Seirei no Moribito: Guardian of the Sacred Spirit

Here's another Production I.G. series coming sometime in Spring 2007, hopefully. As I said in the other thread, I'm a big fan of Production I.G. This one looks like it'll be pretty good, and will probably have plenty of action.

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Based on a fantasy novel by Uehashi Naoko & Futatsugi Saki.

Chagumu, the second prince of New Yogo Kingdom, is the person who is chosen once in 100 years to be deposited an egg by a water fairly, and he must become the guardian of fairies.

Thinking of him as a nuisance, the king tries to kill him, while the queen asks a female guard, Valsa, to protect him.
However, the beings live in another world, Nayugu, aim at him to eat an egg laid in Chagumu’s body.

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http://www.moribito.com/
http://anidb.info/perl-bin/animedb.p...anime&aid=4403
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/ency...me.php?id=6634

Whoa...

So let me get this straight; the basic premise is a guy being impregnated? I don't think they're trying hard enough~

It worked well enough in the Alien movies. Well, it didn't work well for the guys, but for the aliens at least...

The site now has a trailer available if you haven't check it out yet. It's the link second from the bottom to the left:
http://www.moribito.com/

I have to say that some of the animation looks beautiful.

The trailer looks promising indeed. I just hope the prince isn't as complete a pushover as he seemed in the trailer. He looked pretty young, that's true, but still it would be annoying.

Seems like this is already prelicensed by Geneon... Hopefully someone like Anime-Kraze will still do it.

This is going to be an awesome series...

Released by Kraze:
http://www.anime-kraze.org/torrent/%...5D.mkv.torrent

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Originally Posted by Munsu

This is going to be an awesome series...

Released by Kraze:
http://www.anime-kraze.org/torrent/%...5D.mkv.torrent

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I agree. I watched it a bit ago, and I'm really really looking forward to it. I was skeptical as I believe most would be about the male incubation/impregnation description but I believe this has the potential to be quite epic. Also Balsa is quite the sexy fox :cool:

Man, Production IG went all out with this series. The scenery and animation is awesome.

By the way, here's a thread where runspicat is doing some posts about important things that have been left out from the novel. She's trying to keep it spoiler free, but you never know... Look at it at your own risk, suffice to say that no discussion will happen on content not found in the anime here.
http://www.anime-kraze.org/smf/index.php?topic=11248.0

Here's a FAQ regarding the series and some translation information you may be interested in:
http://www.anime-kraze.org/smf/index.php?topic=11249.0

And to think that this series looks so beautiful and it's not even aired in HD.

Just checked this one out, as mentioned the animation quality is amazing, I thought it was a movie at first. From what I've read in here it seems they didn't really make much effort to introduce the boy's significance in the first ep, though I guess that shield thing was enough to let us know he's not just some random prince.

Wow, that was good. I also liked the animation and VA's. I'm glad Anime-Kraze decided to pick it up.

Amazing visuals (not really a surprise from Production I.G.), though the AniDB description really turned me off from this series. Maybe it is later on, but it didn't feel accurate as I watched it. The praise in this thread made me check it out, despite that.

Did Balsa remind anyone else of the blind woman with the amazing spear skills in Samurai Champloo? Not just in terms of her skill, but also in her world-weary demeanor.

Not much else to really say at this point.

This, like quite a few other shows this season (Sola, Hayate no Gotoku, Heroic Age), I thought was going to be so-so; just enough to keep me interested. I was surprised at how good it was, let's hope they can keep up that level of quality. The only real problem I had with the episode was when Balsa was carrying her spear on her shoulder with her arm resting on it, I mean despite looking awkward, is that even possible? Must either be one really top-heavy spear or one really light arm. 0_o

Episode 2 by Kraze:
Anime KRaze - Episode 2 - version 2

Finally been waiting forever for a new episode.

Don't expect speedy releases from this group or you'll be severely dissapointed. But since salinde is the name of the translator, you are guaranteed that this is a top priority for the group since he/she only does series that he/she really likes.

