Saenome are tasked with sealing spirits that possess objects and pose a threat to society. Known as tsukumogami, these spirits are generally non-violent, and saenome normally seal them after a simple verbal exchange.
Traumatized by a previous deadly encounter with a malevolent spirit, Hyouma Kunato refuses to use peaceful methods and gets into physical confrontations with all tsukumogami that cross paths with him. Deeming this behavior unacceptable for a future clan leader, Hyouma's grandfather, Zouhei, proposes that he starts living with Botan Nagatsuki, a young woman whose family is composed of six tsukumogami—lest he be excommunicated.
Determined to track down the spirit that took everything from him, Hyouma reluctantly accepts Zouhei's proposal. As unknown groups of evil spirits begin to jeopardize the balance between worlds, the young man must gain the trust of Botan and overcome his hatred for her mysterious family.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
KANLen09
You know that expression: "My dog ate my homework"? It's more like "Your dog attacked it", and became something different all at once. Let's set the record straight for this show. If anyone of you is thinking that this is affiliated to NisiOisin's Monogatari series, it's clearly not that, OK? This is mangaka Onigunsou's Mono-NO-gatari, or more commonly referred to as Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari. The manga that started almost a decade earlier in 2014 to the present day with (as if this review) 15 volumes out, with Seven Seas's English translation of the manga coming out at the same time as the anime had just startedairing on TV, it's definitely the telling of a "hidden work", something that didn't grow as big as it was in Japan. And I will be right to assume that its popularity, even in its home country, fits the moniker of the "under the radar" type of work that only some people will warrant an anime adaptation of it. Which is where we are now today with studio Bandai Namco Pictures's adaptation, courtesy of the kids series Aikatsu!'s franchise director Ryuichi Kimura.
If I have to take a gander of what Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari is similar to shows out there, it would be in the vein of a mish-mash fusion of authors Yuki Midorikawa's Natsume Yuujinchou a.k.a Natsume's Book of Friends and Kafka Asagiri's Bungou Stray Dogs to create this homey, spirit-filled, supernatural-based action mythology series. The way that Mononogatari utilizes its story plot by having the Tsukumogami spirits (or "marebito") cross over into the human world and possessing objects and gain a physical form, that is typical of similarity to a rather underground work: novelist Megumi Hatakenaka's Tsukumogami Kashimasu a.k.a We Rent Tsukumogami (which got an anime adaptation way back in 2018). But where the show breaks the line to make it unique, is that there is a system of regulation, in which exorcists (or Saenome) from clans will help to clear out the wandering spirits that pose a threat to society, negotiate a deal and seal them back to the spirit world in a non-violent state, avoiding destruction.
Such is the case for the MC: Hyoma Kunato, the next heir of the Kunato Saenome house, having a rather horrific experience with Tsukumogami as one such spirit laid waste to his siblings. And since then, he's had a bad rep of extreme hatred with the general Tsukumogami that approaches his way, being nonchalant about their existence and treating them like he would on just about every other Tsukumogami, be it violent or not. This raises concern for his grandfather Zohei, which in the process of grooming him to be the next Kunato Saenome house heir, notices his own grandson's unravelling and unacceptable behaviour, so much so that he fires him from their own house, and places him under the supervision of yet another Tsukumogami family: the Nagatsuki family of a very well-protected Tsukumogami family, along with their master, a young college student named Botan, to try and change his mindset on accepting and reconciliating with fellow Tsukumogami.
For a start, I'd agree with you that Hyoma Kunato...is kinda unlikable at best. The hard-headed, pessimistic MC who always wears a stern, unfazed reaction on his face, it's as though he wears a facade both inside and out, that's the same wherever he goes. But then again, it's due to his childhood trauma, so that's justified. It's only when he meets the head of the Nagatsuki family Botan, is where he would start to calm his senses down and begins to trust the Tsukumogami again, as depicted by her 6 most reliable benevolent spirits: Nagi, Yu, Kagami, Suzuri, with caretakers Haori and Kushige. The thing is, Botan is possessed by a marebito that is the target of most if not all Saenome factions, making her a highly valuable figure in the community. As such, she is protected by a neutrality law that prevents others from attacking her. And it's this notion that serves to teach Hyoma about the difference between good and bad Tsukumogami, to learn about what it means to be a heir of the future Tsukumogami that will be inducted into his Kunato clan.
