Mononoke [Anime Review]

This review can also be found on my profile at myanimelist.net/profile/Wadezig

I have to start off by saying that I'm a fan of surrealism art animation with unique presentation and storytelling. So when I decided to give Mononoke a try, I already knew what to expect. Mononoke; easily exceeded my expectations and become one of my favourite anime. So here I go.

I'm going start with the story (may contain minor spoilers); Mononoke is basically an episodic anime which consists of several story arcs and takes only about 2 or 3 episodes.The story itself takes place during Edo period in Japan. Our main character is an unnamed medicine seller who wanders thoroughly the land, exorcising every "mononoke" (evil spirits that linger the human world) he encountered. It sounds pretty simple, isn't it? But this is when thing's getting intriguing. In order to exorcise these spirits, the medicine seller has to discover its Form (Katachi), Truth (Makoto) and Regret (Kotowari) before he can unsheathe his sword and exorcise the spirit. Every story arc is interesting and pretty twisted. As it's tagged seinen, there is lots of blood and violence although there won't be many action scenes.

Ohh.. The art style of Mononoke isn't normal drawing for sure. For some people, the art can be either the weakest or the strongest point of this series. 

I'm included to the latter of course. I could argue, there are only few anime

series that as distinctive as Mononoke. The colors style and textures are impressive, it reminds me of "Kuuchuu Buranko" and "Gankutsuou" art style. I'd say the movement of the characters is rather slow, so watching Mononoke is like reading a full colors of children story book. Overall presentation is unique, it has eye candy static background filled with so much visual information and symbolism and the looks of the characters are distinct and unique in their own way. The unusual animation style of this series always strikes me.

The medicine seller in action

The ending is a ballad song which I prefer more than the opening Latin song with Japanese lyric. It somewhat puts me off. Then, it lacks of background sound; there are mostly just noises and sounds except when the action scenes but somehow that makes it more creepy and intense. For the voice acting, I give credit to the voice actors thou. They did a remarkable job. Especially, the medicine seller's voice because his voice fits perfectly with the character. It's so cool and is memorable.

For the characters; this is one man show. The medicine seller is practically the only main character of the series because all the story arcs are not connected and each arc has its own casts. There's only less development in characters, like I'm not even told the medicine seller background, he has elf-like ears, is he a human(?). He appears as simply as a nameless medicine seller. But I somehow like the way he acts so mysterious and cool when everyone's panicking. He is easily the only likeable character in the series.

Mononoke is not everyone's taste, it is a kind of anime that you will either love or hate it. If you're willing to open your mind and think the style appeals to you, I'd suggest you to watch it at least 2 arcs, because the first arc is rather weak. You won't regret it. Mononoke is definitely worth my time. What are you waiting for?

Here is the trailer: