Is The Utawarerumono Anime Worth It? - Anime Review -

[@HunterSteel29]

I've been a fan of this series since I watched the first anime back in 2009, 3 years after it originally aired. Its one of my favourite franchises where they tackle a story like this, and honestly I don't think it'll have an equal any time soon. Utawarerumono is probably still my favourite installment in the franchise, with Itsuwari no Kamen and Futari no Hakuoro missing some of the charm that the original had. Its possible that it feels a little lackluster because they tried to rehash Hakuoro's story abit with Haku, but Itsuwari no Kamen and Futari no Hakuoro fixed that by going a different path and making Haku into his own character instead of the Second Coming of Hakuoro.

[@Lytane]

I haven’t seen the latest anime but you are right with how they used a lot of ideas again for Haku. It feels like a soft reboot for the two mask games/anime. That being said this anime is pretty fantastic, it does have some issues but I think this is one of the best game to anime adaptions. Have you ever played the games?

[@HunterSteel29]

@@Lytane Nope, I've never played the games. I will do so one day.

[@orboakin8074]

Watching this review before I watch the actual anime and also to decide if I buy the visual novel, which is on sale now on Steam. Great video and I think I will get into this.

[@Lytane]

Thanks for watching! If you haven’t already I would suggest playing the VN before the show as the show cuts a lot out and will spoil parts of the ending without it making 100% sense. Just be warned the plot for the game does take a little while to get going unlike the show. When you’ve checked them out let me know what you thought of them!

[@yuriyu123]

Utawarerumono fan here. I watched the first anime a few months after it came out and loved it; and cried when Hakuoro finally returns to Eruru in the Mask of Truth game, and the anime - I had been been waiting for that for years. I finished Monomebi some days ago and hope there will be a sequel.

[@Lytane]

Glad to meet a fellow fan!! I only got into the series the year I made these videos so I was a little late to the party lol. That being said I haven't played Monochrome Mobius yet, I have so many other things in my back catalogue, and I don't have lots of money so I'm waiting for it to drop in price. I am itching to play it though as I just want more of this world in my life!!!

[@kagesentai]

Ah yes the first Utawarerumono, the first time I watched it I immediately fall in love with it. The song, the story, the worldbuilding, everything is perfect. Definitely one of my favorite anime of all time

[@Lytane]

It is such an interesting world. I love all of the Japenese influence but with new ideas thrown in to keep it fresh. The characters are great and that intro is sooooo gooooood!!! Did you ever play the Visual Novel it was based on?

[@Javifaa]

Correction: White Fox didn't touch the franchise until the adaptation of the 2nd game. The studio didn't even exist at that point. This anime was made by Oriental Light and Magic (OLM for short).

[@Lytane]

Ahhh we are both right and wrong here! I was confused as I did research before making the video and that’s a big mistake so I did a little digging. White Fox USED to be a subsidiary of OLM called OLM Iwasa who made the Utawarerumono anime. Then after finishing it, left OLM to start their own company called White Fox. See both of us are right (kinda…. A little at least?? Hahaha) It’s so wild but insanely interesting. Though I wish I could fix the video to say OLM. I think I read that they became white fox so just used that name when writing the script not realising that it happened after the anime.

[@Javifaa]

@@Lytane fun fact, an hour or so after the comment I went to check OLM and found out that. Should have seen that coming, not going to lie.

[@Lytane]

Still, thank you for pointing it out as I now have new (useless let’s be honest hahaha) facts and it means that next time I should be more thorough in my research! Other than that, what did you think of the show? And have you played the games?

[@Javifaa]

@@Lytane It's in my TBW since forever. Same with the games. I'm just someone who does extensive research on any franchise I'm interested, no matter if I have experienced part of it or not. Was going to watch the anime this summer, but got sidetracked with other stuff.

[@MalaysianGov]

I just finished this season. I liked it overall! The pacing was a bit slow at times, and other times felt like it was brushing over some plot points as the scope of conflicts very quickly increased, but I liked the characters and action throughout. The third act though - that was the real low point of this season for me. It was sooooo rushed and felt completely out of left field with its twists. Maybe the game handled it better, but Kuuya's character in particular was just nonsensical in the show. It's disappointing that the show did not make an effort to flesh out this portion of the story more thoughtfully given the 4 years between the game release and the anime release. I still liked it enough the give S2 a try. Just gotta find a place to watch S2 now

[@ChaolaoFueChi]

Damn man. This ain't fair at all.... the comments section and views is crap. Kinda sad.

[@Lytane]

I know, it's like that for 99% of my videos but I don't mind, I do get some great comments regardless! What did you think of the anime and by extension, the games?