For a show that places emphasis on story and character at first glance, Mono-NO-gatari is a story about redemption and reconciliation, not just for the subtle hints at trying to make characterization work in the first place. If anything, Hyoma is the basis of how authors back in the day, would inject a "sad, childhood-inflicted" story to show that there is some semblance of motivation to keep the MC going about on his/her train of thought. Plus, the small amount of comedy gags in here, it felt like a haphazard effort at trying to be like Bungou Stray Dogs, and while the execution here is uncharacteristically funny at times to break the mold on the serious atmosphere, I find that to be a rather nice touch, actually. But when taken as a whole, considering that the manga started almost a decade early in 2014, this would've been in the mediocre-to-decent range by 2023 standards. Had the anime been adapted years prior, then it would at least still be relevant in its own age and time, but who can I say to assume that just for the sake of attention, would shows like this only get attention after a span of generally more than 5 years or so, or even worse for a show like this: an almost clear 9 years to be exact. Don't get me wrong, the show is actually watchable but really forgettable at the same time, and like its manga counterpart, will remain a cult-like status for the few that actually got a chance to watch this "flying under the radar" work.
The production is rather average and nothing noteworthy to talk about. Even though Bandai Namco Pictures have been trying to diversify their anime catalogue since 2015, it's mostly on the verge of producing more shows that are targeted for kids, and the niche ones like last Spring's Birdie Wing: Golf Girls' Story and most recently, last season's Koukyuu no Karasu a.k.a Raven of the Inner Palace, that are perfectly watchable by the general audience. Though for the case here with Mono-NO-gatari, it's...just there and does its only service is adapt the manga close to fruition. The frantic-paced action is also decent, though that's just par for the course and also is nothing more than getting the actual job done.
The OST is rather nice though. ARCANA PROJECT is back after a year and a half's absence with P.A. Works's Shiroi Suna no Aquatope a.k.a The Aquatope on White Sand, and their 4th Anisong here for this show...I'm even surprised to say that it is actually fairly good, and it fits the themes of the anime quite solidly. Miho Karasawa (also known as TRUE)'s ED is also a nice song that has a calm and soothing feel to it, and is also quite appropriate for an ending song. All in all, it's the highlight of the anime as a whole for me.
In retrospect, Malevolent Spirits: Mono-NO-gatari isn't a bad show per se, but it's just that there is no hook to the show being interesting and unique in one way or another. I suppose that for the few of you watching this show, it just so happens that the anime has piqued your interest in wanting to know more, so that's why you're in for this kinda quiet ride. Even then, I can only recommend this if you have some free time and want to experience something that's out of the ordinary, and for that, Mono-NO-gatari has got you covered. Just be sure to tamper your expectations first and foremost, for it has no wow factor, but a decent time-waster of a show.
See you in Season 2 when this show comes back in Summer, I guess, if you're still sticking around.
AnimeEnjoyer420
Overall Impression: Mononogatari is a battle shounen/romance that follows Hyouma, a young warrior monk (for lack of a better term) with a burning hatred for tsukumogami (spirits of inanimate objects) after watching his older brother and sister get killed by one in front of him. He is taken in by Botan, a girl that lives with several tsukumogami as a family, to let go of his hatred and learn that they aren't just creatures to be destroyed. The premise sounds more interesting than it actually ends up being though, this is a pretty run-of-the-mill battle shounen with an identity crisis and a total inability toanimate thrilling action scenes. It can be safely skipped.
+ Positives: Hyouma is an actually interesting main protagonist, and a convincing portrayal of someone whose grief has warped into hatred. He and Botan's tsukumogami have a fun rapport. The character designs are pretty solid. Very good OP and ED. The plot has some promise if they can figure out what to do with it in the already-announced second season. Botan and Hyouma's relationship is pleasant and mostly free of aggravating romcom cliches, but hopefully there's a bit more heat to it in the future.