A warning to any out there who don't rely on gotwoot to get their releases of this show. There's another gruop out there releasing subs of this called Moonshine, avoid them!!!! They don't seem to know how to time properly and there were several subtitle collisions, the fact that these blatant errors weren't caught implies they aren't doing any QC at all, stay away if you actually want to know what's going on.

Chagum's one lucky kid. I wanna "mount" Balsa too :p

Kraze pulled their episode 2, I don't know the reason for it, but expect a version 2.

That aside, I thought it was a good episode. Not much action, but very informative. So far I like Chagnum's character, at least he's not whining, and I have a feeling that he'll get some fighting skills as the series goes one, hopefully some sort of time jump will take place.

Next episode looks like a very good one, with plenty of action.

There were some noticeable misspellings. It could be related to their current search for QC staff, perhaps they are shorthanded.

Chagnum's character definitely surprised me. They easily could have made him this huge brat, but he's actually a really mature, albeit sheltered, prince. He is obviously unused to so much physical activity, but he denies the pain when Balsa asks him about it. He really seems to perfectly understand the situation he's in, and what he will have to start adapting to. I'm very happy with how his character is turning out to be.

I assume that the person who the kids kept alluding to that Balsa should meet with while in the city, who was very briefly shown in the first episode, is now one of the hunters chasing her and Chagnum.

Anime Kraze - Serei no Moribito - Episode 2

also editted Bud's post. enjoy.

Looks like an interesting series. As others have said the animation is nicely done, and the story seems interesting. Reminds me a little of Otogizoshi, which is a good thing.

Dash over the fields of rice.

Episode 3 - Ani-Kraze

I think Ani-Kraze messed up with episode 2, the sound is low, really low.

Good stuff in episode 3, the action was excellent, though not much else happened, save a flashback of what I assume was Balsa's dad and/or mentor and some other spear wielder duking it out.

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Originally Posted by Shadow Skill

I think Ani-Kraze messed up with episode 2, the sound is low, really low.

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They are using sorround sound, AC3... you need to adjust your filter settings.

Ohhhhh, ok, I'll try that and see how it goes, I watched it already with the volume low. :/ lol

I'll remember that for the future incase I come across another anime like that.

I'll try and figure it out with this episode and learn something.

holy shit Balsa is bad ass there is no way they can keep up that lvl of detail for many more episodes. the sound is awsome btw cant wait to get a hold of the ost for this.

That spear fight had to be one of the best in anime history. Quite intense indeed. As were all the fights in this episode. This seems to go for realism with the combats, though with highly skilled battlers.

When it comes to realism that last battle had element that really bugged me, several times we saw one of the combatants throw up mud into the face of the other, but I didn't noticed it having any effect on the fight. If it wasn't going to do anything then why put it in (other than to look that much cooler)?

Mmm, I love this series more and more.

@Yukimura - Well, you can tell that they both are HIGHLY skilled warriors, it's probably not hard for them to avoid it from obscuring their vision. Also, I don't know if they're purposely flinging mud. It kinda looked to me like the bladed edge of the spear was in a downward position and attacked from the position bringing mud/water along with it.

Holy jeez, this has been an amazing series so far. The artwork, characters, everything has been so well done! And Balsa is definitely kickass, haha. The fight scenes in episode 3 were definitely top-notch and I'm hoping that the quality will stay that way.

My favorite moment: Balsa taking out Jin with the rock.

Episode 4 is out by Kraze... there's no bt for it, IRC only release, at least for now.


Direct download:
http://ak.clevis.org/

Hmm... New people keeps accumulating. Hard to see where this will lead. But it looks interesting, promising and good nonetheless.

This is the only series besides Gurren Lagann, where I'll watch the OP every episode. Good and interesting episode but not much happened. I wondered how they were going to pace it in what seemed like it would be a short series, but they used such a short span of story for a full 17-18 or so minutes. Yeah, there's a buncha new characters. Damn that Tanda, he's a lucky bastard.

