Utawarerumono, Volume 1 - AMN Anime

"Utawarerumono has the makings to be a classic in the fantasy anime genre."

"Utawarerumono has the makings to be a classic in the fantasy anime genre."

Review Hardware Used: Panasonic TH-42PX6U Plasma Panel, Denon 2910 DVD Player with Monster Video HDMI Cable (Player set to 720p), Yamaha RX-V596 DD/DTS 5.1 Surround Sound Receiver, Klipsch Quintet 5.1 Speaker System w/ matching KSW-12 (400 watt) subwoofer, Monster Audio cable all around.


Disc Description

The mask he can’t remove, the past he can’t unravel, and the very survival of the people who have chosen him as their leader. But what Hakuoro does know is this: He was gravely injured and left for dead in a forest. A kind young girl, named Eluluu, found him and nursed him back to health. He was welcomed into a barren land where strange creatures roam, an angry god seeks vengeance, and an oppressive government slaughters the innocent, and a bloody war looms on the horizon. Will the masked hero liberate the people who saved him? Can he unlock the memories that elude him? Or will he remain a stranger, even to himself? The answers are right here before you in this thrilling, killing, pillaging first installment. Or are they?



Disc Features


Omake Theater


Extended Episode Previews


Character Art Gallery


Glossary Of Terms


Disc Review

Content: (May include spoilers)
I must admit that I’ve never heard of Utawarerumono. When we first received this disc in our offices, I was stumped. I had no idea what it was about. After reading the press material and looking over the screen captures. My interest was piqued. I’m sure that I’ve made mention that I am a huge fan of the fantasy and action/adventure genres and Utawarerumono looks like it combines those two aspects rather well. After watching the entire first volume in a complete sitting, I must say that, so far, Utawarerumono has the makings of an excellent fantasy show.

We’re introduced to our main character, who has yet to have a name. He wakes up, doesn’t remember who he is, how he got there, and why he’s wearing an un-removable mask. It seems a young girl with furry animal-like ears and a tail found him in the forest and nursed him back to health. We soon find out that in this show’s world, parts of the human race (we believe they’re human) have some animal-like characteristics to them such as furry, long ears and tails; though it seems like our main protagonist doesn’t have any of these attributes.

The young man is welcomed into the village and wastes no time making himself useful by hatching a plan to rid the town of a animal god on a murderous rampage. During this time we see his interactions with his rescuer Eluluu and the budding relationship between the two of them. While it’s obvious that Eluluu has a crush on him, the story plays out with him being a sort of a father figure to her and her younger sister; so we can’t quite put a finger on what he’s actually supposed to be to her.

Afterwards, he is given the name Hakuoro and due to chance is made the leader of the village. Hakuoru decides to lead his people against the government that is slaughtering innocent lives like cattle. Bloody battles break out as the story progresses and as Hakuoro gains more and more allies, tiny pieces of his existence are brought into the storyline; albeit very, very little.

While the volume ends with a ton of more questions than answers, it serves its purpose in making the viewer want to see more and to see what will happen and what has happened that has led Hakuoro to his current position. While the show is basically a mix of feudal fantasy and action/adventure, there are small traces of romance here and there. All is mixed very well in the fantastic world that Utararerumono has created.


Video:
Utawarerumono is presented in a 1.78:1, 16x9, anamorphic widescreen picture that looks both colorful and beautiful. The show is rather vibrant for the most part and it works very well with the beautiful and very unique character designs. No noticeable black level problems, aliasing, or anything else that would detract from the video.

Audio:
The show is presented in Japanese 2.0 and English 5.1 surround. The Japanese audio track is a straightforward stereo mix that sounds very well. The English 5.1 track stands out as the better sounding due to it’s 5.1 surround mode. The surround really helps with sound staging during the battle and action sequences and it just sounds more vibrant and clear to the ears.

Menus:
Limited animated backgrounds make up the menu system of the show. As with most ADV Films’ releases of the recent past, the menus are simple yet easy to navigate. Utawarerumono’s menu systems are a little more plain than some of ADV’s past offerings but the simplicity of navigation and quick access times make up for any lack of coolness factor.

Extras:
With volume one, we get omake theater, extended episode previews, character art gallery, and a glossary of terms.

Dialogue:
The Japanese language track provides all the intact Japanese language that purists will love.

The English language track was a very pleasant surprise. ADV Films has proved once again why their dubbing talents are some of the best in the world. This volume of Utawarerumono goes in to improve ADV’s excellent track record. John Gremillion’s portrayal as Hakuoro is excellent and Kira Vincent-Davis pulls of an awesome Eluluu. Supporting cast is also excellent with Monica Rial as the sick little girl and Greg Ayres as the totally insane bad guy.


The Bottom Line:
Let me be honest here. Going into Utawarerumono, I didn’t expect much at all. The fantasy genre happens to be my most beloved genre in anime. Ask anybody who knows the classics and they’ll list off a bunch of classic fantasy anime that is revered and loved throughout the years. It is my belief that if Utawarerumono can continue on this high note, it will earn a spot next to the handful of fantasy anime classics. Unfortunately, it is still way too early to tell if this show will sink or swim. Fortunately, right now the show is riding on a high note.

Utawarerumono is a pure fantasy anime show through and through. If fantasy isn’t your thing, then you might want to pass on this show. If you love fantasy like me, then you’ll definitely enjoy the five episodes on this disc. ADV may have a sleeper hit of 2007 on their hands with Utawarerumono; if they market it correctly, that is.

Utawarerumono has the makings to be a classic in the fantasy anime genre. If it continues down the path it is going, it will make it there.


Content So far, a great fantasy story. It still could go either way but it's on the right path. 9.0


Video The anamorphic widescreen video presentation is both colorful and beautiful. This show looks good. 9.0


Audio The Japanese stereo track is good but the English 5.1 track sounds brighter and has more dynamic range. A decent auditory experience. 7.7


Menus A fairy bland menu but its simple, its quick, and it works. You can't fault that. 7.0


Extras A decent round of extras grace this disc. It isn'ta whole lot but what is included is nice. 7.8


Dialog The Japanese language sounds excellent and so does the English dub. ADV continues their excellent track record of providing great quality English dubs. 9.0


Verdict
Utawarerumono could have gone either way but so far it is on the right path to becoming an excellent fantasy anime action/adventure story. Let's just hope that the story continues on this high note, otherwise things could get sour rather quickly. If you like fantasy, then this is a must-see!

9.0
[not an average]

+ Video quality is excellent.
+ The character designs are absolutely beautiful!
+ Cat-like eared girls... I'm such a sucker for 'em!
- The menus are bland.
- The story MIGHT be to going a bit too quick?
- A few more extras couldn't hurt.

Posted on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 (Archive on Thursday, October 25, 2007)