- Negatives: Visually atrocious. The backgrounds have a horrible filter over them to make them look like faded photographs and it makes almost every scene look glaringly ugly. Poor compositing and things like characters' feet not lining up with the ground compounds the problem. Action scenes are boarded in the blandest and safest way possible and even then the animation is incapable of rising to the task. One particular action scene where Hyouma has a house thrown at him (you read that correctly) almost made me cry because of how cool it should have been on paper, and how pathetic it looked on the screen instead. The series also seems unsure of what to do with itself. Long stretches are simply boring or forgettable because it fails to identify a clear conflict or villain. While Hyouma is supposedly working his way towards destroying the paper umbrella, the tsukumogami that killed his siblings, you only ever see it in flashbacks, and a large percentage of this season just feels aimless as he screws around with random small time villains that have only a tangential connection at best to the paper umbrella. If it were a monster of the week type of series, that might be okay, but it's clearly plot-driven and it makes you constantly wonder what the point or the significance of anything that you're watching is. Hyouma's transition from seething rage machine to guileless dork is a bit too sudden. He's great as a guileless dork so the change itself is fine, it just happens too fast and leaves a lot of nuance and potentially interesting character building on the cutting room floor.
Saybarnet
Well this was the seasonal suprise for me, Spirits is a solid B grade not bad not great. pretty much everything is around average across the bored. the better aspects is the story, this kind of story was done fairly often for a bit but with isekais flooding the stage its been a while so its refreshing. okay animations and sound with decent characters make this a solid watch if your nearing the end of your list. So for the ole 3-4 episode if you think the story is lame or characters boring then drop it, there isnt a conclusion pending the outcome of thesecond season. thats it for the short one now heres the more detailed spoiler free review.
First off the animation is looks good compared to shows a few years back but now id say its about as par for the course as you can get but its very consistent so no complaints here
sound is meh not good not bad which is pretty normal
for the characters its a bit hard to say, the "paranormal" characters are for the most part are just an work around to super powered humans or demons becasue they seem to act just like humans despite them trying to convice the viewer otherwise. th few human characters that we get a decent time with are all good. they start 1 dimensional but as more time is spent with them you do see more dynamic interactions which is the main reason i kept up with the show.
now the story youll either like it or find it completley boring. the major issue with the story is that there are 2 man story lines going on and neither one is progressed in any meanigful way other than the hyper vague refrence. most of the first season is just an introduction oif the world and story so that leaves only the last episode to take us a few baby steps towards the actual story
Yes is did say season 2 is pending not sure when but hey at least almost every show is now getting a second season with quick turn overs so the waiting game is more of small pause than a 6 year hiatus.
So if you do decide to watch it i hope you enjoy for everyone who made it this far thanks for the read and have a good one!
mirangod
If you are looking for a fluid narrative, where the characters have charisma, an appropriate design, good sound effects and with a great script from start to finish, always being very conclusive in each act? Well this is the perfect anime for you. Secondary characters that appear only once and leave, are already as well done and written with as much affection as the protagonists who develop the plot and make everything go. Each problem and situation is not placed at random, everything serves to make you feel part of the universe and better understand what is really happening. Several times you will have Mindblowsfollowed by situations, where you, not expecting a certain conclusion, get a blast of surprising information in your face, and your willingness to watch is fed more and more. The reason my evaluation is not perfect is the visual production of the work, which does not match the level of the original material. I hope that its sequels improve in this regard, as it is something very important in the eyes of consumers that weighs heavily when it comes to caressing the work.
Overall, a solid 8.75/10 from start to finish.