Seirei no Moribito - 05 - [AKraze]

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Originally Posted by Yukimura

Seirei no Moribito - 05 - [AKraze]

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Not a lot of action, but nice enough. I like the old shaman, and the part where she stuck her head inside his chest to see what was in there was cool. Looks a LOT like the witch from Spirited Away.

I'm guessing Balsa's plan involves faking her death somehow, but I'm curious about how she'll manage it.

Seirei no Moribito - 06 - [AKraze]

Perhaps some action?!?! We can only hope.

EDIT Sorry, I put the wrong number.

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Originally Posted by Yukimura

Seirei no Moribito - 05 - [AKraze]

Perhaps some action?!?! We can only hope.

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You mislabelled the episode number, torrent's for episode 6.

Man i have no idea how Balsa pulled Budini(sp). But I liked the episode, nice horse racing in mounts.

Budini? Anyways, a good episode, that wolf was massive.

Well, as usual, not much happened, but it was still a great episode. Haha, I just love the mind games the hunters and Balsa are playing; so much fun.
That wolf WAS massive. When I first saw it attack, I was utterly confused since I thought that I saw something that was bigger than what it was supposed to be. Initially, I was thinking, "Uh.... it can't possibly end here...", then the shammie popped up, hahaha.

Seirei no Moribito - Anime Kraze - Episode 07

Decent episode, not much happened. I guess that's what happens when you try to stretch a novel over a span of 26 episodes. Am I the only one that wants to see some embrace? I really want to have Balsa and Chagum fulfill a real motherly-son bond or whatever, maybe a shota bond, heh. Anyways, let's hope the story goes somewhere soon.

I dont want to see an embrace, it would feel rather odd between the two of them, especially if it is an emotional one. Both of them seem to be more comfortable and more used to keeping their feelings locked up. This might of course change after their relationship develops, maybe then I wouldnt mind seeing such an expression of affection.

I hope to god this doesnt go shota, in any way, shape, or form.

Many tales and destinies:

Episode 8 - Anime-Kraze

I love this show, but the pacing is sooooo slow >_<

Pretty slow, but I liked this episode. The scenes over at the smithery were really good in my opinion. Sad stories, of course.

I hope something drastic happens soon, and causes something emotional between them. Because the show is in dying need of some type of affection. It feels rather cold and typically it kinda makes me feel awkward watching enviroments like that. Maybe that's just how the novel was, but I still hold much love for the show.

Decent background ep, although not much on it's own. I take it that Balsa is the child in the old man's story and the deaths she is atoning for are the friends of her protector? Makes more sense as to why she would agree to protect the prince.

Indeed. Such a background story makes her character much more likely than the traditional individual who just suddenly decides to fight the society.

Another good episode. It's great to hear about some of Balsa's past, seeing how it motivated her to become what she is now.
Like animus said, I too want something drastic to happen. Also, as an added bonus, I'd like to see some sort of fight scene again, hahaha. The beginning of ep 3 and the rock attack were just absoutely amazing =)

I've kind of lost interest in this show. I can't really bring myself to catch up. I know it's probably a great series, and up until now it was. The animation is amazing, and the premise is interesting enough, but it just feels like I'd much rather read the book than continue watching the series.

Strangely, it's the same thing that happened with Blood+ (it got bad), and Chevalier D'eon.

Seirei no Moribito - 09 - [A-Kraze]

Yeah I'm not feeling this show as much anymore either. The action parts seem to have ended, and now it's just about them living togeather. I suspect this has to do with the fact that it's a novel adaptation, hence there was probably a lot more emphasis on plot and charachter development than action. I'm sure it'll heat up again eventually, but in the mean time this lethargic pace is not all that becoming.

EDIT: A-Kraze != gg

Despite what I said earlier, I'm beginning to agree with you... This could certainly use some tension and action again. This wasn't really built like any drama or even a character development story to begin with, so it's really slowing down and losing momentum.

I wouldn't still go as far as saying it was a bad episode, but if it continues like this, I'm afraid it'll be self-destructive.

