Review: Shounen Onmyouji (MAJOR SPOILERS)
"Don't use names lightly. Names have meaning and importance!"
- Touda upon being called 'Mokkun' by Masahiro in their first encounter.
This is going to be my first review because I am pumped up to review this anime, the anime that became my top 3, putting Yu-Gi-Oh in top 4. If I could, I'd put Shounen Onmyouji in my top 2 with Hikaru No Go.
On a short synopsis, Shounen Onmyouji is about the heir and successor of the great Abe no Seimei, Masahiro's grandfather, as an omnyouji, one who deals with the supernatural. The setting is in the Heian era where demons, spirits, and curses threaten the capital. Masahiro is having trouble living up to this expectation especially being called as "Seimei's grandson." Just as when he was about to quit his dream of becoming an Onmyouji, he sees a white mononoke who believes that for sure he will be the onmyouji to surpass his grandfather.
Shounen Onmyouji is a series I continued watching out of personal preference. A boy with special powers. In Masahiro's case, he apparently has a latent spiritual power that can never be found again. I thought it is a pretty old anime because of the art style, and because I've never heard of it, but to my surprise it is around 2005 it came out. Eventually, the banter between Masahiro and Mokkun, the antics of Abe no Seimei, Masahiro's violent rants and others - I became attached to the series. The thing is, while I skipped scenes where the hopeless damsel-in-distress causes problems for our lead, I took this generic story for granted.
I didn't expect much from the anime. When the god of Kifune reappeared right at the next episode when Masahiro released it from its curse, I was surprised. I thought we just had an "event" so Masahiro could defeat the villain of the day. Instead, the god actually paid a role and it just went on. There are things I had considered to be random that actually relate to the plot and character progress. One perfect example is Akiko-look-alike who went to the palace in her stead. I thought "What a deus ex machina so that the male lead could have his girl" but they actually brought that topic back again and discussed about the political state of the matter. Not only that, but they were actually concerned for that person. The other is in the second arc when a ghost inhibited Masahiro. It didn't help much with the plot, but it helped with his character and how he became a stronger onmyouji.
But enough of spoilers that surprised me. What I really want to say was my realization of how much I took this series for granted. It was the gripping last few episodes - the ending. Shounen Onmyouji has a lot of overpowered cast. Masahiro, though teased to be a trainee, can pull out spells to save the day in the last minute (although he struggles first of course). His grandfather is also imba, more powerful than Masahiro and is more like the King Mickey in Kingdom Hearts. What's even more OP is the Twelve Summon Spirits. We only see nine but with that much powerful Shikigami who are loyal and fierce, what can REALLY go wrong? Well okay, Masahiro gets injuries. But even we know he's going to get healed or something. In fact, this does happen. But the trick is it's not about the balance of forces, but the choices our OP cast makes.
What counts most is seeing Masahiro struggle. Initially, I am convinced he will stay safe but he suffers a lot and I soon saw how he, once relying on the Shikigami and his grandfather, stood up on his own. He made his own decisions. He kept his secrets. In the ending, this becomes evident. The whole OP casts also makes an effort in delivering that. I really like the fact that the last boss is not defeated by a 13-year-old kid, but a genius with 50 years of experience. There's also meaning in this. We don't have a kid butting in an old man's personal business.
There's also the Shikigami who pretty much had to be off the cameras for taking Masahiro's injuries. Permanent injuries don't happen often in a show.
There's also the fact we see Masahiro change from realistic and believable, simple events. He doesn't whine and go angsty. He acts like a boy. Remembering how he fell in love at first sight, I realized just how true this is. I thought it was cliche but really, Masahiro is just being a boy. He doesn't just change from "major" events but by the decisions too. When it became a habit to him to patrol at night, he became more responsible. Even his determination to go to the Onmyouji Dorms is one proof he's not all talk. He doesn't become a BOOM genius too that have to be recognized by everyone. He's not a prat who have to punch bullies either to show how confident he became. Cheap tricks like those aren't the show's style.