[@imafirenmehlazer1]

😮 happy you didn't spoil it. I want to see if it had an anime cause I'm around where karulau xd wraps hakuowlo up xd in the mat and follow my game with the anime lol to fill in any gaps xd good content

[@heavycavalry9919]

Season 1 was not White Fox but OLM studio, btw.

[@ilikememes1402]

Where did you watch a full HD version of Utawarerumono? I'm currently playing the LN and I have a blast, I think the anime is good for VN readers like me due to the presentation it has over than the VN's playtime. I'm currently suggesting for my friends to get into the series if possible but doesn't have enough time.

[@Lytane]

I found a guy on a website I frequent who had EVERYTHING under the sun for Utawarerumono and it included higher quality versions of the episodes. Maybe it was a blu ray version or something I don't know, sorry. This anime is a great adaptation of the VN and I only wish it had more levity and slice of life moments to make it more fun. The game however makes the character way more fleshed out and better. I hope you convince your friends and there are more new fans to this world!!!

[@ilikememes1402]

@@Lytane Np, VN*, I'm starting the 2nd game now, I think the story as a whole is very good.

[@Lytane]

I hope you enjoy the second game! It is very different from the first, slower in many ways, but has a strong second half and most people love it. When you've finished it let me know what you think of it!

[@MFDOOOOM]

@@Lytane which website , Nyaa ?

[@Stray0]

your pronunciation of Utawarerumono is perfect

[@Lytane]

Thank you, that means so much! I practiced and practiced because I knew I had to say it many times. It didn't help that it's only said like one time in the original game and I don't remember the anime ever saying it either. Darn my Aussie mouth trying to say Japanese words!

[@mysticvitriol]

Musouka is amazing

[@UnicronPlanetMode]

I remember with affection Utawarerumono anime 2006

[@Lytane]

I know a lot of people have affection for this anime, I wish I did but I hadn't heard about the series until I picked up the games only a few years ago. I still think this is one of the better VN to Anime adaptations.

[@ImVeryWholesome]

one is the loneliest number

[@Lytane]

Two can be as bad as one, it’s the loneliest number since the number one

[@als1668]

I only watched the anime loved it, but man was I so confused by the end with so many plot holes. I ended up frustrated tbh and didn't bother watching season 2 sadly.

[@Lytane]

That is one of the two only real downsides to watching this anime over playing the game. The ending is a little rushed so it doesn't get fully explained and the other problem is most of the side characters aren't fleshed out enough so you don't care as much. BUT just so you know, Season 2 is VASTLY different to season 1. It has a different main cast, set 20 years after this in a new country. There are ties between the two seasons but it's more standalone than a true season 2 would be. BUT BUT it's regarded as not that great, especially since it changes a ton from the game, for the worse, so probably don't watch it lol or it's up to you.

[@Knurrbauch1]

The german Dub is brillant in comparison. I can't even watch other dubs. I rewatch it every few years since it aired. I eish there where more feudal Japan like Storys like this. It has similar vibe to Princess mononoke In that regard wich is my Favorit ghibli Film. The sad thing is I never got warm to the newer Iteration. I only like a few charars from that, The Rest is very annoying or bland in my opinion. In this one however I liked all the characters. But as you said the ending was quite wierd, I didn't like it at first but now I think I am ok with it.

[@Lytane]

That is fantastic to hear!! I only hear about English dubs so knowing that a German on is out there and that’s good is amazing. If you have only watched the anime then this is far better, the other ones characters are pretty dull. Have you played the visual novel that this is based on? If so, that’s where ALL of the characters shine, from this one and the other games. I’m not sure if it’s in German though, but you should give them a try!

[@Knurrbauch1]

@@Lytane I finaly play the New version. I tried to play the old Version a few years ago but the (illegal) file got somehow corrupted and I couldn't play after a few short sessions. So far it looks great but I must say the anime made a fantastic job with the pacing and rearangubg plotpoints so it makes sense. I can't say the game is better. So far I Prüfer the anime but the game add much lore and Charakter development. There are also special and OVAs that are very hilarous. I like the cast of this one but the newer I do only remember a few Charakters. They seem not as good and I could make an Analysis why but it would take so much work. Anyway it is one of my Favorit japanese original Fantasy storys

[@literatureofcomicsandanime4035]

Season 2 was the slice of life

[@Lytane]

Of the anime, yeah it was. This first season cut most of that out from the story which helps the pace but diminishes the characters a little. Season 2 has some better characterisation but worse plot. It's funny as the games are much better as they don't lack those things but they are a little long.