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Ferrose's Anime Reviews: Mononoke

Blogs > Ferrose
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Ferrose
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States11378 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-12 04:01:00
March 17 2011 01:51 GMT
#1
Archive:
Eve no Jikan

This series is mainly aimed at sharing great shows that I've seen that are considered to be "hidden gems," meaning that these great shows don't get nearly as much praise as they should.

This time: Mononoke

[image loading]

Mononoke (not to be confused with the Miyazaki Hayao film Princess Mononoke) is a horror anime from the Summer 2007 season created by Toei Animation. It is a spinoff of the final story arc of “Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror,” also made by Toei Animation. I have not seen Ayakashi, unfortunately. Mononoke is divided into five story arcs, each lasting two or three episodes. They tell the story of a Medicine Seller in feudal Japan as he goes around to various locales in search of vengeful spirits called “Mononoke.” Mononoke is one of my favorite animes for its unique art and storytelling, badass main character, and its deep themes.

The first thing that viewers will notice when watching the series is the unique art style. I cannot think of an analogy to describe it. I don’t want to be cliché, but honestly, I guess the best way to describe it would be to a painting. I’ve never seen such a unique art style in anime. However, this distinctive art style is what turns many people off from the show initially.

[image loading]
A sample of the art style. It even looks like there are little bumps in a canvas, or creases in a piece of paper. Truly magnificent.

As for the story, it is mainly told through symbolism and references to ancient Japanese culture. So unless you understand Japanese culture, some of the symbols used may fly right over your head. Thankfully, the subs that I used for the show included comprehensive PDFs explaining all the symbols used throughout each episode.

For all the details that the art cannot project, the anime makes up for it with the use of sound (or lack thereof). Often times very realistic, horrifying thumping, breathing, etc. noises will be heard from one side of the room. I thought that the voice acting with the screams and dialog were also exceptional. The anime also does a very good job of having scenes with no music or sound whatsoever, which was able to make me a bit uneasy in my chair more than once.

The main reason to watch the show, however, is the Medicine Seller. This guy is one legit baller if I have ever seen one. While everyone else (including me sometimes) in the show is shitting their pants, he just sits calmly contemplating the situation. Sometimes he’ll even make a sarcastic remark about what’s going on, and I just had to lol. Though he remains mysterious throughout the entire series, there are subtle hints of character development as it progresses.

The Medicine Seller carries a giant chest on his back everywhere he goes, full of many things you would expect an apothecary to have. He also has many tools at his disposal for combating the Mononoke. Two of such tools are his “scales” and Mononoke-slaying sword. The Medicine Seller often scatters around these little “scales” as I will call them, which act as a sort of compass. The scale will tip in the general direction of the Mononoke, since it is invisible to the human eye before its form is known. The second tool is the Medicine Seller’s enigmatic sword. It is a special sword with a monkey’s head on the hilt. It can one-shot any Mononoke, but it cannot be drawn until the Medicine Seller knows the Mononoke’s Form, created by the human emotions and evils that spawned it in the first place. The Truth behind its appearance, and the Reason it torments people.

[image loading]
Can the scales tip things in the Medicine Seller's favor?

[image loading]
The Medicine Seller's awesome Mononoke-slaying sword.

Each story arc is completely different from the others, and is its own unique story, filled with profound and thoughtful themes, all rooted in human nature, because it is human deeds that are the basis of the formation of Mononoke.

The show does a great job with the individual characters. Most of them seem to represent some kind of stereotype, such as government officials, landlords, children, priests, etc. Somehow, the series manages to develop each one a bit over the course of the arc, even though they are only two or three episodes. Sometimes I had trouble deciding if I could like the characters though. At first, I would think “Wtf why would these ghost things attack people ;_;” But after you learn about each character’s backstory, and the reasons why the Mononoke was born in the first place, I would think “Wow, these people are all assholes anyway. I hope they die.”

The show has a nice opening and ending theme, the latter of which, while not the best song I have ever heard, has one of the most beautiful animations that I have ever seen:



One problem that could arise in the series is that the Mononoke themselves get barely any development. The series, being a critique of human nature, ultimately ends up being about the arc-only humans that appear, and the Medicine Seller. If you are looking for a spirit of the week show, this is not for you. One personal problem, was that I could not figure out when the series took place. I mentioned that it is feudal Japan, because the first four arcs make it seem that way. But the final arc takes place on a subway. It throws off any guesses for the timeframe.

What I recommend is using the Black Sheep subs. Watch the episode once, then read the PDF that explains the symbolism, then watch it again, so you understand what is going on. The show can be VERY confusing, especially if you are unfamiliar with Japanese culture. It could take multiple viewings of each arc to fully understand the themes behind them.

Overall, Mononoke is one of my favorite animes, for how it takes such a unique approach with its art and storytelling. The Medicine Seller is also one of my favorite characters in anime. And I, being somewhat nihilistic myself, love all the critiques of human nature. I wish that more animation studios would take risks like this, instead of standardized stuff that we see today. Maybe then we’d have more classics. Mononoke definitely makes Tier S.

Your guide to Ferrose's rating system:

God Tier: 11/10. Very few shows can attain this tier. These are the best of the best. Make sure to watch them.

Tier S: 10/10. Shows that are once in a lifetime. Watch before you die.

Tier A: 9/10. Wonderful shows, but they have a fatal flaw that won't let them get Tier S.