I still havent watched episodes 6, 7, 8 and 9 :/

Another slow and uneventful episode. Like I said in a previous post, something drastic needs to happen and soon. The feel, environment and all the raging momentum it had in the beginning is reduced to a slow strain. Only things that happened in this episode worth noting were Shuga finding out that Chagum is possibly alive, and Chagum throwing rocks at birds.

Episode 10 - Anime-Kraze

Yukimura, your text for episode 9 says it's done by gg.

Fixed above, thanks for pointing that out animus.

Anyway, first episode of this I've enjoyed in a while. I see the stirrings of a leader of men in Chagum, though he still needs to soften his initial messages a bit. He did a good job in that situation, not coming down too hard on the 'house' since he understood they were just trying to make money.

Aye, this was a fine episode. A bit different action than I was looking for, but not any worse, for sure. It was actually the high time to get some real development for Chagum's character. When earlier in the episode Balsa said Chagum is no coward I was thinking that's something largely unproven yet, but what happened around the gaming table certainly made that clear. It's just that so far Chagum has had very few chances to actually show any of his existing qualities. An episode like this was badly needed already.

One of the more interesting episodes to come in a long time, and like Kraco said it was much needed. Not sure if this was in the novel or not, but if it wasn't they did a good job coming up with this episode.

11:
http://www.anime-kraze.org/torrent/%...5D.mkv.torrent

This one should have a bit of action you've all been missing in the last couple of episodes.

This show is pretty cool... I've caught up to episode 10 so far... But once thing that has been bothering me... How did Balsa and Chagum survive that fall off the cliff?!?

It wasn't really them that went ove the cliff I believe. And if it was, then the giant wolf probably saved them when it went over, as it was a friend of the old lady's.

This show to me is like Scrapped Princess. But BETTER!

The netherworld was really cool, I think. Excellently depicted. I actually think I felt what Tanda must have felt when he looked at the massive sights there: the whales, the giant turtle, the thunder cloud, the air current sucking the clouds into the mountain pass. I don't think I have often seen so succesful and impressive active scenery in anime series.

In 100% agreement.

Episode 12 - Anime-Kraze

This was a nice episode, but next one looks to be action packed.

Yeah, it was pretty nice, though the most important aspect probably was just to pave the way to the next one.

During the beginning of the ep I was actually expecting Chagum to know some exclusive royal form of martial arts, and it would be recognized by somebody shady. It looked that way when he challenged the dude so coolly. Honestly, I was a little disappointed when it turned out he probably knows nothing.

Well Chagnum looked really good while dodging the dude in the rucha... so he at least shows adept to learning martial arts.

Episode 13 - Anime-Kraze

Nice, Balsa was amazing once again, though I'm not really sure what happened to the guy after the fact. Maybe her overpowering warriors aura just destroyed his psyche.

Hahaha, yeah I'm not sure what happened to him either, but Balsa kicking ass while being pissed off makes-up for any shortcomings during the episode.

Episode 14 - Anime-Kraze

I think he was traumatized due to his defeat (the second time around, the fool), and in an involuntary attempt at denial, his psyche closed of all memories of Balsa. It kind of gives us the idea how seriously he thought about fighting her, which I believe overcomes obsession.

Seirei no Moribito - 15 by Anime-Kraze

I really like the pacing of this series. Though some people comment about the lack of action in certain stretches, I think it gives the action episodes that much more value. They really dont cut corners in this show, both in story development and action. Action is not always about the quantity anyway.

The thing that worries me is that it's only 26 episodes... I would assume that the last couple of episodes will have plenty of action, but like it so often happens in anime, they waste time on a lot of uneeded crap, and when they get to the end they feel the need to rush things, depriving us of some great action sequences.

Anyways, so can we assume that the Crown Prince is dead? Or did he simply fell asleep? Well, I'm pretty sure he didn't die, but with the title being "Young Death", there's a big possibility, though I'm certain that it is related to Chagnum and his possible death when the egg hatches.

I think he is quite dead, because for one he had the dark shade under his eyes. That effect is never used for simple exhaustion or sleep. Its either he is seriously ill, or that he is dead. With the way the conversation went during that scene, as well as all the symbolism with the bird and all, he is probably gone.

