Definitely a great series but I agree...the beginning drags...definitely worth slogging through in the end
Not a bad review but you should probably provide at least some explanation of the characters and basic plot
Twelve Kingdoms tv Review
Juuni Kokki is a story of a girl named Youko, whose life in modern Japan is suddenly and rudely interrupted as a strange man with flowing long whire hair appears and kneels before her, swearing his allegiance. In Japan she is a normal teenager, albeit one who cares greatly about how others see her and hence appears rather weak-willed.
With the appearance of this strange man, frightening things start happening. Against her will, she and some friends are taken to another world by the man. Here begins the world of "The Twelve Kingdoms" and it is a vast and beautiful one. Intricate and complicated to a certain degree with a fusion of ancient Chinese and Japanese culture, it has twelve kingdoms; each with a King and a helper called a kirin. On coming to this new world, Youko is separated from the man who brought her and stumbles through this new place, learning as she goes along.
Will she ever return home? Why was she brought here?
Credits: Feirai
Story & Characters
Considering this Anime came from a series of epic Japanese novels (not manga, but... well, like Harry Potter), one would expect a full, developed story that supports multiple themes. This anime delivers in spades. There's so much good stuff in this series, and it's worth watching two or three times in order to take everything in. There are lots of recap episodes that summarize the plot, characters, and setting, as well as explaining difficult concepts in greater detail. The inverse cost is that you can't just let your mind wander if you want to take all the content in. I literally had to brandish pen and paper to take notes on my first viewing!
And depending on who you are, this could be a good thing or a bad thing. If you're tired of cliched anime featuring cookie-cutter stories, hackneyed and empty characters, and impractical dialogue, this anime will be a breath of fresh air for you. From a literary standpoint, this_is_the_best_anime_I've_ever_seen. At the same time, this thing won't be appealing to a wide audience. The anime starts off like Inuyasha, but without the humor and charm that said series lost about 100 episodes in, and with characters who are whinny and pathetic. PLEASE slog through until you meet Rakushun; that's when the series gets great!
What a viewer will find is that Juuni Kokki is not the story of one character's journey. This story will develop awesome characters and an absolutely awe-inspiring world. And by the end, you'll get chills.
Ok... why a 9? Overall, the story is spectacular. But, there's the beginning that turns many people off, as well as the fact that the story is INCOMPLETE. Also, I would recommend that one should only watch up to episode 40, as the episodes beyond just fall flat.
By the way, guys. If you want a continuation of the Taiki arc, go here: http://www.otyaku.com/animeObserver/toei/toei_menu.htm
Rating:
Art
Ok, I've read that the artwork and animation are awesome, but I don't really believe the hype all that much. The characters are drawn excellently; they are attractive, but nobody is exaggerated or "bishi-ized" without a purpose (Keiki looks like a combination of Sephiroth and Inuyasha, but only because he is a graceful, holy creature by birth). Everyone is believable; this anime shoots for detail and believability, so it works out. Also, notice how characters physically look more beautiful when they become noble characters, and notice how they look physically ugly when they become wicked. (Shoukei is a great example) It's a nice touch.
The world itself spans the entire spectrum of color, and it actually works to advance the themes and plot of the story, mainly by displaying contrasts. Hourai (The "real" world) is drab, gray, unnatural and dead in a color sense, a contrast to the world of the Twelve Kingdoms. Kou, a dying kingdom, looks red, brown, black and gray. In contrast, En, a prosperous kingdom, is green, blue, purple, white... enjoyable colors.
It's the animation that I cannot handle... I'm sorry. It's broken, choppy, misaligned and misplaced. I know that this wasn't what they were shooting to emphasize, but come on. This looks like it was done by the people who did the Naruto fillers.
Rating:
Sound
The voice acting is on target.
I like the instrumental, classical soundtrack a lot.
The youma sound alien and eerie, and there are no misplaced sounds.
I see no problems here. The sound quality is good, and all sounds and music make the world seem more real.
Rating:
Presentation
After I finished the series (Up to episode 39 and the appendix episode 40), I felt like a changed man. Here was an epic tale, a completely new world, and a lesson on what it takes to be a great ruler. I learned what it meant to deserve luxury, and I learned how to be a ladies' man like Rakushun. (Ladies' Rat?) I got chills at the end of the story, when the main characters end up proving their worth.
Pay attention to Rakushun, Enki, and Shoryu. They're a funny trio.
This is my favorite anime of all time, period. Then again, I've only seen the ones put out by Toonami and Adult Swim, but none of them were as good as this.
If you want an intellectually involving and stimulating series, eat this one up. It will make you think and re-think the
way you see your world.
If you simply want visual stimulation, lots of action, and the flare of more popular anime, you might want to steer
clear. You can't just turn your mind off when you watch this anime. But it's worth tuning into.
Rating:
Final Verdict
9.3333 (very good)
Reviewed by erkicman, Aug 09, 2006
Comments
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cyd84 Aug 09, 2006
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fireflywishes Retired Moderator Aug 13, 2006
Nice review! I'd have to agree with both you and cyd about the beginning being a little slow. But other than that it's definitely worth it to watch all the way through episode 40. (Even the little arc afterwards is kind of interesting...) Rakushun, Enki, and Shoryu are definitely my favorite group of characters! (Rakushun's VA also has the added bonus of being one of the VA's for Ouran Host Club... ;)) The music was superb, so much so that I actually shelled out the cash to buy the OST! (which is a big feat in itself... X-P) I would definitely agree with the scores that you gave in your review! :)
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melymay Aug 13, 2006
I just finished the anime XD I agree with the ending it is incomplete, but I can kinda guess what happened with Rakushun and Youko, but it would've been better if they replaced the flashbacks of Emporer En's life to what happened with the runaway kirin and Youko's friend T_T
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EevaLeena Aug 14, 2006
Good review! I actually agree with you. Believe me.. when I first watching Juuni Kokki, I stop at episode 4. When I told my brother the story kinda... boring, he insist I continued watching... at least until Rakushun appear. And he's right, the story got better after that. And, later.. I got really hooked. Everything in this anime is perfect! Great character (I love how they "grow"), great storyline... And now, Juuni Kokki is my ALL TIME favorite! There's no anime (yet) that can replace it.
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Clarryn Aug 14, 2006
The review's not bad XD in fact if someone starts watching, they will surely want to finish watching the whole series XD I like to watch the Taiki's story hehe.
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karin12196 Aug 14, 2006
good review ... ...
i like the story plot and the characters
i find it interesting
but .. sadly, the story did not have a proper ending
the novel is much more nicer
in any way .. i agree that twelve kingdoms is an anime worth while watching
just can't have enough of it !
makes me want to watch all over again ... ... =D -
Sakuyai Aug 16, 2006
oh god its awesome. :D. But they seem to cut off tai's story, conveniently adding a few things for the character to say to SEEM like the ending but it really isn't. I mean what happens to sugimoto, the kingdom of tai, the kirin, the king, etc. Its like. I'm tired of this story. Lets just make the character say this so it'll seem like the end.
Does anyone realize this?
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SchRita Feb 05, 2010
Thanks for the review!
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angelxxuan Banned Member May 23, 2012
a link oh my ! enjoyable review, nicely put. this anime is sort of seen in the shadows and very few know of it outside of the fun of finding it within said shadows.
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