Post by Bytor on Mar 27, 2012 12:08:32 GMT -5
-Details-
Genre: Drama
Company: Imagin & Brains Base/Marvie Jack
Format: 13 episodes & 12 episodes
Dates: 9 Jan 2008 – 26 Mar 2008
Dates: 9 Jul 2009 – 24 Sep 2009
This is a review for Season 1 and Season 2 as I feel they are one interconnected story
-Visuals- 9.0/10
The setting for this anime is medieval times. And I say that up front because it is very relevant to the visuals. This anime looks and feels like I imagine the 1200's would look. There is little to no machinery and what there is is is extremely primitive in design and look. The various modes of transportation look appropriate as do the dwellings, utensils and clothes (and I don't typical Japanese cliches of olden times). This attention to detail combined with the crisp renderings provide for a very nice and realistic (within the bounds of anime) looking anime. I honestly felt I was watching something which historically looked realistic, and that is important to this story. The various environments are also extremely well done and befit the nature of a society which is basically agricultural and rural still. They even managed to make the various villages look appropriately impressive in scale and design as the towns got larger and larger and more "metropolitan". Overall a very well done and well looking anime.
-Sound-9.0/10
I love, and I cannot stress enough the two voice actors who play Lawrence and Holo (Horo). They both manage to emote so much with just their voives, which is vitally important in anime as often facial expressions and subtle nuances will/can be lost in the animation. The soundtrack is very well done as well with the instrumentals sounding extremely representative of the time and most certainly sounded as if the tunes may have actually been something played during this time period, a wonderful job framing the story and visuals.
-Characters- 9.5/10
Combine wonderful writing with absolutely superb voice acting with an equally enthralling and entertaining story (be forewarned this is basically a traveling merchant story where two companions share economic adventures? with some interesting twists along the way) and you have plenty of opportunities for the two main characters, Lawrence, a traveling merchant and Holo, the wise wolf god (yes, you read that correctly) to have some wonderful interactions. Take into account that Lawrence is honorable, kind and gentlemanly while Holo is playful, arrogant, brash and demanding and you have a recipe, which if written correctly (which it is) provides characters which are deeply emotional, often troubled and yet grow with each other as well as separately during their adventures. I fell in love with Holo, who wouldn't and I grew to admire Lawrence immensely rather quickly. But they are not the only characters in this world. the supporting cast, which changes often are all also very well portrayed and manage to catch your attention without seeming too shallow or without taking over what is a wonderful tale.
-Story- 8.5/10
Get ready for some economics lessons mixed in with a love story combined with a "buddy road trip" and you have it, lol. It seems weird and yet at no time did I ever think it wasn't working. Lawrence finds Holo, a wolf god, asleep in his wagon and to say mayhem ensues doesn't do the story justice. Over time and traveling they grow to know each other and grow together as he attempts to escort her back to her homeland. The story isn't necessarily as deep as some stuff out there yet it's certainly not fluff either. Instead it becomes a nice mixture of comedy, danger and budding romance, all wonderfully told.
-Overall- 9.2/10
For the vast majority of this show I loved it, the remaining time I liked it a lot. The characters truly make the show and I admit some may get bored sometimes with the economic aspect but i found it to actually add to the realism and story. This show will not appeal to everyone but I imagine, and hope Holo will keep you interested long enough to give it a shot. I found it to be a very enjoyable view.
