Utawarerumono

Review date: Sat March 29, 2008 9:03pm
by theanimegddess aka Ryan

SO, it’s time to get back to the thing I love most…ANIME. For this week’s blog I bring you my review of “Utawarerumono“, English translation to “The One Being Sung“. DVDs were released last year and it is a must see for those of us who like any type of anime. Unlike so many other anime series of late, this one definitely leaves you with a sense of resolution. This series has to be one of the most complete I have seen in a long time. The ending is not finite, but there is closure. Utawarerumono has action, mystery inventive characters, a bit of romance and a well thought out story line.

The series begins with a man who regains consciousness from an odd dreamlike state only to find that he is wearing a metal mask that cannot be removed in a strange environment that he doesn’t recognize. He is approached by young woman named Erruru who has long furry, goat-like ears and a tail but otherwise appearing human. She explains that he’s been taken in by her grandmother Tuskuru, who is the local healer. Erruru is the eldest of the two granddaughters and is an apprentice to her grandmother. He has no memory of his past or his name. Though he is clearly of a different tribe, he is quickly accepted by Tuskuru’s family and ultimately becomes a pivotal member of the tribe. He’s is given the name Hakuoro.

Though a bit of a slow starter in the beginning, Utawarerumono is fraught with great hooks. Nothing is arbitrary. Everyone has a part to play and there is no frivolous back story. Soon the action begins and becomes for the most part nonstop with few lulls for set up. The lines of morality are deeply a part of the story as well as what truly bonds people. It has a natural blend of mystery and violence, which let’s face it, is what we all like in a good anime. And for the guys there is always the scantily clad femme fatales that should not be taken lightly. Since ratings matter I would give this anime a B+. I truly enjoyed this anime, however this was more of good story than an epic saga.