Takai
12-01-2008, 04:45 AM
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Hachiyoushou~
Reviewer: Takai
Original Title: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Hachiyoushou~
Alternative Titles: HaruToki; Haruka 8.
Format: TV series, 26 episodes (+8 alternative endings), complete.
Year(s): 2004-2005.
Genres/Themes: historical fantasy, romance, drama, conspiracy; reverse harem; shoujo.
Animation Studio: Yumeta Company.
Director: Tsunaki Aki.
Original Author(s): Mizuno Tooko.
Number of Episodes Seen: 26/26 + 8 endings.
Introduction (optional):
The very first time I encountered the world of HaruToki was when I saw the live performance of one of Akuram's character songs (Nisshoku no Kagiana), performed by his seiyuu Okiayu Ryôtarô. I became curious and researched Akuram, but sadly could not find any pictures of him without the mask. After many days of searching, I finally found a scan that showed his face, and was awed to say the least. That eventually led me to become even more interested in the anime, and even though I only heard rather bad things about it, I will never regret that I watched it and I'll make sure to watch it again.
Plot and Setting/Story: 7/10
"No matter how beautiful or kind, you must never let a demon into your heart."
Akane and her two friends are on their way to school. Suddenly, Akane hears a voice calling her and follows it. Before she knows it, she is pulled into the world of ancient Japan, and her friends follow in order to rescue her. Akane ends up in a dangerous situation where some people are afraid of her, while others immediately take out their weapons upon meeting her. After running away, she encounters Akuram, the leader of the Oni* clan and the one who called her into that world. Akuram tells Akane that she is Ryuujin no Miko* and that he needs her powers in order to destroy humans. Incidentally, the humans also require her powers, in order to defeat the Oni clan. Upon knowing about Akuram's evil intentions, Akane has no choice but to take the side of her friends, the side of humans. With time, Akane encounters Hachiyou, the eight guardians who will protect and help her in the war against Oni. However, deep inside, Akane does not want to destroy the Oni clan, especially Akuram.
This is definitely not the most original plotline. A normal high school girl gets pulled into a different world, and has to fight the evil while being surrounded by a male harem... sounds very familiar to many other plots. The reason is that HaruToki is based on a dating game, and this fact cannot be disregarded when judging the anime. Personally, I don't think I can name more than a couple romantic simulators with a strong plot. In fact, a romantic simulator has no need for a deep plot. Because its true strength lies in a different category -- the characters.
*Oni: creatures from Japanese folklore, variously translated as demons, devils, ogres or trolls. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. (source: Wikipedia) In the world of HaruToki, the members of Oni clan are portrayed as beautiful beings usually with blond hair and blue eyes.
*Ryuujin no Miko: lit. Priestess of the Dragon God.
Characters/Character Development: 10/10
Romantic simulators are all about characters; if it doesn't get full marks in this category, it immediately fails in this genre. However, HaruToki does not fail, in fact it passes with flying colors. It is a collection of many unique individuals, each with their own inner troubles, dreams, reasons, and weaknesses. Each of the Hachiyou get an episode or two to themselves, to let the viewer look a little deeper into their past and their hearts, to understand them better. Not only the eight guardians. The Oni leader Akuram with his eternal hatred toward humans, as well as his loyal subordinates; the seemingly strong yet vulnerable princess Fuji; the proud little Tengu* of the North Mountains... There is not a single dull personality in this anime; if there is anything I enjoyed the most while watching it, then it definitely is the variety of characters.
*Tengu: a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. (source: Wikipedia)
Art/Animation: 9/10
The original characters designs are amazing, all of them. You might have expected the creators to focus mostly on the eight guardiands, HaruToki being a dating game for girls and all, but this is not the case. Each design is unique and beautiful, for both main and minor characters. The clothes designs are especially lovely.
The transition into anime was good too, but somehow did not deliver that same feeling of being completely in awe before something truly beautiful. It's understandable that the anime version had to be modified and maybe simplified to an extent, but I still believe that there is room for improvement. However, that does not change the fact that the anime adaptation was nontheless great, and some of the scenes were truly stunning.
Sample Screenshots:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki05.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki06.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki02.jpg
Music/Sound: 10/10
My personal opinion is that HaruToki has one of the best soundtracks ever. There is probably not a single scene in this series that is not accompanied by music. Not just any music, but beautiful music that greatly increases the emotional level of the overall situation. Even while listening to the soundtrack separately, it's impossible not to recall the events that went with it.
Aside from the instrumental pieces, there are also many character songs -- songs performed from the characters' point of view by their respective seiyuu. Usually, these are released outside of the anime as separate singles or albums. In the case of HaruToki, however, those songs were a moderate part of the story. They appeared during the most crucial moments of the anime to intensify the atmosphere, and most of them talked about the characters' inner thoughts and feelings that would have been left unspoken otherwise.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
This is the kind of anime that you must really judge as something individual. If you plan to compare and contrast HaruToki with other reverse harem series, then I suggest you walk away from it right now -- you simply won't enjoy it.
