Anime Review: Nabari no Ou
I finished watching this last night, and liked it...very fast-paced, interesting characterizations, lots of action, a high body count, and an fascinating take on ninja politics that wasn't just another Naruto retread.
The artwork was lovely as well, with landscapes and backgrounds given a pretty watercolor quality which contrasted strongly with the blood and violence of the goings-on.
High school student Miharu Roukujou doesn't know that he's the bearer of the Shinrabanshou, a mystical superpower. In fact there's a lot he doesn't remember, afflicted by amnesia that seems to be tied to a traumatic event in his early childhood.
Now an apathetic, depressed teenager, Miharu is unexpectedly thrust into the underground world of rival ninja villages that exist outside the mainstream of modern Japan, and quickly discovers that none of his friends and allies are what they seem, and most of them do not have his best interests at heart. Everyone wants to control the Shinrabanshou, and many are willing to kill to get it.
Miharu forms an unexpected bond with one of the assassins sent after him, a teenaged boy name Yoite, who can kill simply by willing his opponent dead. But his ability comes with a high price, draining away his life force and rotting away his body. Yoite believes that Miharu's powers can save him, and as Miharu slowly comes out of his shell, and finds his purpose in trying to aid Yoite, the power struggle around him accelerates.
The stakes are high, many characters die, and this makes for compelling viewing.
So why am I not giving this series a grade of A?
Well, I found the last two episodes rather weak, as the producers wimped out on revealing the true nature of Shinrabanshou and what it can do, and never paid off the setup in the early episodes of having Miharu being the candidate for "Nabari no Ou," or ruler of the underground ninja world. Instead, the series opted instead to go for one of those bitter-sweet sentimental endings that the Japanese love so well. And, unlike Kurenai, at least everyone managed to stay in character, and everything up to the end of the series was a lot of fun.
Grade: B+
The artwork was lovely as well, with landscapes and backgrounds given a pretty watercolor quality which contrasted strongly with the blood and violence of the goings-on.
High school student Miharu Roukujou doesn't know that he's the bearer of the Shinrabanshou, a mystical superpower. In fact there's a lot he doesn't remember, afflicted by amnesia that seems to be tied to a traumatic event in his early childhood.
Now an apathetic, depressed teenager, Miharu is unexpectedly thrust into the underground world of rival ninja villages that exist outside the mainstream of modern Japan, and quickly discovers that none of his friends and allies are what they seem, and most of them do not have his best interests at heart. Everyone wants to control the Shinrabanshou, and many are willing to kill to get it.
Miharu forms an unexpected bond with one of the assassins sent after him, a teenaged boy name Yoite, who can kill simply by willing his opponent dead. But his ability comes with a high price, draining away his life force and rotting away his body. Yoite believes that Miharu's powers can save him, and as Miharu slowly comes out of his shell, and finds his purpose in trying to aid Yoite, the power struggle around him accelerates.
The stakes are high, many characters die, and this makes for compelling viewing.
So why am I not giving this series a grade of A?
Well, I found the last two episodes rather weak, as the producers wimped out on revealing the true nature of Shinrabanshou and what it can do, and never paid off the setup in the early episodes of having Miharu being the candidate for "Nabari no Ou," or ruler of the underground ninja world. Instead, the series opted instead to go for one of those bitter-sweet sentimental endings that the Japanese love so well. And, unlike Kurenai, at least everyone managed to stay in character, and everything up to the end of the series was a lot of fun.
Grade: B+