(CR) Kemono no Souja Erin ~ Beast Player ~

[Kaoru Chujo]

I've seen the first two episodes and I'm pretty enthusiastic at the moment. The plots evolved as you would expect. You could even say they evolved in a cliched way. But it was well done and emotionally satisfying.

The voice acting was pretty good. Erin's mother was very good, I thought. She's played by seiyuu/stage actress Hirata Eriko, who is doing an even better job as Lady Aoi in the new Genji (particularly a scene in ep3).

Erin herself is played by singer/actress/photo idol Hoshii Nanase, 20. This is her first seiyuu role. Photos: Hirata Eriko (left) and Hoshii Nanase:

[jtstellar]

the way Erin's mother is presented in this series so far.. the wrinkles around the eye, the expression around the mouth, the way of speech.. all seems excessively gloomy. in terms of my character preference, i think the gloomy model is near the bottom of my list. i wonder if she is portrayed the same way in the novels.

[scr]

this is one of the better anime this season, i'm expecting an epic to reveal itself.
(and yes, Eirin, err, Erin looks like Yotsuba )

hopefully it will be as good as Popolocrois.

[FlareKnight]

Not a bad couple of episodes to start the series off. Though I'm not feeling very optimistic about Erin's mother here. In both episodes she's close to being in trouble over Touda issues. Luckily the young touda was found in the first episode and they figured out the food/poison issue in the second episode. But sooner or later something might happen that doesn't have a good solution to it.

At any rate I'm hoping that Wadan gets eaten by a Touda or something. Needs to get over that he's simply not in the same class as Soyon. Amazed that guy still has a job with how much he seems to mess things up. Just thinking of it, but maybe Saju's sister is going to be forced to marry that guy. Might explain why she was so depressed at the mention of getting married in episode 2. After all having to spend the rest of your life with that guy would make anyone depressed .

[Wuster]

The mother has death flags written all over her . Be strong Erin!

[Zu Ra]

Really nice choice for OP, the song is Shizuku .Though it does seem reminiscent of some other song . Cant point out which one exactly but great track choice: D

[Hamu]

I don't know about you, but the first time I heard the op it kind of reminded me of Akeboshi from Naruto's first ending song.

Just watched episode 3 and I love it so far. The whole mystery of the kiri tribe and Erin's mom past is really making a slow anime suspensful!

[Sorrow-K]

Ep 2

I was impressed by that. For what is essentially a kid's anime, that was really well written. The way they went about trying to figure out what was essentially a medical mystery... it was almost like an episode of House (minus the cynical yet magnetic lead). It's only been two episode, but I rather like what I've seen from this series so far.

[Blaat]

Originally Posted by Hamu

I don't know about you, but the first time I heard the op it kind of reminded me of Akeboshi from Naruto's first ending song.

Same here I kept thinking it's the same group who did the song (which is not case)

[Celestial Kitsune]

I decided to blog only the subbed versions because episode three was quite involved. So far, Erin is my favorite anime of the Winter season

Episode 4 Photoessay.

[jennkei]

Hrm, I can't help but feel ep 5 was rather underwhelming. Then again, I'm not very good with slower-paced anime...-wry- Nonetheless, I did do up some screenshots/a very brief summary.

[qmeister]

I've just watched Static-Subs Episode 3, and I think I'm going to like this show very much. It feels pretty much like most of Production IG's stuff recently, on the high end of watchable. They haven't really made any truly excellent stuff since Seirei no Moribito IMO, but since this is by the same author, I have some hope for it.

[Celestial Kitsune]

I enjoyed this episode

Episode 5 Photoessay.

[kamikazex]

ep 6 wtf. cruel world man

[jennkei]

Yeah, episode 6 got me all edgy when I was watching/screenshotting it. I guess they have to have a

Spoiler:

scapegoat, but Wodan didn't need to be so smug about it -__-

[SuperKnuckles]

I have never wished for an anime character's death as worse than with Wodan. That man needs a horrible fate.

[Sorrow-K]

Ep 3

I realize that was didactic, but I don't care. For a kid's anime, this is seriously smart, and it's exploring a theme about nature and animals that resonates with reality.

The potential of this anime seems to be growing with each episode.

[qmeister]

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

Ep 3

I realize that was didactic, but I don't care. For a kid's anime, this is seriously smart, and it's exploring a theme about nature and animals that resonates with reality.

The potential of this anime seems to be growing with each episode.

I expect, being more of a children's anime, it will try to be moderately didactic, but so far the direction has been top notch and it has never really felt preachy to me.

Also, we are beginning to see more of the politics of the nation come about which should prove interesting. Hopefully we will get to see Erin mature as a person, mentally if not physically, and seeing as it's a 50 episode series, I think we will.

[itisjustme]

Had high hopes seeing as this has the same author/producer as Seirei no Moribito but..

After two episodes, the art/animation looks lower budget, the pacing is really slow, especially at the beginning where you're supposed to hook the audience, none of the characters feel interesting so far, the mother looks so sickly she's almost a pain to watch and Erin looks far from being able to carry a show on her own the way Balsa did. Disappointing. =/

Does it get any better later on?

[qmeister]

Originally Posted by itisjustme

Had high hopes seeing as this has the same author/producer as Seirei no Moribito but..

After two episodes, the art/animation looks lower budget, the pacing is really slow, especially at the beginning where you're supposed to hook the audience, none of the characters feel interesting so far, the mother looks so sickly she's almost a pain to watch and Erin looks far from being able to carry a show on her own the way Balsa did. Disappointing. =/

Does it get any better later on?

You have to understand that this is aimed at a completely different audience than Moribito. It is for kids, almost, though I'd say 11-13 year olds for my part.
Hence they are trying to cut down on the violence by drawing in absolutely brilliant pastel art. Contrary to what others may think, this was an excellent decision, since it allows us to look at things from a child's point of view without decreasing the drama. The art is already better than so many other shows that are airing (understandable, since it's IG and all...), and I personally can't see anything worth complaining about.

If you've been following the economic trends lately, most animation studios in Japan are facing serious problems, and having to resort to layoffs or being completely safe in their choice of productions (like Asu no Yoichi, Akikan, yet another Higurashi spinoff, more FMA, the Eureka 7 movie... and Gonzo letting 3/4 of their employees go.). IG is taking a huge financial risk in doing Erin, and as a 50 episode series no less.

Erin is a completely believeable character, acting like a real child, quite innocent, and eager to help those around her. She has normal friends, and a hardworking single mother, she likes animals and nature. Perhaps she does not capture the audience like Balsa, but what will be interesting is how she will grow throughout this series.
I have many expectations of Erin, and I'm quite sure it/she will not disappoint.