Boasting a detailed narrative—and twice as long as typical anime TV-series compilations—Moribito, adapted from a multi-volume saga by author Nahoko Uehashi, is a handsome and dignified fantasy epic. In New Yogo (somewhat like feudal Japan, but existing adjacent to an alternate world that is sometimes glimpsed in fragments and visions), spear-warrior Balsa is a wandering near-middle-aged woman who takes bodyguard assignments in remembrance of casualties she witnessed in childhood as a refugee. New Yogo's boy prince, Chagum, is marked for death after royal astrologers diagnose him as being possessed by a dangerous water-spirit that will herald an extinction-level drought. Chagum's mother charges Balsa with protecting Chagum—no matter what. Balsa strives to maintain her code of never killing any pursuing enemy, while the palace-bred Chagum struggles to blend in with the common folk and stay incognito. Aired stateside on Adult Swim, the series is almost ceremonial in its stately pace, but it delivers solid action and creature battles (with medieval flame-throwers!) when it counts. Compiling all 26 episodes from 2007 in DVD and Blu-ray dual-language sets, rated TV-14, extras include a panel discussion and a press conference. Highly recommended. (C. Cassady)
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, The Complete Series
(2007) 4 discs. 650 min. DVD: $44.98, Blu-ray: $54.98. Viz Media (avail. from most distributors). Volume 29, Issue 6
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, The Complete Series
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