The appeal and evaluation of "Utawarerumono": Exploring the depth of the story and characters

"Utawarerumono": A masterpiece anime with a grand worldview and profound drama

"Utawarerumono" is a TV anime series that aired in 2006 and is based on an 18+ game created by AQUAPLUS. This work is known for its grand worldview and profound drama, and has captivated many fans since the game version was released in 2002. With its anime adaptation, the series has retained its charm and become even more beloved by viewers.

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

18+ games

■ Broadcast period

April 3, 2006 - September 25, 2006

Chiba TV April 3, 2006 to September 25, 2006 (Episodes 1 to 26) Every Monday 26:40 to 27:10

AT-X June 28, 2006 to December 20, 2006 (Episodes 1 to 26) Every Wednesday 9:00 to 9:30

■Broadcasting station

UHF, AT-X

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

AQUAPLUS "Utawarerumono"

■ Director

Tomoki Kobayashi

■ Production

・Animation production: OLM TEAM IWASA

・Production: Utawarerumono Production Committee

■Works

©2006 AQUAPLUS/Utawarerumono Production Committee

■ Story

The setting is a world surrounded by nature, mostly trees. There lives a race of demi-humans who look almost identical to humans, but have animal-like ears and tails. The story begins when Eruru, who lives in a small village on the border, rescues a masked young man who has been seriously injured and collapsed. Fortunately, the young man survives, but he has lost his memory. He is named "Hakuoro" by Eruru's grandmother, Tuskur. And this encounter leads them to a strange fate...

■Explanation

In 2002, Utawarerumono was released as a full-scale simulation RPG for Windows, and since then it has been enthusiastically received by users for its grand worldview and profound drama. Now, the long-awaited animation adaptation has been made! With the recent announcement that it will be ported to the PS2, and with users' interest on the rise, the long-awaited broadcast will finally begin in 2006!

■Cast

・Hakuoro/Rikiya Koyama

・Elulu/Ryoko Yuzuki

・Aruru/Sawashiro Miyuki

・Tusukuru/Naoko Kyoda

・Oboro/Daisuke Kirii

・Benawi/Daisuke Namikawa

・Crow/Takashi Koyama

・Carla/Atsuko Tanaka

・Touka/Hanaya Miyake

・Ultri / Sayaka Ohara

Camus/Rie Kugimiya

・Yuzuha/Mai Nakahara

・Dolly/Akino Watanabe

・Guraa/Akino Watanabe

・Mukkuru/Yoshimitsu Shimoyama

・Kuuya/Akira Tomisaka

・Genjimaru/Shozo Iizuka

・Niwe/Yosuke Akimoto

・Dee/Ikeda Shuichi

■ Main staff

・Original work: AQUAPLUS

・Director: Tomoki Kobayashi

・Series Supervision: Munemitsu Suga

・Series Composition/Uezu Makoto

・Character design/Kanroj

・Character design and chief animation director: Masahiko Nakata

・Prop design/Koji Fukasawa

・Art director: Kenji Kato

・Color design: Tatsue Ozeki

Director of photography: Takaya Mizutani

Edited by Kumiko Sakamoto

・Sound Director/Susumu Akedagawa

・Sound producer/Takeshi Nishina

Music: Miyu Nakamura, Hijiri Anze

・Music Production: Lantis

Executive producers: Koji Ichihashi, Mitsuru Oshima, Yoshiyuki Ito, Toshiaki Okuno

Producers: Yutaro Mochizuki, Toshio Hatanaka, Yasuo Ueda, Katsumi Koike

・Production cooperation: Takayuki Nagatani

・Animation Producer/Gaku Iwasa

・Animation production: OLM TEAM IWASA

・Production: Utawarerumono Production Committee

■ Main Characters

・Hakuoro

A masked man who has lost all of his memories, including his real name. He is a calm young man, but he wears a mysterious mask and even he doesn't know why. After recovering, he lends his strength to the development of the village and gains the trust of the villagers.

・Elulu

A young girl who is an apprentice "pharmacist" and Aruru's older sister. She is cheerful, energetic, caring and kind. She is a versatile person who can handle all household chores, but she can be a bit jealous. She is eventually drawn to Hakuoro, who reminds her of her father.