Hittobox
Like a really chilled out version of Jujutsu Kaisen on a lower budget, focused more on a single character's purpose and socially awkward humor. The premise is pretty simple. The main character Hyouma, at a young age witnesses his two older siblings die in battle with an evil spirit. He spends his youth training and sealing spirits (sending spirits back to the afterlife) in order to get revenge on the entity that killed his family. With such a hard nosed focus on this life goal, his grandfather sends him away to experience the good side of his narrow-minded viewpoint of all of them being evil. The showbalances between being a humorous house full of differing personalities and action. The show's main humor comes from the main character growing up isolated and sheltered away from social norms, is clueless to this and brutally honest and overly transparent. He's so steadfast in his goal of revenge, is often oblivious to common courtesies and feelings of those around him. It makes for great entertainment throughout the show, and watching his growth and the way he learns to adapt is a nice journey to follow.
It won't necessarily blow you away visually or narratively, but it holds its own ground as a subtly funny and action driven show. I thoroughly enjoyed every episode, and found often at times that side characters were some of the gems of the show as the main two can be bland and a bit too one-note at times. The way Hyouma is clueless about romance is also a key note throughout the show that is enjoyable without falling into raunchy territory that most anime tend to do. There isn't a ton of depth, but sometimes it's nice to have a show where everything is straightforward and not an overly convoluted web of story.
Overall I would recommend if a toned down and chill action-spirit hunter comedy interests you.
nozomiEX
Your average battle shounen, with a tacked on forced romance component The only interesting thing about it is the tsukumogami designs. They're basically just gijinkas for traditional japanese tools, but the way they incorporate the properties of the tool into their physical appearance, their personalities, and their combat abilities is honestly pretty creative and refreshing, definitely the highlight of the show. However, the show is extremely stale otherwise. The protagonist is a gary stu and his love interest/macguffin is the perfect mary sue to match. There's not a moment where you feel anything is in danger, the stakes are wholly nominal,the fights are a mere formality, everything narratively is bog standard. The show would work better as a Natsumi Yuujinchou clone, without the forced save the girl save the world crap that comprises the vast majority of the runtime. Despite the archetypal characters, in contexts removed from specifically the romance subplot, the muted slice of life comedy is actually amusing but it's not enough to justify this as is.
Kakashitachi
Please note that this show will get at least 1 more season this year, so if that's not for you then wait until the anime is finished. Summed up in short, this is one of those feel good shows you can't fault much about. It's good at giving enough from the characters that matter to make you feel for them, know them, with a pretty good in-between of stuck in the past yet moving on/growing. A man on a mission ends up in a situation plot that might be for those that like the concept of stuff like JJK/BNHA etc but don't want as much angst,trauma, gore, etc.
There's humor, emotion, secondhand embarrassment, nice sceneries and quite interesting dynamics as well as character designs. It's not your usual "put this hotty we've seen dozens of times before in a new attire so we will sell", some of the char designs are reminiscent of known chars but others are almost a bit jarring until they grow on you.
All that mixed with some fights, banter, a complex world and an adult cast.
There's somewhat of a love story in it as well, but in this season it feels like a gag more than anything - and without knowing the og source i can't say if it's meant to go anywhere or not. It's another part that adds fun and interesting points though and doesn't seem to be involved for nothing.
The only issue I found was that in comparison to most shows these days the fight sequences were really not that great or eye-catching but we've been spoiled quite a bit by other shows as to where the standards have just kinda taken a massive rise.
It's a 10/10 for now because I actually had to force myself to stop watching and go to bed, finishing it in no time while being genuinely entertained and distracted from what life throws at you all throughout. I was looking forward to picking it back up where I left of, as much as each next episode and the season that's still to come.
In short, if you're maybe having a bit of a rough time this one could be a good pick to lift your mood while still being interesting, deep and more than a comedy.
mushi_Jyou
This show definitely fall under my cup of tea for supernatural/occult genre. Which is why I think this show's rating here is a little on the low side. I hope my review can bring about the right audiences for this show to support it. TL;DR: Decent animation and sound. Story is paced slower than the usual shounen, but not boring. Premise is easy to understand and accept. World building is done well enough to not leave questions as the story progresses. Would have been better if is a full 24 episode season instead of a half season. adding 1 more point for my rating as thisis my kind of story (Rate 9/10, overall review 8/10), and it got me excited for the next season. Recommended if the fast paced, adrenaline pumping, noisy shounen is not the only kind of shounen you can accept. But fight scenes are less than desirable, so will have to tolerate that.
