Shonen Onmyoji

author: Mitsuru Yuki
review type: anime
status: completed
genre: Shounen, Supernatural


Synopsis

Chronicles the life of Abe no Masahiro, the young grandson of Abe no Semei; a revered and powerful spirit medium. Unlike his grandfather, Masahiro isn't even close to his grandfather or others in the trade that they were known for. He wasn't even an inch close. His childhood dreams of matching up to his grandfather were crushed with the fact that he can't see spirits.

And here is where the anime takes off. As he was sitting under a tree, a mononoke; a spirit stumbles upon him. He is shocked to find out that he can the spirit. The two form a partnership that is rocky at first. Knowing later that it is all well planned out by the grandfather. The mononoke's name is Mokkun, whose real identity is Guren; a demon who controls the fires of hell. This was due to Masahiro's rash attempt to hunt down a spirit.

From here on, the two formed a strong partnership with Masahiro's new found determination to exceed his grandfather's status as a great onmyoji while discovering the hidden plots and life lessons required to be of high caliber.



Rempit's Vrooming Comment

Premeiring on Animax, a concept that has historical significance and a glimpse of excitement all vanished after watching the 26 episode anime. The first episode was absolutely perfect for a right starter, but then it started waning down in excitement. Basically the plot was predictable.

Shounen Onmyoji's catch was its concept. Spirit medium, who'd thunk? And its based on historical proprieties even the time line of the anime follows the real period of where onmyojis did really exist: the Heian period in Japan. It follows the same shounen route of finding one's own image. Masahiro practically lives under the shadow of his grandfather and will live under it at the end of the anime. Which is considered OK, comparing it to other animes where the hero would be the all time champ or chump; however you would see it.

BUT! the relationship of Guren and Masahiro is new. Guren acts like a mentor and a friend; not a competitor this time around. Guren is a mix of Hatake Kakashi, Jiraiya and House (WHAT! yea the doctor from the English TV show House). So this is that silver lining. Finally no Sasuke type characters working side by side the hero.

It is an anime that you can't totally brush aside, neither it is something you can herald to with your friends or other otakus. There are some traces of shounen-ai in it. So if your feeling mediocre and would just want to pop something familiar in; then Shonen Onmyoji would feed your appetite better.

Rempit Rates


Originality: 3/5
Art: 4/5
Plot: 2/5
Character Development: 3/5