・Aruru

Eruru's younger sister. She is quiet, only speaks the bare minimum, and is extremely shy around strangers. Sometimes she acts in a way that makes it hard to understand what she is thinking. Although she is wary of Hakuoro, she calls him "Dad" and becomes attached to him.

・Tusukuru

She is Eruru and Aruru's grandmother and the village chief. She is respected not only by the villagers but even by the feudal lord. She is a skilled pharmacist, and after treating Hakuoro, she names him after her son, even though he has forgotten his own name.

・Oboro

A physically strong young leader of a hunting tribe. He becomes a thief to ensure the survival of his tribe and for the sake of his sickly younger sister. After coming into contact with Hakuoro's personality and seeing his sister's affection for him, he comes to respect him and call him "brother."

Benawy

He is a warrior who always calmly assesses and judges things. He acts not only in military matters, but also with an eye on the nation's trends.

Crow

He is Benawy's lieutenant and has a rough personality. He leads the troops together with Benawy in battle. He enjoys fighting a worthy opponent.

Carla

A survivor of a shipwreck from "Na Tunku". Boasting incredible physical abilities, he easily wields a giant sword. With an easy-going personality, he behaves freely wherever he goes.

・Touka

A warrior of the Evenkurga tribe. He travels around the world as a mercenary. He values ​​justice above all else and has an almost overly serious personality.

・Ultrey

She is the princess of Onkamiyamukai and also a shrine maiden. She has an elegant appearance and a generous kindness. She always chooses to support others.

Camus

Princess of Onkamiyamukai. In contrast to her sister Ultri, she has a lively personality. She is friendly and can get along with anyone. Since coming to Tuskuru, she has been proactively approaching Aruru and Yuzuha.

・Yuzuha

Born with a weak constitution, she spends most of her time sick in bed. She was raised with the utmost care from those around her, including her older brother Oboro, but because of this she has no idea of ​​the outside world and has an innocent heart.

Dolly

The twins who accompany Oboro. They wear blue hakama, which is a different color than Gura's. They always act together and assist Oboro. They use bows in battle, and sometimes lead their own troops.

・Guraa

The twins who accompany Oboro. They wear red hakama, which is a different color from Dory's. They always act together and assist Oboro. They use bows in battle, and sometimes lead their own troops.

Teolo

He is a resident of Yamayura Village where Eruru and the others live, and is the village's leader. He doesn't worry about small details. He's a bold man.

・Sopok

She loves Eruru and the others like her own blood sisters. She is a generous woman.

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: The Uninvited (2006/04/03)

Episode 2: The King of the Wild Forest (2006/04/10)

・Episode 3/Purple Amber (2006/04/17)

Episode 4: The Road of No Return (2006/04/24)

Episode 5: Daughter of the Forest (2006/05/01)

Episode 6: The Power of Gathering (2006/05/08)

Episode 7: Invasion of the Imperial Capital (2006/05/15)

・Episode 8/Arbitrator (2006/05/22)

・Episode 9/Taboo (2006/05/29)

Episode 10: Mercenary (2006/06/05)

Episode 11: Eternal Promise (2006/06/12)

Episode 12: Disturbance (2006/06/19)

Episode 13: Bloody Battle (2006/06/26)

Episode 14: War Damage (2006/07/03)

Episode 15: The End of the Banquet (2006/07/10)

Episode 16: The End of the Battle (2006/07/17)

・Episode 17: The Young Emperor (2006/07/24)

・Episode 18/Liberation Army (2006/07/31)

Episode 19: Parting (2006/08/07)

Episode 20: First Battle (2006/08/14)

・Episode 21/Great Seal (2006/08/21)

Episode 22: The Abominable Contract (2006/08/28)

・Episode 23: Where the Heart Lies (2006/09/04)

Episode 24: The Disappearing (2006/09/11)

Episode 25: Traces of an Ancient Dream (2006/09/18)

・Episode 26: Utawarerumono (2006/09/25)

