Seirei no Moribito / Moribito - Guardian of the SpiritList: MAL | HummingbirdWatch: Official Trailer (Viz) | Hulu | NetflixPreface:Almost nine months ago, I wrote my first [WT!] post for Moribito. While I do feel that post did the anime justice, I haven't noticed the show gain much traction in conversation around the sub - even with the series' recent return to Netflix' anime catalog - and I see many recommendation requests for which Moribito is an ideal fit. Requests like:Anime with a strong female protagonistAnime I can watch with my parents / children / familyAnime that tell a completed storyAnime without sexualization / fanserviceAnime with impressive technical qualityThere are others as well, and the majority come from users who don't have Moribito anywhere on their MAL or Hummingbird lists. If any of those are things you're looking for in an anime, you owe it to yourselves to move Moribito to "Completed."The Basics:The initial premise of Moribito is quite simple: Balsa, an itinerant spear-wielder of great skill, becomes an unlikely bodyguard and caregiver to Chagum, the second prince of the New Yogo Empire, whose life is endangered by the belief that a water demon - a portent of drought - possesses the boy. If that sounds compelling enough, stop reading and get watching.Why Watch?Oh? You're still here? If it's because the premise of Moribito sounds generic at best, let me try to assuage that concern by enumerating the ways the series sets itself apart (and ahead) of other anime.WorldbuildingEffective worldbuilding should be a primary goal of any fantasy series, and Moribito's success in this arena is second-to-none within anime, especially for a series of its length. Original author Nahoko Uehashi gifts the audience a setting with roots in East Asian culture. Yes, culture. Rather than pasting a name onto "Generic Fantasy Kingdom #1," Moribito's primary setting of the New Yogo Empire draws from the history of feudal-era Japan and Southeast China, and infuses that combination with its own time-worn legends, which reflect politics as much as history. Likewise, the indigenous Yakue people are given an oral tradition of tales, naturist lore and even a plausible folk song - the origin of which is explored with the unfolding of Moribito's narrative. Russian and Himalayan influences can be seen in the regions of Rota and Kanbal, respectively. We also get fantasy weapons that appear functional, rather than being overly ornate or unwieldy. This is worldbuilding on an almost Tolkien-esque level; the result being immersion in a world that feels authentic, lived-in, and as familiar as it is fantastic.CharactersMoribito's other strongest aspect is its characters - which I hate numbering "2," as they are certainly the equal of the world they inhabit. This begins with their evocative designs. We have a heroine in Balsa who actually looks the part of a warrior - without being the object of fanservice - and one fit enough to wield a weapon. Chagum's initial appearance instantly conveys his status as a sheltered prince. And the secondary cast gives us shamans, assassins, and street kids, who - among others - all have designs expressive of their occupations and social classes. These characters are almost universally fleshed-out - allowing the viewer to see them as real people rather than archetypes - through their believable interactions with each other; they react appropriately to situations, and expository dialogue feels natural because it has proper context. To boot, the main characters are well-developed; Balsa and Chagum are forced by their circumstances to grow as individuals and in their relationship together. Some side characters also receive development as their perspectives change with new information. As a series without a true villain, Moribito leans heavily on its characters and their motivations to support and propel its narrative, and they do so in stellar fashion, while being a joy to watch.PresentationI've yet to see a TV anime series exhibit as much technical proficiency across all facets of its production as Moribito. Yes, that's a bold claim to make - especially for a show released in 2007 - but one I think Moribito backs up in spades, thanks to the talent behind it. The series was animated by Production I.G, a studio that - if nothing else - generally delivers a well-polished product. With this show, they outdo even themselves in that regard, largely thanks to director Kenji Kamiyama. The style used here is akin to many live-action epics, with frequent use of landscapes and perspective. Another thing that stands out is the amount of "unnecessary" motion, whether it be dragonflies skitting around or the movement of clouds - even during the fight scene linked below. Speaking of motion, it behooves me to mention that for not being an action series, the combat choreography (Episode 3, for those avoiding spoilers) in Moribito puts a fair number of those titles to shame. Kenji Kawai's glorious OST complements action scenes and character moments alike, and whether you watch dubbed or with subtitles, you're getting a top-notch voice cast. This is a series made by a team with a vision, and great care was taken to implement that vision with attention to detail, to the credit of the team and the benefit of the audience.CompletionThis is not a show that will leave you hanging at the end. Despite adapting only the first in the multi-volume Moribito novel series, the anime leaves no loose ends. The climax successfully weaves together seemingly unrelated narrative threads from previous episodes. The main plot is resolved completely without ever feeling rushed. And the audience is rewarded with due catharsis for seeing it through. While some may find fault with the series' methodical pacing, I can assure you that nothing goes to waste come the final episodes. It's fully-realized storytelling.ThemesMoribito may not be the kind of anime you watch while drinking a case of beer and munching popcorn with your buddies, but neither does it require you to sift through layers of symbolism to arrive at its message. It's a very accessible title; the themes are simple, yet universal. Practically everyone can relate to concepts like "family" and "duty," and it's these themes that make Moribito poignant and emotional without feeling heavy-handed. In fact, it's an excellent choice for family viewing because it can be so easily appreciated by viewers of all ages. That's something rare and commendable, anime or not.Conclusion:I heap lots of praise on Moribito - it is my favorite anime, after all - but I don't think I've oversold the series, here or ever. It's a show I fully believe deserves a place among any "anime pantheon" as one of the crowning jewels the medium has to offer. If you're among the many /r/anime subscribers who have yet to experience this masterpiece, I hope my words sway you into watching. There are so many things this series does right that even if you don't come away with the same love for Moribito that I have, it's still time well-spent.Past [WT!] Posts:Kemono no Souja ErinKure-naiHaNaYaMaTaHourou MusukoPatema InvertedBakumatsu Kikansetsu IrohanihohetoFutsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yatte Mita. http://ift.tt/1OtHLNV
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