I also learn something new from Masahiro. He has violent tantrums in his room but behaves properly outside. He has things boiled inside but his grandfather actually helps him deal with it. I'm glad I don't have to deal with unnecessary drama. Oh and I like the fact they like dangling details in the conversation like Masahiro's brothers. I was like "OMG HE HAS ONE? NO, TWO?!" It makes you think 1) where are they 2) why is Masahiro the successor then?
This is why the script is what I love the most in Shounen Onmyouji. It feels so natural. The delivery is awesome too. If it's funny, it's funny. At the end, I saw just how much feelings came with the characters. It's a true climax. Not by plot itself. It even scares me when they react. First, I didn't expect Masahiro to throw tantrums because he seemed so well-behaved. Then I didn't expect him to be crushed by those who envy him because I thought he was your I'm-strong-inside Shounen lead. Then I see him panic, breathe shakily, stare with unfocused eyes. He's so alive to me. Dynamic. Human. And there are times when I just know he needs to cry but wouldn't, I feel that I am lost for words.
At the last episode, I see him full of resolve and I thought "Yes, he's that Shounen now. Full of determination." When he killed Touda without any cheesy comments or QQ-drama - quick and simple, it pained me but also made me believed that Masahiro's not backing with his words. I was halfway convinced that he'd be trying to call Touda Mokkun repeatedly and crying like shit. He didn't. It was amazing.
But when he did die and able to cross the river? I realized that even with such a strong resolve, a boy like him at such a tender age couldn't possibly do it. He feared death and thought of his beloved living. He couldn't let go so easily. This was so intense because when I was watching, I was fully convinced that Masahiro's going to do it through and through. Indeed, I forgot he is still a boy. It is not weakness or the lack of strength. It is merely being a human being. This brings me to two things about the decision-making of the characters: turning back.
Kazame is one of those who didn't go back when things weren't irreversible. I thought it was just some yada-yada about her falling into darkness. I didn't know they were serious. There was no turning back. She was betrayed and worse, killed. Those she loved also perished. Indeed, there had been no turning back. When she spoke to Rikougo, I cried when she stated how she wished she had taken his hand at the time he told her to return before things are truly too late.
Masahiro experienced the same thing but he chose to come back.
Lastly, I'd like to emphasize the names, which is pretty much what I really wanted to say about the series. Why I felt it was a work of art. I didn't pay attention to this and I bet others may have not noticed but the running gag with Masahiro calling Mokkun "mononoke" or "mokkun" and Mokkun calling Masahiro "Seimei's grandson" has a deep meaning with their relationship and the thing we call names.
Masahiro is deeply affected by how he lives under Seimei's shadow. But we don't see him frequently engaging in this dilemma, nor does this get directly addressed. Bit by bit, there are sides of him revealed about this insecurity. What made me notice this importance was when Kou told Seimei that "[Masahiro] truly is your grandson" and Seimei wonders if that really is true. It brings back to Masahiro's problem and how his actions finally show recognition. I realized then just how big Mokkun's role is by believing in Masahiro to be able to surpass Seimei when others don't see his potential at all.
Next is Mokkun, whose real name is Touda. But Seimei gave him the name "Gurren" too. This was confusing for me at first - like, what's the point? Apparently, when at his real form, Touda wants to be called Gurren because the name is special to him. Mokkun was the name Masahiro gave when he didn't know Touda's real identity. This creates 3 identities: Touda, the feared spirit, Gurren, the kind spirit Seimei and Masahiro knows, and Mokkun, Masahiro's friend. At the ending, this is what made me cry so much. When Touda loses his memory, the name Mokkun no longer refers to him; therefore, Masahiro's friend is gone. When he utters "Mokkun", tears fall from his eyes because Touda will no longer respond to that name. This shocked me as to how much this name thing is so important.
Even more is the revelation with Rikougo and the Shikigami who seems to be Suzaku's love interest. Rikougo shares his real name to his beloved and Suzaku wakes said Shikigami by using the name only he uses to call her, similar with Masahiro being the only one to call Touda Mokkun. Even the god of Kifune has this name thing though if it has such relevance, I don't know. But it's consistent. Names have power and this is what Mokkun meant.
I'd recommend this series to anyone. It's a 26-episode series that managed to execute a successful story through wonderful storytelling. I've never thought a short series could do so well. I cried a bucket at the ending. Its ending simply is the most powerful ending I have ever seen and I consider it the strongest in the whole series.
