your review for this series and I'll know you labeled it as "masterpiece" without even uttering that word.

*monir joins with Kujoe to wave Neesan's flag frantically*

Also, requesting some shiny aviators that features Balsa-neesan and other non-important figures.

Ask and you shall...



But I think I'll leave the shiny aviator-making to the pros next time!

Anyway, episode 9 was not bad either - not that much movement but somehow I found it interesting as well. Mostly Shuga-centered.

Spoiler:

Shuga finally figures out that contrary to his observations of how the crops are doing well and the fishes are all larger than usual, there is going to be a drought coming soon. Of course he finds it from the knowledgeable Tanda who shows him the egg of a praying mantis. If it's laid low that means the next season there's going to be less water... and Shuga is probably going to put 2 + 2 together (esp. with Chagumu's mother telling him she has a feeling he's still alive) and figure out that Chagumu is still alive.

Again the details were too good. The argument between whatshisname and Shuga was nice in a way that I could really feel that whashisname was quite spiteful. But what was best was when Sagum asked those guards to bring over the documents and they looked a little crushed - because of the scuffle over them. Either I was imagining it or that was just a really good detail!!

Also, Sagum is such a nice guy. I don't know what it was exactly but when he told Shuga about the time with him and the birds (is that wounded bird the one that's now kept in Sagum's room?) I got this feeling that he wistfully looked at his brother with a bit of admiration and feeling of protectiveness because Sagum himself seemed like the more passive sort of person... I dunno (I'm not making sense here anymore)

Ah, and Chagum interacting with kids his age was sooo cute. I can't get over how :3-inducing that whole family is! It's particularly nice how Tanda and Barusa are both equally involved and aren't just acting out their own gender roles. I'll be really very sad if they ever have to break up... damnit.

I'm starting to think I erally should watch this with subtitles though, seriously about half of the conversation in this episode flew over my head

[Sorrow-K]

Originally Posted by monir

Just give it a 10 when you do your review for this series and I'll know you labeled it as "masterpiece" without even uttering that word.

*monir joins with Kujoe to wave Neesan's flag frantically*

Also, requesting some shiny aviators that features Balsa-neesan and other non-important figures.

Never given a "10" before. I didn't even give a "10" to Monster, though I certainly thought long and hard about that one. This has to be brilliant for another 16 weeks yet. After that, I may consider it.

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by wao

Ask and you shall...

ROFL. I especially liked the silver Andou Mabuki at the top, not to mention those goggles.

Guess I'd better watch my spellings; you never can tell what might result!

[KiNA]

Originally Posted by monir

Whoa, KiNa! Pleasantly surprised to see you post in this thread because it also confirms you are watching it which also means I can request gifs and the likes if I want to.

I lost my lurking coat ... ;_;

On to ep 8... I think i never seen an anime that dont use flashback when retelling something like this ... Yet, here I am in awed listening to the old man talking about a great warrior of his time :O

If wao cant understand half the episode rawed.. I guess I cant understand 10% of it ;_; ....