■ Related works

・Utawarerumono Short Episode

・OVA Utawarerumono

・Utawarerumono: False Mask

・Utawarerumono: False Mask short episode

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1

・Dream Song

Lyrics by Naoko Sutani

・Composer: Michio Kinugasa

・Arrangement/Masaru Mameda

・Song: Suara

・ED1

・The cycle of slumber

Lyrics by Aki Hata

・Composer: Masumi Ito

・Arrangement: Masumi Ito

・Song: Eri Kawai

・ED2

・Kimigatame

Lyrics by Naoko Sutani

・Composer: Naoya Shimokawa

Arrangement: Michio Kinugasa

・Song: Suara

The appeal and evaluation of "Utawarerumono"

"Utawarerumono" has attracted many fans with its grand worldview and profound drama. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and evaluation of this work.

A spectacular worldview

The setting of "Utawarerumono" is a fantasy world surrounded by nature. It is inhabited by sub-humans who look almost identical to humans, but have animal-like ears and tails. This unique setting is a major factor that draws viewers in. In addition, the depth of the history and culture that is revealed as the story progresses also adds to the appeal of the work.

Heavy drama

The story begins when Hakuoro, a masked young man who has lost his memory, is saved by a girl named Eruru. Viewers are deeply moved by the process in which Hakuoro lends his strength to the development of the village and builds deep bonds with the people around him. The story also delves into war and politics, as well as the inner lives of each character, giving it a profound sense of drama. In particular, the gradual unfolding of events as Hakuoro's past and the mysteries surrounding him are revealed is a major element that draws viewers in.

Character Appeal

Each character in Utawarerumono is unique and charming. The main character, Hakuoro, is portrayed as a calm and reliable leader, despite having lost his memory. Characters such as Eruru, Aruru, and Tuskur also deeply move viewers through their growth and changes in their relationships. Sub-characters such as Oboro, Benauy, and Karla also play important roles in adding depth to the story.

Music and Video

The music for Utawarerumono is by Nakamura Miyu and Anze Hijiri, and produced by Lantis. The opening theme, "Musou-ka," is sung by Suara, and creates a fantastical atmosphere. The ending themes, "Madoromi no Rinne" and "Kimigatame," are also sung by Kawai Eri and Suara, respectively, and enhance the emotional impact of the story. In terms of visuals, OLM TEAM IWASA's careful drawings and beautiful backgrounds richly express the worldview of the work.

Recognition and Awards

"Utawarerumono" has been highly praised by many viewers. In particular, it has been praised for its grand worldview and profound drama, with fans praising its "moving story" and "attractive characters." The game version before the anime was also highly praised, and a port to the PS2 was announced, attracting more attention from users. Even after it was made into an anime, its popularity has not waned, and many related works have been produced.

Related works and recommendations for "Utawarerumono"

"Utawarerumono" has been produced not only as a TV anime series, but also as a series of short episodes, OVAs, and a sequel, "Utawarerumono: False Mask." These works also retain the appeal of the original while depicting new stories and characters. Below, we will introduce an overview of the related works and provide some recommendations.

Overview of related works

・Utawarerumono Short Episode

These short episodes aired between the TV anime series allow fans to enjoy the daily lives of the characters and comedic elements. For fans, they are a valuable work that allows them to learn new sides of the characters.

・OVA Utawarerumono

This OVA depicts the aftermath of the TV anime series, and you can enjoy the story of Hakuoro, Eruru, and the others afterwards. For fans, it is a valuable work that allows them to know the continuation of the story.

・Utawarerumono: False Mask

This is a sequel to "Utawarerumono" and features a new protagonist and characters. You can enjoy a new world view and story, so it is recommended not only for fans of the original work but also for new viewers.

・Utawarerumono: False Mask short episode

The short episodes aired during "Utawarerumono: False Mask" allow fans to enjoy the daily lives of the characters and comedic elements. For fans, it is a valuable work that allows them to learn a new side of the characters.

Recommendation

"Utawarerumono" is recommended for viewers who want to enjoy a grand worldview and profound drama. It is also recommended for viewers who want to be moved by the growth of the characters and the changes in human relationships. In addition, since many related works have been produced, it is a work that can be enjoyed not only by fans of the original work but also by new viewers. Please try to experience the world of "Utawarerumono".