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Innocent, naive, and locked in the castle tower since birth, Princess Arete wants nothing more than to escape the royal life and live as the commoners live, and to see things that she has only dreamed about in her books. One day, her wish is granted -- though under less than ideal circumstances -- by the sorcerer Boax, who charms her into becoming his wife. On his flying machine from the days of magic, Arete embarks on a mystical journey full of discovery, enlightenment, and wonder beyond belief...
In the lush fantasy world of Earthsea, dragons and humans no longer live together as one due to the greed of humanity. It is in this world that the young Prince Arren lives – a young man who is dejected, tormented, and afraid of the ultimate goal of life: death. After killing his father and stealing an heirloom sword forged by magic, Arren sets forth with his trusty steed into the unknown countryside, experiencing the joys and darkness of mankind. Along with the powerful mage Sparrowhawk, an unlikely friend and his own personal angst, Arren must rediscover his desire to live while evil forces threaten his precious life's existence.
Gedo Senki and Princess Arete both have a remarkably similar feel to them. Both are intelligent, on the slower side, and absofreakinglutely gorgeous. Princess Arete is considerably slower and less epic than Gedo Senki, but both are phenomenal.
Both of these movies are about royal children embarking on a journey of discovery. While Gedo Senki has more action to it, both Arren and Arete defy their set roles in life. With magic and adventure afoot, both anime are beautiful pieces.
In another world, there exist many countries, each with different cultures, customs, and traditions. From technological marvels to folk legends, each location yields a vast wealth of insight of its people: their hopes and their dreams, their failures and fears. Kino is a traveler whose goal is to visit as many new places as possible, learning about others' ways of life, but also making sure to stay clear of their affairs. Together with the talking motorrad Hermes, Kino sets out to explore the beautiful world and meet its inhabitants, wherever they may be.
While Kino no Tabi is remarkably darker, both of these tales are an intelligent, beautiful look into humanity, and roles that we have been given that we may not wish for. Gorgeous animation and deep characters simply add to the wonder of the series. I highly recommend one if you liked the other.
Kino's Journey and Princess Arete are both slow-paced and sophisticated tales with a similar visual approach playing out like some sort of solemn fairy tale. They also boast the best female characterization to be found in Anime, with two independent and intelligent heroines embarking on journeys and contemplating the mysteries of life and humanity. Words cannot describe how amazingly beautiful these two titles are, and if you enjoyed one I can't recommend the other enough.
In a solitary fortress, two people with unusual powers, Stan and Yonna, hide from the rest of the world. The Imperial Government has sent two agents to retrieve them – the flying creature Piggott, and the young Garuda. While Piggott tries to sweet talk Stan, Garuda uses his stealthy tricks to enter the fortress undetected – but not for long! Will Garuda be able to convince Yonna to leave with him, even against her brother’s wishes?
Though I strongly preferred Princess Arete over Hanare, I think if you liked one, you'd like the other. Both are remarkably similar in setting and tone: each is about a girl who is locked up in an ancient castle, "safe" from the world outside.
Amidst a beautiful sunset, Shu is violently whisked away to a grim future devoid of water, and empty of hope; a place where children are forced to become soldiers, and kill countless others in the name of King Hamdo. Shu's companion is a mysterious girl named La La Ru, who may hold the key to survival. Now, he must concentrate on the only things that matter: escaping Hellywood, and finding a way home.
Somehow, watching Arete Hime reminded me of Ima, Soki ni Iru Boku in many moments. Hard to explain why.
Both describe somewhat postapocalyptic worlds. Both whirl plots around some kind of magic. Both are about main character's spirit, will to live, love to people (to level of pacifism). Even the topic of water as source of power springs up in both in quite alike ways.
Since long ago, the wolf goddess Holo has honored a contract to bless the rural village of Pasloe with fertile harvests; and in return she has been celebrated and worshipped by the villagers. But as mankind advances, the people have begun to take command of nature for themselves and have made their own god to worship. Holo finds that she is paid little more than lip service, if not outright mocked; and considering the contract annulled, she takes human form and enlists the aid of a passing merchant, Kraft Lawrence, to return to her home in the snowy forests to the north. As they journey together, Kraft finds that he has plenty to learn from this capricious god, and she from him as well.
Both Spice and Wolf and Princess Arete are charming, intelligent medieval fantasies, more interested in character relationships, and to varying degrees social status, than warfare. Both also boast a thoroughly pleasing and appropriate soundtrack.
