Mouryou no Hako Finale! 10-13
October 7, 2009
I’m not going to post a page of spoilers as per initial intention. Instead, I’m going to compile a list of reactions and responses to Mouryou no Hako.
Nothing much here besides an awesome gallery of the first episode, some episode recap and a commentary upon the production team and seiyuu for the series. Random Curiosity knows its stuff but didn’t cover this series.
Yukan Blog dislikes this series for all the wrong, ahem, superficial reasons, but I can understand why. The first episode mixes all the weird together and it’ll either intrigue you to continue with the series, or repulse you. The best thing for fans of the series, its all about confusion in the begining and clarity towards the end.
Star Crossed Anime rates it as one of the best for the season which I fully agree, but is a big fan of the visuals, of which I do not agree. I don’t think that Mouryou no Hako can be counted as a breakthrough in terms of art and animation, although it is well-done. I agree that the series is heavy on the use of symbolism, which was the real clincher for me.
A good analysis (essentially, introduction) to MnH, Anime Diet makes a good point about the post-war setting of the story. What is more interesting is this second link, where they discuss the use of metaphors, symbolism in the story.
Byakuya has some interesting pictures of the characters designs cell drafts.
Cute Proxy compared MnH favorably to Kurozuka. Having watched some of both series, I’m inclined to agree. With both series going heavy on mysticism, Kurozuka was too convoluted for my liking, and actually lost me because it look all the supernatural stuff as the basis for story development. Whereas Mouryou no Hako doesn’t.
Iwai ni Hana posts on the novel origins of mouryou no hako, themes, setting and information on all other novellas associated with the “kyougokudou” series. Will giving up ‘human’ beliefs really bring you happiness?
Ha Neul Seom writes about the ‘Bliss of Madness’ which is also another underlying theme of the series.
October 7, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Glad to see you’ve enjoyed Mouryou
Before I comment, I want to stress the point that Wabisabi from Iwa ni Hana blog you’ve linked, first wrote about beauty of madness of Mouryou, and I simply quoted her words to convey how I was moved by Mouryou, which I can’t link unfortunately because she decided to delete her old archives in its entirety (mad I say…just mad).
I agree with you too, that although Mouryou has some nice production values and its visuals very well polished, it’s nothing new or innovative. It’s strength lies in writing, and the directing.
October 11, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hi gaguri
Thanks! I think Iwai ni Hana’s post on the beauty of madness is here, if that’s the one you are referring to. I agree that Iwai ni Hana is an exceptional writer, she mentions key stuff that strikes at the heart of the series. But I just found her recently, so all I can see is what’s left after the revamp 
.