Overall Anime Rating: 10/10
Reviewer: Takai
Original Title: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Hachiyoushou~
Alternative Titles: HaruToki; Haruka 8.
Format: TV series, 26 episodes (+8 alternative endings), complete.
Year(s): 2004-2005.
Genres/Themes: historical fantasy, romance, drama, conspiracy; reverse harem; shoujo.
Animation Studio: Yumeta Company.
Director: Tsunaki Aki.
Original Author(s): Mizuno Tooko.
Number of Episodes Seen: 26/26 + 8 endings.
Introduction (optional):
The very first time I encountered the world of HaruToki was when I saw the live performance of one of Akuram's character songs (Nisshoku no Kagiana), performed by his seiyuu Okiayu Ryôtarô. I became curious and researched Akuram, but sadly could not find any pictures of him without the mask. After many days of searching, I finally found a scan that showed his face, and was awed to say the least. That eventually led me to become even more interested in the anime, and even though I only heard rather bad things about it, I will never regret that I watched it and I'll make sure to watch it again.
Plot and Setting/Story: 7/10
"No matter how beautiful or kind, you must never let a demon into your heart."
Akane and her two friends are on their way to school. Suddenly, Akane hears a voice calling her and follows it. Before she knows it, she is pulled into the world of ancient Japan, and her friends follow in order to rescue her. Akane ends up in a dangerous situation where some people are afraid of her, while others immediately take out their weapons upon meeting her. After running away, she encounters Akuram, the leader of the Oni* clan and the one who called her into that world. Akuram tells Akane that she is Ryuujin no Miko* and that he needs her powers in order to destroy humans. Incidentally, the humans also require her powers, in order to defeat the Oni clan. Upon knowing about Akuram's evil intentions, Akane has no choice but to take the side of her friends, the side of humans. With time, Akane encounters Hachiyou, the eight guardians who will protect and help her in the war against Oni. However, deep inside, Akane does not want to destroy the Oni clan, especially Akuram.
This is definitely not the most original plotline. A normal high school girl gets pulled into a different world, and has to fight the evil while being surrounded by a male harem... sounds very familiar to many other plots. The reason is that HaruToki is based on a dating game, and this fact cannot be disregarded when judging the anime. Personally, I don't think I can name more than a couple romantic simulators with a strong plot. In fact, a romantic simulator has no need for a deep plot. Because its true strength lies in a different category -- the characters.
*Oni: creatures from Japanese folklore, variously translated as demons, devils, ogres or trolls. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. (source: Wikipedia) In the world of HaruToki, the members of Oni clan are portrayed as beautiful beings usually with blond hair and blue eyes.
*Ryuujin no Miko: lit. Priestess of the Dragon God.
Characters/Character Development: 10/10
Romantic simulators are all about characters; if it doesn't get full marks in this category, it immediately fails in this genre. However, HaruToki does not fail, in fact it passes with flying colors. It is a collection of many unique individuals, each with their own inner troubles, dreams, reasons, and weaknesses. Each of the Hachiyou get an episode or two to themselves, to let the viewer look a little deeper into their past and their hearts, to understand them better. Not only the eight guardians. The Oni leader Akuram with his eternal hatred toward humans, as well as his loyal subordinates; the seemingly strong yet vulnerable princess Fuji; the proud little Tengu* of the North Mountains... There is not a single dull personality in this anime; if there is anything I enjoyed the most while watching it, then it definitely is the variety of characters.
*Tengu: a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. (source: Wikipedia)
Art/Animation: 9/10
The original characters designs are amazing, all of them. You might have expected the creators to focus mostly on the eight guardiands, HaruToki being a dating game for girls and all, but this is not the case. Each design is unique and beautiful, for both main and minor characters. The clothes designs are especially lovely.
The transition into anime was good too, but somehow did not deliver that same feeling of being completely in awe before something truly beautiful. It's understandable that the anime version had to be modified and maybe simplified to an extent, but I still believe that there is room for improvement. However, that does not change the fact that the anime adaptation was nontheless great, and some of the scenes were truly stunning.
Sample Screenshots:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki05.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki06.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/harutoki02.jpg
Music/Sound: 10/10
My personal opinion is that HaruToki has one of the best soundtracks ever. There is probably not a single scene in this series that is not accompanied by music. Not just any music, but beautiful music that greatly increases the emotional level of the overall situation. Even while listening to the soundtrack separately, it's impossible not to recall the events that went with it.
Aside from the instrumental pieces, there are also many character songs -- songs performed from the characters' point of view by their respective seiyuu. Usually, these are released outside of the anime as separate singles or albums. In the case of HaruToki, however, those songs were a moderate part of the story. They appeared during the most crucial moments of the anime to intensify the atmosphere, and most of them talked about the characters' inner thoughts and feelings that would have been left unspoken otherwise.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
This is the kind of anime that you must really judge as something individual. If you plan to compare and contrast HaruToki with other reverse harem series, then I suggest you walk away from it right now -- you simply won't enjoy it.
Overall Anime Rating: 10/10