Nabari no Ou
Reviewer: Rowen9 [email]Overall Rating: A
Media Reviewed: Digital fansub
Creator: Yuhki Kamatari
U.S. Licensed: No
Released by: J.C. Staff
Run time: 26 episodes
BL Content: Slashable / Very light
Genre:? Action, Comedy, Drama, Supernatural
Other media: English-licensed manga (publication 2009)
I first started watching Nabari No Ou on a whim one night when I wanted to see something new and episode 1 had just been uploaded that day. That was 14 weeks, and episodes, ago. I love Miharu's wicked sense of humor.
The story is about a 14 year old boy, Rokujo Miharu, who has a hijutsu (a very powerful ninja technique) sealed in and fused with his body. This technique, called the shinrabanshou, has the ability to grant its user anything and everything he wants. Needless to say, everyone wants to get their hands on it, one way or another. Some are determined to force Miharu to use the hijutsu to achieve their own ends, some want to forcibly remove it from his body and claim it as their own, and some want to keep Miharu from using the hijutsu at any and all costs.
Miharu's need to remain unchanged and apathetic seems to drive every decision he makes in the early episodes. However, as Raimei says, "Rokujo Miharu may seem irresponsible and emotionless. But he's not cold-hearted after all." This seems to change little by little after he meets and reaches an agreement with Yoite, the one person who seems to epitomize for Miharu his own feelings of lonliness and isolation.
The characters are well developed and multi-dimensional with each person having their own unique personality, flaws, quirks, and carefully guarded secrets. It's these secrets that seem to keep the characters distanced from each other through the first half of the series even as they put their lives on the line for their friends. In one episode, Miharu reveals his closely guarded secret to Thobari asking that Thobari do the same. However, unable or unwilling to do so, the distance grows between these characters while walls drop between other characters as secrets are revealed. There are exceptions: Raiko and Gau for instance; and, despite their first and second meeting, Miharu and Yoite, who seem to become relatively close rather quickly considering their personalities and how they meet.
The plot is interesting and well, if slowly, developed, with enough twists to keep you guessing. Enemies become allies and allies change sides. Most of the main supporting characters have their own sub-plots and stories that, so far, have enhanced rather than hindered the progression of the story. And as far as action goes, the fast-paced and well-orchestrated fight scenes prove repeatedly that these characters truly are ninja.
The art is beautifully done with most scenes resembling water colors or pastels. The colors, for the most part, are muted and natural giving a feeling of calm and relaxation that seems to reflect exactly what Miharu says he is seeking. The occasional appearance of bright vibrant colors seems to mirror the passionate or volatile emotions of the characters in that scene.
There's just enough of everything - drama, suspense, action, and comedy. All of which are beautifully portrayed by the wonderful and seasoned voice actors who truly bring out the emotion, or lack of emotion in Miharu's and Yoite's case, that the scene calls for. Some of them I know from other favorite anime such as Saiga Mitsuki who plays Yoite also plays Wolfram in Kyo Kara Maou, and Suwabe Junichi who does the voice for Raiko also did the voice for one of my favorite characters, Archer from Fate/ Stay Night.
If I had any complaints about this anime they would be: 1) the occasional episodes that seem to drag on as the stage is set so the next plot twist can unfold and 2) the emotional distance between the characters in the first half of the series. However, that aside I would recommend this anime to anyone. The art and acting are excellent. The plot keeps you guessing. And the characters are endearing. I will be sad to see this anime end.
Studio: J.C. Staff
Director: Sugishima Kunihisa
Character Design: Iwakura Kazunori
Main Characters / Voice Actor
Rokujo Miharu / Kugimiya Rie
Yoite / Saiga Mitsuki
Kumohira Thobari / Namikawa Daisuke
Shimizu Raimei / Fujimura Ayumi
Aizawa Koichi / Hino Satashi
Yukimi Kazuhiko / Tsuda Kenjiro
Shimizu Raiko / Suwabe Junichi
Meguro Gau / Okamoto Nobuhiko