[KiraRin]

Waa, not a clue how I completely missed Mari's review, but I wrote one of my own for this. And it seems we almost completely agree on all scores :P

Story 7/10
From the recent sword slashing action of Chrome Shelled Regios, to the high-sea adventures of One Piece, I thought it was time for a change of anime pace. Having skipped over Mokke for a long time, I finally bit the bullet and settled down to some slice-of-life drama; a genre I tend to dislike, I must hasten to add. It didn’t take long to realise the delicate development and supernatural focus of the show would make for some excellent viewing, giving a great excuse to pass time whilst learning more about Japanese folk law.

Set around the lives of two innocent sisters, Mokke explores the influences mischievous spirits have on the lives of Mizuki, a girl easily possessed, and Shizuru, whose natural sixth sense can see those from “the other side”. Essentially episodic, many viewers may be put off with a lack of underlying storyline and the slow pacing of the show. Each 24 minute slot features a different spirit that somehow affects the lives of the girls, explaining in depth the myths and beliefs behind the trouble-making entities – many of which you have probably seen featured in other anime series. Teru Teru Bozu rings a bell?

Although the supernatural element takes the spotlight, there is also a good amount of the series dedicated to Mizuki and the struggle to come to terms with both her unfortunate gift and the world at large. Watching her typical childhood spent flying kites and exploring suddenly spoilt due to possession by a cheeky apparition gives the viewer a sense of empathy. School life can be difficult enough without the added awkwardness of being unable to cross a bridge due to a spiritual hotspot, or the responsibility of protecting a Kesran Paseran. The wide variation of myths and the young girls’ reaction to them is varied enough that the overall premise does not become boring by the 24th episode. The depth in which each occurrence is explained is fascinating, but is explained in the language of a child, but with the wisdom of a grandparent, making this show accessible to a wide age range.

The only reason I feel I couldn’t score the story higher is due to the wasted potential that came neatly packaged in Shizuru. Mokke is essentially centred on Mizuki, but her elder-sister’s ability to both see and communicate with the mystical beings is almost entirely shunned. The small handful of episodes that do explore her powers are vastly enjoyable, and I would have liked to see more of her grandfather teaching her in “the old ways”.

Animation 6/10
Standard cartoonish characters and scenery are occasionally brought to life with subtle CG that sparkles in the surroundings. Unfortunately, these are not frequent enough to make the animation feel particularly special. The characters feel pretty standard in some beautifully drawn settings, with large eyes blinking on heads that may be a little too large for the bodies. Despite these minor flaws, the movement is fluid, even for a primarily stationary drama series.

Sound 9.5/10
The audio is quite simply stunning; poignant pauses punctuate delicately simplistic instrumental pieces ranging from shamisen to piano. From the touching opening vocal track that serenades a montage of beautiful scenery, to a closing tune that is a little more upbeat, every note of the soundtrack is perfectly chosen. The music is definitely one of the strongest points of the show, drawing the viewer further into the mystical Mokke world.

The seiyuu are also well fitted to their roles, breathing life into the visually 2-dimensional characters. Mizuki is playfully cute, whilst Shizuru has a more refined and responsible tone befitting of an older sister. The voices bestowed upon the supernatural featured throughout the series definitely adds to the overall metaphysical atmosphere – the mischievous and harmless spirits sound just that, whereas the darkly warped seiyuu of a malignant house God was genuinely creepy.

Characters 7/10
Remember those days in your adolescence when you spent long summer days running through wide open fields, looking for a new adventure? That is the feeling that emanates from Mokke, as Mizuki freely lives her life as a child. With sweet naivety, she struggles to overcome those that would possess her for their own gain whilst pretending to befriend her. Struggling to explain her behaviour to her school friends, Mizuki is carefully created to invoke both a sense of reminiscence and sympathy for her unusual situation. As previously mentioned, Shizuru is a fascinating character who is not given enough screen-time to shine. The precious moments we are treated to her in the story are fascinating; learning more about how she came to terms with her gift, and how she tries to help her younger sister through her difficulties is just not showcased as thoroughly as it could have been.

Overall 7.5/10
Although Mokke will only appeal to a small niche of the otaku community, those who can appreciate the slower paced can definitely enjoy what is on offer. The mix of adorable characters and supernatural beings offers an education in Japanese folk law and the superstitions these have spawned. Be prepared to sit back and enjoy the audio and visual without being tied down to an overly complicated story, as this show is definitely one to be savoured during a quiet moment in life.


On a more humourous note, the Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo review is coming along nicely, and I think Shuffle may inspire me enough to write a review in one sitting when I finish it >.>

H.