- Touda upon being called 'Mokkun' by Masahiro in their first encounter.
This is going to be my first review because I am pumped up to review this anime, the anime that became my top 3, putting Yu-Gi-Oh in top 4. If I could, I'd put Shounen Onmyouji in my top 2 with Hikaru No Go.
On a short synopsis, Shounen Onmyouji is about the heir and successor of the great Abe no Seimei, Masahiro's grandfather, as an omnyouji, one who deals with the supernatural. The setting is in the Heian era where demons, spirits, and curses threaten the capital. Masahiro is having trouble living up to this expectation especially being called as "Seimei's grandson." Just as when he was about to quit his dream of becoming an Onmyouji, he sees a white mononoke who believes that for sure he will be the onmyouji to surpass his grandfather.
Shounen Onmyouji is a series I continued watching out of personal preference. A boy with special powers. In Masahiro's case, he apparently has a latent spiritual power that can never be found again. I thought it is a pretty old anime because of the art style, and because I've never heard of it, but to my surprise it is around 2005 it came out. Eventually, the banter between Masahiro and Mokkun, the antics of Abe no Seimei, Masahiro's violent rants and others - I became attached to the series. The thing is, while I skipped scenes where the hopeless damsel-in-distress causes problems for our lead, I took this generic story for granted.
I didn't expect much from the anime. When the god of Kifune reappeared right at the next episode when Masahiro released it from its curse, I was surprised. I thought we just had an "event" so Masahiro could defeat the villain of the day. Instead, the god actually paid a role and it just went on. There are things I had considered to be random that actually relate to the plot and character progress. One perfect example is Akiko-look-alike who went to the palace in her stead. I thought "What a deus ex machina so that the male lead could have his girl" but they actually brought that topic back again and discussed about the political state of the matter. Not only that, but they were actually concerned for that person. The other is in the second arc when a ghost inhibited Masahiro. It didn't help much with the plot, but it helped with his character and how he became a stronger onmyouji.
But enough of spoilers that surprised me. What I really want to say was my realization of how much I took this series for granted. It was the gripping last few episodes - the ending. Shounen Onmyouji has a lot of overpowered cast. Masahiro, though teased to be a trainee, can pull out spells to save the day in the last minute (although he struggles first of course). His grandfather is also imba, more powerful than Masahiro and is more like the King Mickey in Kingdom Hearts. What's even more OP is the Twelve Summon Spirits. We only see nine but with that much powerful Shikigami who are loyal and fierce, what can REALLY go wrong? Well okay, Masahiro gets injuries. But even we know he's going to get healed or something. In fact, this does happen. But the trick is it's not about the balance of forces, but the choices our OP cast makes.
What counts most is seeing Masahiro struggle. Initially, I am convinced he will stay safe but he suffers a lot and I soon saw how he, once relying on the Shikigami and his grandfather, stood up on his own. He made his own decisions. He kept his secrets. In the ending, this becomes evident. The whole OP casts also makes an effort in delivering that. I really like the fact that the last boss is not defeated by a 13-year-old kid, but a genius with 50 years of experience. There's also meaning in this. We don't have a kid butting in an old man's personal business.
There's also the Shikigami who pretty much had to be off the cameras for taking Masahiro's injuries. Permanent injuries don't happen often in a show.
There's also the fact we see Masahiro change from realistic and believable, simple events. He doesn't whine and go angsty. He acts like a boy. Remembering how he fell in love at first sight, I realized just how true this is. I thought it was cliche but really, Masahiro is just being a boy. He doesn't just change from "major" events but by the decisions too. When it became a habit to him to patrol at night, he became more responsible. Even his determination to go to the Onmyouji Dorms is one proof he's not all talk. He doesn't become a BOOM genius too that have to be recognized by everyone. He's not a prat who have to punch bullies either to show how confident he became. Cheap tricks like those aren't the show's style.
I also learn something new from Masahiro. He has violent tantrums in his room but behaves properly outside. He has things boiled inside but his grandfather actually helps him deal with it. I'm glad I don't have to deal with unnecessary drama. Oh and I like the fact they like dangling details in the conversation like Masahiro's brothers. I was like "OMG HE HAS ONE? NO, TWO?!" It makes you think 1) where are they 2) why is Masahiro the successor then?