Just going to split the review into a few basic categories.
Story
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Background: There are spirits(supernaturals) in the land of living, and like humans, there are good and bad ones. But unlike the average normie humans in this world, the average spirits have (you guess it), super natural powers. So like any civilized world, there needs to be order and sanctions involved. Of course land of living belongs to the living humans, so they have more authority in the rules etc.
The premise of the show is that the MCs are living people who are very connected to the supernaturals due to their family. They both have very high/ unusual importance among the community of people involved with supernaturals, and the supernaturals. So the show starts them off with their connections in the community, and also their stance/pov on this community.
Story includes understanding of the characters, and their circumstances through both action(fight) scenes, and daily (very) normal interactions. Slight use of comedy to diffuse non- critical tension, which gives the character an added depth, and a more realistic(?)/humane/ personal touch (Just makes the characters more dimensional like how real people are)
Pros:
- World building is great, no nonsense, they even used narration to help speed up the understanding of the world
- Story starts of with a few characters and their importance, then progress naturally to include more characters. In most story-telling, the introduction of each character means more information about the world and the general direction of the story. But I think the author handles the new character introductions well to not overwhelm the story with a lot of information, even if the characters may be of complicated background, they managed to only bring in information that is concerning to the situation at hand. So there's no long winded back story for each character if the current situation have no need for them, the information that each character brings will be revealed throughout the show slowly.
- Premise is clean and simple, easy to understand and accept (probably fall on the side of cliche, but I like this formula)
- (Subjective) Pacing is smooth (or slow). I like the way each critical character or information slowly gets revealed. Anime is only 12 episodes long, so honestly is not the best pacing to make an impression on people(might be better with a full 24 ep season). Pacing falls closer to a slice of life story-telling than of a shounen style story. is not exactly slow-burned, but is not exciting enough for they typical shounen expectation. I would actually say the pacing is similar to Attack of the Titan first season, ofcourse this story is less dynamic as AOT has a more complex world and more characters involved from the get go. But is similar as in there's so many things you learnt by the end of the anime but then nothing essentially happens. Such story pacing and story telling really gets me to crave more. Also knowing the next 12 episodes is planned for this year kind of calmed my nerves(unlike AOT S1 where I was pretty annoyed and bewildered by it ending where it did). Everything that happened in these 12 episodes is a build up to the main event. So there is no win/lose yet as you see in typical shounen (like Onepiece have a clear villain to defeat that impacts the development of both story and character)
Cons:
- Is only 12 episodes!
- Fight scenes are not very exciting. There's little tension in the fights though the characters' expressions and monologues all indicate how serious the fights should have been. Pretty sure animation plays a part in the lack of tension, but also the focus on the fights are pretty shallow. Other than the monologues/dialogues saying out what the exact key technique or tools being used, there's very little going on to show strategies or even critical thinking of the fight itself. (if there is more emphasis on the fight scenes, there will be more excitement to the show, like how in My hero Academia, Deku was able to strategize his first 'fight" scene to save Bakugo from a random slug villain on the streets, and then each action was well animated and focused for us to see his strategy playing out)
Story points: 8/10 (if fights were more thought out it would be 10/10, I do like my action scenes exciting where it mattered)
Characters
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Background: There are 3 main group of characters in the show. We have the enforcers to keep law and order between the world of the living and the spirits, aka Saenome. We have the Tsukumogami who are the focused supernaturals in this show, they are beings who don't belong in this living world, but yet able to exists, thus there's law and order necessary to keep the peace. Then there is average humans who by right should have no involvement with the Tsukumogamis and the Saenomes in normal circumstances.
So we have a Male MC being a Saenome, Female MC being a normal human who have deep involvement with Tsukumogamis (not out of her own will), and we have many important side characters who are Tsukumogamis.