Tier B: 8/10. Still good and an auto-recommend.

Tier C: 7/10. Pretty average. Watch it if you're a fan of the genre.

Tier D: 6/10. Shows I didn't really like. A lot of these get dropped. Don't bother with them.

Shit Tier: <6/10. I hate these shows. They are a disgrace to anime. Perfect example: Code Geass R2.


@113candlemagic Office lady by day, lonely woman at night. | Official lolicon of thread 94273
Ushio
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Canada868 Posts
March 17 2011 01:56 GMT
#2
I pretty much 100% agree with your ranking system except for your comment on Code Geass R2. O_O

Btw I added you on MAL :D
http://myanimelist.net/profile/billng
Redunzl
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
862 Posts
March 17 2011 02:04 GMT
#3
My god, I'm not a nerd for Anime but I definitely see all the classics and will take your advice and download this. Looks sick. Love the art style.

FYI. My favorite anime is "Serial Experiments: Lain".
Harem
Profile Joined November 2007
United States11390 Posts
March 17 2011 02:20 GMT
#4
Yeah, the show is one giant ocular orgasm.

A friend recommended it to me a while ago and I enjoyed it but you really should have watched the Ayakashi arc it is based off first. :/
Moderator。◕‿◕。
Ferrose
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States11378 Posts
March 17 2011 02:23 GMT
#5
On March 17 2011 11:20 Harem wrote:
Yeah, the show is one giant ocular orgasm.

A friend recommended it to me a while ago and I enjoyed it but you really should have watched the Ayakashi arc it is based off first. :/


Yeah, I really need to watch Ayakashi soon. I hope it is as good as Mononoke is D:
@113candlemagic Office lady by day, lonely woman at night. | Official lolicon of thread 94273
Raeleigh
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Canada902 Posts
March 17 2011 02:41 GMT
#6
One of the best shows I've seen. (:
Loved your review ~




Although I don't agree with your ranking Haruhi up that high.. ;o
you are perfect porcelain.
lac29
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
United States1485 Posts
March 17 2011 03:06 GMT
#7
I'm gonna check this out. Have you watched Kemonozume? I really like the artist's anime ... even if the storylines aren't great.
Redunzl
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
862 Posts
March 22 2011 14:43 GMT
#8
I have since downloaded this... it fucking owns. thank you.. just my style
triangle
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States3803 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-22 19:05:08
March 22 2011 16:40 GMT
#9
On March 17 2011 11:04 Redunzl wrote:
FYI. My favorite anime is "Serial Experiments: Lain".

You're awesome :D

Edit -- and to the people disliking Haruhi, Haruhi is fantastic. I say it is the best anime I have ever seen that takes place in a high school. Certainly better than the other anime he lists as 11/10.
Also known as waterfall / w4terfall
prototype.
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada4200 Posts
March 22 2011 18:47 GMT
#10
ew, haruhi is 11/10?

It's been several years since I've watched haruhi so I might be wrong, but I think bakemonogatari is much better than haruhi.
( ・´ー・`)
EchOne
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States2906 Posts
March 22 2011 19:48 GMT
#11
I don't agree with your rating system example's ratings, but damn do you pick out good hidden gems to review. I actually discovered this first from a /w/ thread featuring some beautiful Mononoke wallpapers. I adore wild art styles as in Mononoke, Gankutsuou, or some of the MSMM settings so this was a treat.

I just noticed you put MSMM in God Tier. While it's a great watch, especially in its subversion of so many common anime tropes, I think such a rating is hasty and generous considering the entire series hasn't even aired yet.
面白くない世の中, 面白くすればいいさ
Terrakin
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States1440 Posts
March 22 2011 22:28 GMT
#12
your need to diversify your anime if haruhi is 11/10, watch 100 more anime then start doing reviews, or just do reviews without a rating scale.
Fame was like a drug. But what was even more like a drug were the drugs.
Ferrose
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States11378 Posts
March 23 2011 11:34 GMT
#13
On March 23 2011 04:48 EchOne wrote:
I don't agree with your rating system example's ratings, but damn do you pick out good hidden gems to review. I actually discovered this first from a /w/ thread featuring some beautiful Mononoke wallpapers. I adore wild art styles as in Mononoke, Gankutsuou, or some of the MSMM settings so this was a treat.

I just noticed you put MSMM in God Tier. While it's a great watch, especially in its subversion of so many common anime tropes, I think such a rating is hasty and generous considering the entire series hasn't even aired yet.


It is hasty. And I'm the kind of person to exaggerate about these things, especially since I enjoy the show so much D:

Haruhi as God Tier is more of a joke than anything. It's definitely Tier S though, IMO.
@113candlemagic Office lady by day, lonely woman at night. | Official lolicon of thread 94273
mucker
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
United States1120 Posts
March 23 2011 18:26 GMT
#14
Thanks for this blog. I have a hard time finding anime I really like, this looks like my kinda stuff. Getting both Ayakashi and Mononoke right now.
It's supposed to be automatic but actually you have to press this button.
Redunzl
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
862 Posts
March 27 2011 15:14 GMT
#15
Finally finished watching this.. Now DLing the Ayakashi series of Samurai Horror Stories.
This was easily my favorite anime I have ever seen. Granted, I have not watched a lot...
Thank you so much for turning me onto this man. Could you recommend me anymore historic, detective style supernatural shit? I really dug the whole Form, Truth, Reason syllogism.
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