This is why the script is what I love the most in Shounen Onmyouji. It feels so natural. The delivery is awesome too. If it's funny, it's funny. At the end, I saw just how much feelings came with the characters. It's a true climax. Not by plot itself. It even scares me when they react. First, I didn't expect Masahiro to throw tantrums because he seemed so well-behaved. Then I didn't expect him to be crushed by those who envy him because I thought he was your I'm-strong-inside Shounen lead. Then I see him panic, breathe shakily, stare with unfocused eyes. He's so alive to me. Dynamic. Human. And there are times when I just know he needs to cry but wouldn't, I feel that I am lost for words.
At the last episode, I see him full of resolve and I thought "Yes, he's that Shounen now. Full of determination." When he killed Touda without any cheesy comments or QQ-drama - quick and simple, it pained me but also made me believed that Masahiro's not backing with his words. I was halfway convinced that he'd be trying to call Touda Mokkun repeatedly and crying like shit. He didn't. It was amazing.
But when he did die and able to cross the river? I realized that even with such a strong resolve, a boy like him at such a tender age couldn't possibly do it. He feared death and thought of his beloved living. He couldn't let go so easily. This was so intense because when I was watching, I was fully convinced that Masahiro's going to do it through and through. Indeed, I forgot he is still a boy. It is not weakness or the lack of strength. It is merely being a human being. This brings me to two things about the decision-making of the characters: turning back.
Kazame is one of those who didn't go back when things weren't irreversible. I thought it was just some yada-yada about her falling into darkness. I didn't know they were serious. There was no turning back. She was betrayed and worse, killed. Those she loved also perished. Indeed, there had been no turning back. When she spoke to Rikougo, I cried when she stated how she wished she had taken his hand at the time he told her to return before things are truly too late.
Masahiro experienced the same thing but he chose to come back.
Lastly, I'd like to emphasize the names, which is pretty much what I really wanted to say about the series. Why I felt it was a work of art. I didn't pay attention to this and I bet others may have not noticed but the running gag with Masahiro calling Mokkun "mononoke" or "mokkun" and Mokkun calling Masahiro "Seimei's grandson" has a deep meaning with their relationship and the thing we call names.
Masahiro is deeply affected by how he lives under Seimei's shadow. But we don't see him frequently engaging in this dilemma, nor does this get directly addressed. Bit by bit, there are sides of him revealed about this insecurity. What made me notice this importance was when Kou told Seimei that "[Masahiro] truly is your grandson" and Seimei wonders if that really is true. It brings back to Masahiro's problem and how his actions finally show recognition. I realized then just how big Mokkun's role is by believing in Masahiro to be able to surpass Seimei when others don't see his potential at all.
Next is Mokkun, whose real name is Touda. But Seimei gave him the name "Gurren" too. This was confusing for me at first - like, what's the point? Apparently, when at his real form, Touda wants to be called Gurren because the name is special to him. Mokkun was the name Masahiro gave when he didn't know Touda's real identity. This creates 3 identities: Touda, the feared spirit, Gurren, the kind spirit Seimei and Masahiro knows, and Mokkun, Masahiro's friend. At the ending, this is what made me cry so much. When Touda loses his memory, the name Mokkun no longer refers to him; therefore, Masahiro's friend is gone. When he utters "Mokkun", tears fall from his eyes because Touda will no longer respond to that name. This shocked me as to how much this name thing is so important.
Even more is the revelation with Rikougo and the Shikigami who seems to be Suzaku's love interest. Rikougo shares his real name to his beloved and Suzaku wakes said Shikigami by using the name only he uses to call her, similar with Masahiro being the only one to call Touda Mokkun. Even the god of Kifune has this name thing though if it has such relevance, I don't know. But it's consistent. Names have power and this is what Mokkun meant.
I'd recommend this series to anyone. It's a 26-episode series that managed to execute a successful story through wonderful storytelling. I've never thought a short series could do so well. I cried a bucket at the ending. Its ending simply is the most powerful ending I have ever seen and I consider it the strongest in the whole series.