Pros:
- Characters in all these 12 episodes are all very distinct. (I do love a wide variety of personalities even for non-essential characters)
- Most characters that plays a role in developing the story are multi dimensional (they are not just cardboard standees there acting like a NPC)
- Male MC character is endearing (Slightly), and also not overly dumb/naive like typical shounen MC, AND most importantly not noisy like typical shounen MC. MC is also more grounded and realistic as compared to (yeap, you guess it) the typical shounen MC. Smart, serious, straightforward, pure (not ignorant) boy with a sad and traumatizing past. (first impression of male MC is that he is a Sasuke from Naruto)
- Male MC's past defined his actions, but not his personality. This really gave the author a lot of room to grow the character, and create a multi dimensional MC
- Female MC is cute but not annoying (this is a plus point because somehow many authors think annoying cute girls are the only cute girls in the world). Female MC is draped in a layer of mystery because she is the key to the climax of the story anyway. But not overly mysterious to the point that we don't see her as just a piece in the puzzle, but also a player. there's a good balance in trying to bring out the personality traits and the backstory of the Female MC without exposing too much of the core pieces of the story.
- Side Characters are fun, and each plays their role really well. In 12 episodes, we are able to understand most of their back stories, and also get a grasp of their core personalities, as well as a hint of how they will be developing the story together with the MCs.
- Redundant characters are appropriately involved in small drama without strong focus or long-winded "redemption" story
- Characters are generally what they are, if you are bad, you are bad. No weird redemption/sob story.
Cons:
- Is ONLY 12 episodes!
- Honestly though, because of the slower than usual pacing, I do find myself wanting abit more backstory on some obscure characters, and also more interactions from the important side characters. Since is not fights after fights, but there are proper day to day interactions, it would be good to see more of the side characters to build more feelings towards them
- MCs growth are well written as compared to side characters. If the side characters weren't written so endearing, I wouldn't have noticed the lack of focus on their growth.
- Lack of technical growth, even in main fighting character. Male MC does not grow in terms of his fighting skills or fight related critical thinking. Only grow mentally and emotionally and spiritually (those intangible stuff). At the end of the anime, it does show the Male MC trying to train himself to be stronger for fights, but details of training are glossed over. Somehow, doesn't seem like there will be a sort of "training" arc to level up the Male MC.
Characters points: 8/10 (would be a 10/10 if there's more technical growth, I like training arcs is my shounen anime, hahah)
Visuals
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I like the art style, I like the watercoloured, blurred background. Basically , decent art quality to me. Aesthetics is also my cup of tea. easy on the eyes. Characters are physically distinct.
Pros for art:
- Everything. From character designs to colour scheme to background works, I like all.
Cons for art:
- Nothing
Animation is decent quality, up to par with 2020s quality. No glaring ugly CGIs that I absolutely hate, like the choreograph sequence of Bakuten!!. Animation quality is consistent in all 12 episodes, so no wonky looking characters appearing out of nowhere, like Haikyuu!! season 4 onwards. Though there's also no amazing animation happening like how in onepiece Wano arc, audience gets treated to very good animation for crucial fight scenes.
Pros for animation:
- Consistent, easy on the eyes
- foreground characters are well animated. Detailed facial animation
- Nothing ugly lol
Cons for animation:
- Lack of effort of background activities and characters.
- Fight scenes are too boring. There's not enough oomph! No tension, no dynamic panning, no speed . I might as well have read the fight as a paragraph of texts. Even the animation in a running (sports) anime, kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteriru, got my heart thumping. Think there's only 1 fight scene at the end of the show that got me slightly excited.
Visuals points: 8/10 (and same as above, if the fight scenes were better animated this would have been 10/10. I really like my fight scenes hahah)
Sound
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Sound points: 8/10
Because nothing awful stood out. By default, sound is usually 8/10 for me if there's nothing unusually awful, like a super noisy main character (like in Black clover) hahaha. But VAs are decent here for the characters. sound effects are not overwhelming. OP, ED are nice (their OP, ED visuals are also very pretty and enjoyable to watch). Not above an 8 because there are even more exceptional OPs and EDs out there, and higher points are ofcourse reserved for them. No noticeable flaws. but maybe they can up their fight scenes if they employ better bg music and create tension for it.
Overall is 8/10
