Hello everyone,
Here we are for another review of a good erogè/anime series of some years ago. This we'll be reviewing Utawarerumono based on an original erogè from Leaf (a company famous for the To Heart series and for White Album)
Let's start with a synopsis :
An injured man named Hakuoro is found unconscious in the forest by Eruruu, grand daughter of the local healer Tuskuru. He awakens to find a mask attached to his face and that he lacks any memories of his past. He quickly rises in importance because he is seen as a natural leader who helps those in need.
An injured, amnesiac man with a mysterious mask is found abandoned in the forest. After he is nurtured back to health, he is given the name Hakuoro. After saving the village from a wrathful deity, he adopts the role of the village's leader. Although wishing to live in peace, fate eventually forces him down the path of war and battle...
I'll be honest, when I first watched this anime series I was happy to see that there is still someone who risk using a fantasy setting with a rather complex/intricate plot.
The whole setting is stunning, especially with all the different tribes (all with different traits inherited from a particular animal), all inside a fictional world in which everything looks similiar to feudal Japan with various local lords, etc...
The world they live in is well defined even thought in the ending there are shocking revelations that leave you somehow "wtf"!
The story is wonderful and while it is divided into arcs they do not look separate from the main story, but a direct continuation with consequences from the older arcs.
Probably the best arc is the Niwe one, where all the characters are present and the battles are still conventional and there are no mecha crumbling armies.
The characters are many, and all of them are likable. You'll find yourself loving each and everyone of the main cast (The only one I don't like too much is Urtoriy)
My favourite character is...well, my heart still fight to decide between two girls.
First of all my love for Touka. Her story as narrated from the erogè was very cute and the OAV that focused on her were too funny. (Who laughed hard for the puppet story raise the hand!)
And then we have Eruruu as...well, the charm of a always loyal girl that do everything for you is high. So for this series, let's go with two favourite. :D
The graphical quality was top notch for the time and the animations was mostly consistent for the whole duration of the series. (even the battle scenes looked quite nice to be honest)
I particularly loved the opening animation featuring various battles and almost all the characters! (Watching Aruruu kicking ass with her tiger shouting "don't touch my dad!" is priceless!)
The sound quality is quite high even thought the seiyuu were not the most famous. Particular note should go to Atsuko Tanaka's role as Karura, I loved her mature voice!
I loved both opening and ending song of this series. I still hear from time to time the ending "Madoromi no Rinne" sung by Eri Kawai. (Maybe you remember her for the Tales of Symphonia "almateria" song)
Concluding, this is a series I strongly suggest to anyone. Be it for the battles, or for the girls go and watch it. It's worth your time!
See you soon,
feal87