Mononoke

[signorRossi]

Mononoke


Synopsis, screenshots, recommendations ~ Add Recommendations


Discuss individual episodes and first impressions of this anime here; reviews and final impressions should be posted in the Anime Reviews Forum. Post format and full rules can be found here.
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I can't believe there wasn't a thread already for Mononoke. Anyway, anyone interested in a joint (re)watch?

SignorRossi.

[valondar]

Well I did just finish watching it for the first time, so, admittedly, no.

However:

Mononoke is a seriously awesome series that more people need to give a try. Mushishi by way of classic Japanese art with some wonderful surrealism thrown in as a bonus and several images of breathtaking beauty I ALREADY LOVE IT SO MUCH.

[KiraRin]

I've only seen the first episode so far, but the animation and flow of the story reminded me why I loved the last arc of Ayakashi so much.

The animation is seriously stunning, and I'm suprised its so underrated ^^

H.

[signorRossi]

@KiraRin
The finale of the second arc will blow you away...

[valondar]

Yeah, Umibozu was easily the best arc all round. What bitterly powerful emotions it's got.

[animeAA]

Thanks for starting this thread signorRossi. When it popped up the other day I happened to notice it, and after reading through I decided to give it a watch. I was very impressed. Very cool art (reminiscent of Gankutsuou and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei). It also has a sort of intangible style to it, you know? Anyway I really enjoyed it so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[KiraRin]

I just finished Mononoke. Wow. Big wow.

I think the final Bakaneko arc could well be my favourite (although, I did love the Umibozu arc muchly). The way the fragmented story came together in the end, and in such an immensely creepy creshendo was perfect!

I loved the way the woman was lying on the train tracks unable to move and the train heading relentlessly towards her...

Admittedly, it did get a little too "arthouse" for my tastes in places (especially the Nue story), but loving 4/5 of the arcs meant the show gets a 4/5* from me ^^

H.

[valondar]

Oh come on the arthouse-y-ness was the best part. -_-

Seriously though I almost considered giving this a 4.5/5 and I mainly deterred myself on the logic that, well, as I've said elsewhere, I don't think it's sort of as cohesive as Mushishi or similar titles. Stuff happens, it ends, the Medicine Seller repeats who he is after the end credits and that's sort of it... Mushishi managed to be episodic yet feel completely satisfying in its lack of a denouement. It's a gut sentiment I think but a rather important one.

Also Umibozu > Bakeneko IMHO.

[KiraRin]

Originally Posted by valondar

Oh come on the arthouse-y-ness was the best part. -_-

Seriously though I almost considered giving this a 4.5/5 and I mainly deterred myself on the logic that, well, as I've said elsewhere, I don't think it's sort of as cohesive as Mushishi or similar titles. Stuff happens, it ends, the Medicine Seller repeats who he is after the end credits and that's sort of it... Mushishi managed to be episodic yet feel completely satisfying in its lack of a denouement. It's a gut sentiment I think but a rather important one.

Also Umibozu > Bakeneko IMHO.

I enjoyed the art style very much, but there were some places where it just seemed to tip the balance a little too far and turn the show into something for people who like the pretentious look. It became style over substance, and it sometimes felt like the story was buried by the animators trying too hard.

I agree about the lack of Mushishi flow. You never really feel like you get to "know" the medicine seller, he still felt like an enigma after the final credits finished rolling. He had a "know-all" feel to him, something I never thought about Ginko. Mushishi felt like a more winning combination because of this, having more likable characters and a more natural ebb.

Even after all of the bad things I have to say about it, I really did love Mononoke ^^

H.

[valondar]

Originally Posted by KiraRin

It became style over substance, and it sometimes felt like the story was buried by the animators trying too hard.

That really was one Mononoke's greatest strengths IMHO, it's orgy of disorienting and beautiful symbolism.

He had a "know-all" feel to him, something I never thought about Ginko.

This aspect I actually liked a lot.

I loved it when he said feigned stupidity in adding a poisonous element to the barks that were to be sniffed. It was so brutally dry.

However some kind of episode/arc involving his past or identity in some way - like what was done with Ginko - might have just deepened the series a little more.