Shonen Onmyouji - Volume Two (Geneon Animé DVD)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Episodes: A

 

 

Masahiro is the heir to his famous grandfather Seimei in becoming a great Onmyouji *Spiritual Priest* for the imperial court. But as budding Onmyouji Masahiro must not only learn his entire grandfather's teachings, defeat demons, earn the trust of the shikigami, and save Princess Akiko. With foreign demons on the loose and after Princess Akiko, Masahiro learns and grows little by little with his powers and what it means to be an Onmyouji.

 

This is a great anime with beautiful pictures, characters and music. Set in feudal Japan. The character Masahiro is a character that is friendly and kind to both human and non-humans, ever striving to live up to being his grandfather's heir he uses his powers to protect others and up hold justice. As he learned to control his growing powers, he must earn the trust of the 12 Shikigami (Heavenly Spirits) to aid him, who isn't quiet convinced that Masahiro is the heir to the Onmyouji.
 
Based on Japanese mythology and spiritual beliefs of spirits of nature, good and evil, this anime gives an amazing twist with the blend of tradition and modern styles. The character designs are cool, and the battles are awesome. While a priest is suppose to be peaceful, reserved and purifies, Masahiro is anything but priestly, he fights demons, causes havoc in the courts, argues with his grandfather, and gets to be close with the princess. Not only is there action, but amusing drama between the characters as they watch Masahiro grow up to be the next great Onmyouji.
 
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Episode 6: Catching the Signs that Appear in the Dead of the Night

Princess Keiko falls ill, but Princess Akiko sees Princess Keiko asking her to join her in the dead of the night, but something seems strange, a dark aura surrounds her, who or what is she?
 
Episode 7: The Hatred of the Woman Controlled by the Enemy

Turns out Princess Keiko is a scorned woman after her fiancé choose to marry another princess, falling into despair, demons take advantage of her hatred to grant her wish they use her into getting closer to Princess Akiko.
 
Episode 8: Dispelling the Hatred that Reverberated at Kifune

Turns out the foreign demons have taken over the Kifune shrine and made it into their base, with Princess Akiko captured and Princess Keiko being controlled by the demons Masahiro has his hands full.
 
Episode 9: Shattering the Binding of the Curse of the Darkness

With Princess Akiko in danger, the Shikigami fighting a hoard of demons, can Masahiro save the shrine, break the evil curse and save the Princesses at the same time?
 
Episode 10: A Voice in Response to a Faint Wish

Just when Masahiro and Princess Akiko promise to watch fire flies together next summer, Akiko is summoned to the imperial court. Can Masahiro protect Princess Akiko from the pain in her heart?

 

 

Once again, we get a combination of anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 picture and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo in both English and Japanese with Pro Logic surrounds.  A textless ending and Geneon previews are the extras.

 

 

-   Ricky Chiang