I definitely agree with anime usually rushing things, but I feel this show doesnt really waste a lot of time. I think most of the episodes, though lacking action, have done a great deal moving the story forward, as well as fleshing out both the characters and the world (which is incredibly interesting).

16 bitches:
http://www.anime-kraze.org/torrent/%...5D.mkv.torrent

BTW, dark shade under the eyes are oftenly used to portay tired people, lack of sleep, or people that have been overworked.

So he did die, poor Sagum >_>. Next episode looks to be an insane one, hopefully.

Yeah. Looks like a couple of traps will spring.

Let's hope we will get a good fight as well. Fights in this series are something to behold, after all.

Sagum looked like a crackhead. Good riddance.

The memorizing guy was pretty crazy. I'm sure most of you have wished for an ability like that one time or another (i.e. exams).

Seirei no Moribito - 17 - [Anime-Kraze]

Seirei no Moribito - 18 - [Anime-Kraze]

Wow that girl such good story teller that it actually feels that you a part of it. Too bad for Chagum.

Heh. Too bad indeed for Chagum indeed.

If this was any other series I'd think they would pair Chagum and the girl. There were vibes like that. However, this series being what it is, I doubt he will have such luck. I don't yet think he's going to end up ripped open like the previous unlucky egg host, but this seems to be a somewhat ruthless story in a realistic manner.

Could someone explain to me why Balsa decided not to explain the situation to Shuga and run off with Chagum? Does she think the emperor can't be trusted, or is there some other reason?

I don't think she completely trusts the emperor's underlings because just a moment ago they were trying to kill Chagum. But other than that, she knows time is precious and they have no idea how to stop the egg eater. Back then she might have thought going to that remote village could offer the answers, and so they hurried there. No use to try to explain anything to the imperials as it's even more likely they would know nothing even if they had truly changed their intentions.

Normally in anime the heroes always endlessly chat with their enemies, revealing everything, and vice versa. It's only refreshing when that doesn't happen!

^ Kraco i think ur partially right, but how about looking at it like this, she may have believed Shuga and returning him might have been a good idea, but as the thing was going to come after Chagum soon she needed to go to the remote villiage in order to save Chagum. Maybe Balsa was looking far ahead of trying to save Chagum instead of putting much thought in returning the young prince. Also Balsa's irritation shows that she knew believed in Shuga's words and thus why she was forcing the prince to come with her.

Balsa'a irritation and all-around air of impatience is also probably because her "son" is going to die, and she doesnt know if she can save him from the unseen enemy.

La Lunga 19:
http://www.anime-kraze.org/torrent/%...5D.mkv.torrent

Let's see how far they can run:

Episode 20 - Ani-Kraze

Alright episode, but next one should be great with Jiguro's past. Looks like it'll have plenty of action.

What a tease, I was expecting the old lady to take on the guards. I guess its a good thing they're now all on the same page.

This show is 9 kinds of awesome. It even makes food gathering look cool.

Serei no Moribito - 21 - [Anime-Kraze]

Living in a Cave...like ya do.

I thought I was the only one who was impressed at the preparations they made for the winter. It did look cool. Why? Im not really sure, but maybe the details are fleshed out to the point that it is absolutely believable, like seeing someone do it in real life.

Its all those tiny details I guess. It helps build more rounded characters and rids the sense of disbelief when they start talking about 'water spirits' and 'egg eaters'. Even in episode 21 there are tiny things are fun to catch. Like when Chagum touched his own face after Balsa recounts how she was scolded.

As always, this episode was packed full of explanations. How Balsa became part of a power struggle and her own desire for revenge. Though I would have liked to seen more of kid Balsa and Tanda, its nice to see how they first met.

BTW, I found out recently that this anime is based on a novel. Apparently the "Serei no Moribito" is just one book out of many. Here's to hoping a second season is in the works.

I see you didn't read the first post in the thread where it said that it was based on a novel :P

Nope, not at all. But I don't see anyone posting there are multiple novels either. At least not in the first page