StoryDon’t you just love it when you have completely unreasonable
preconceptions about a show that then completely sweeps you off your
feet? Utawarerumono (try saying that after 3 large glasses of
wine), has the odour of a typical anime series based on an H-game,
featuring animal-like females for virgin otaku to drool over; what I
got instead was an unexpected bitch-slap from the plotline that
completely suprised me a few episodes in. Utawarerumono was ultimately more akin to Berserk than the adorably mindless Magical Meow Meow Taruto.
After a gentle introduction to peasant life in a poor village, the main
protagonists are thrown together under unusual circumstances.
Continuing in a light-hearted vein, sudden punctuation of violence
gives a taste of what is to come. Death is not a taboo subject in what
initially feels like a family friendly spectacle, and this is soon
cemented by one murder that serves as the catalyst for events
throughout the entire twenty-six episodes. Numerous subplots
occasionally seem to be forgotten about, but revisiting each fine
thread of the story means everything is succinctly explained when the
viewer least expects it.
The perfect recommendation for Utawarerumono is Twelve Kingdoms,
as both heavily feature politics and the struggle of innocent people.
Seeing entire villages razed to the ground and both women and children
mercilessly slain by barbaric thugs can make for difficult viewing; but
like a car crash, you feel impelled to watch the unfolding action, and
take perverse pleasure in seeing the evil adversaries receive their
comeuppance. Yes, it does follow the “fight an enemy, fight an even
stronger foe” pattern, but deep down it's highly enjoyable and
compulsive watching.
Though I was concerned that the writers were going to use the ultimate
“Bobby Ewing*” cop-out ending when the penultimate episodes see a
complete change of setting, it was to my relief that the storyline
bounces back. To explain what I mean would be to spoil the show, so
instead I will say that the writers skilfully craft an emotionally
moving and fitting climax to an excellent genre spanning show. Although
the narrative does meander away from the feel of the rest of the
series, I felt it was a satisfying conclusion to a fantastical epic
that would have been otherwise difficult to wrap up.AnimationThe majority of the show is beautifully drawn. The diverse races of
human-hybrids identifiable by their different ears and tails, and their
architecturally stunning cities contrasting against lush verdant
scenery. Catgirls, canine-men and winged beauties roam the fantastical
lands mostly wearing simplistic peasant or military uniforms. As the
exception to this rule, the artists take perverse joy in squeezing
Karura’s 38GG breasts into a meagre allowance of fabric.
Much of Utawarerumono is pervaded by computer graphics,
especially during military intensive battles where one soldier is
replicated many times. Unfortunately, these scenes were easy to pick
out for their outstanding ugliness. I understand that war and its
numerous participants is artistically and technically demanding, but
the use of a few more production hours would have upgraded a weak part
of the show from mediocre to remarkable. Luckily, the one-on-one
hand-drawn fight scenes deserve commendation for their outstanding
fluidity.SoundMuch of the soundtrack for Utawarerumono is pleasant but
forgettable. The opening and ending tracks betray the violent
underbelly of the show; upbeat and jaunty, they give the feel of a
fantasy adventure. Luckily, using the background music extremely
sparingly, the viewer is instead treated to the melodic clang of
clashing of steel or the harmonious serenade of the forests’ feathered
inhabitants. Complemented perfectly by an orchestral chant, one
breathtaking moment of the show is results in the viewer paying closer
attention to the impending action.CharactersAgain, I feel the need to draw a parallel with Twelve Kingdoms –
an unlikely hero is thrust into the throne to govern people with
compassion, much to the discontent of surrounding nations. Placed into
a difficult situation, both Hakuoro and Yohko struggle to learn the
necessary political intricacies to keep the peace with quarrelsome
neighbours. Supported by a strong team, their voyages of discovery
attract allies from their magnetic charisma that only grows as the
story progresses. Playing both a competent emperor and protective
father-figure, Hakuoro is a brave and mysterious character that you
can’t help but like.
Surrounded by competent fighters and emotionally supportive figures,
both the main female protagonist and secondary cast compliment their
masked commander down to a T. From a childishly naive Eruruu who spends
most of her screen-time acting like a schoolgirl in love, to the
overaggressive womaniser Oboro, each will find a way to woo the viewer.
Although the female characters are somewhat stereotypical of an eroge,
there is only one member who has a cup-size larger than her
personality. And even then, she isn’t the usual vapid bimbo with a
pork-sword on her mind. A sharp metal sword, maybe...OverallA strong start with an even stronger centre, Utawarerumono is a
show that, despite its forgivable flaws, will charm a lot of
fantasy-action fans. While unsuitable for children, there is gore and
violence in abundance for viewers wanting a step away from the usual
humdrum anime that takes no risks. The ending is strangely satisfying,
especially considering the confusing departure from the expected
storyline. Twists and turns aplenty make this an excellent show that,
for anime fanatics who have not yet had the pleasure, should definitely
add to their want to watch list.
*The good-guy oil tycoon in the uber-soap opera, Dallas, was run over
and killed by a car in 1985, and then walked out of the shower and back
from the dead a year later. The show's writers papered over the year
that had passed by having his wife realise that the entire preceding
season and its attendant plot complications had just been a bad dream.