"Mokke" Review: A story of everyday wonder and growth

"Mokke" - A heartwarming story of everyday life coexisting with monsters

■Overview of the work

"Moke" is a 24-episode anime series that aired from October 2, 2007 to March 25, 2008. It is based on the manga of the same name by Takatoshi Kumakura, and was animated by Madhouse and Tezuka Productions, produced by Me-Tele, and produced by the Moke Production Committee (Avex Entertainment, Madhouse, Kodansha). It aired on TV Asahi and each episode was 30 minutes long.

■ Story

The story of "Mokke" revolves around two sisters, Shizuru, the elder sister who can see ghosts, and Mizuki, the younger sister who is easily possessed by ghosts. With their special abilities of "Kenki" (seeing ghosts) and "Yorimashi" (being possessed by ghosts), the two sisters are forced to live while interacting with beings from the other side of the world. After worrying about how to raise the sisters, the family decides to send them to live in the countryside where their grandparents live. There, Shizuru and Mizuki learn important values that modern Japanese people have forgotten through their life of coexistence with nature and ghosts.

■Explanation

"Mokke" is an anime with a heartwarming atmosphere that will make you feel at ease. The sisters Shizuru and Mizuki have the special abilities of being able to see ghosts and possess ghosts, but they live a life of coexistence with nature and monsters in the nostalgic scenery of the countryside. Through the reverence for nature, respect for gods and Buddhas, and local customs that they learn from their grandparents and the people of the town, they come to rediscover the important things that are being forgotten in modern society.

This work depicts the peace of mind and sensitivity to decipher the "stories" behind things, something that is being lost in today's busy society. Yokai are not special beings, but exist wherever there are people, and it teaches us that if there is a reason or trigger for people to sense them, they will naturally imagine and perceive them. Many people have had the experience of seeing "something" as children that adults cannot see. The world of "Mokke" is a place where people who coexist with such yokai and nature coexist peacefully.

■Cast

Shizuru Hihara - Ayako Kawasumi
Mizuki Hihara - Nana Mizuki
Grandfather Hihara - Katsuyuki Hori
Grandmother Hihara - Naoko Kyoda
Chitose Hihara - Kotono Mitsuishi

■ Main staff

Original author - Takatoshi Kumakura
Director: Masayoshi Nishida
Series Composition - Haruko Nagatsu
Storyboard - Nishida Masayoshi
Character design, chief animation director: Toshio Kawaguchi
Art design - Minoru Nishida
Art Director: Masato Shibata
Color setting - Megumi Yoshida
Director of photography - Keisuke Nakamura
Edited by Wataru Uchida
Sound Director - Masafumi Mima
Music: Yoshihiro Ike
Music producer: Asaichi Iizumi
Executive Producer - Jungo Maruta
Producers - Yoshito Takaya, Yasuteru Iwase, Masayuki Hariu
Animation producers: Sumio Udagawa, Shintaro Hashimoto
Animation production: Madhouse, Tezuka Productions
Produced by Me-Tele
Produced by: Mokke Production Committee (Avex Entertainment, Madhouse, Kodansha)

■ Main Characters

Shizuru Hihara - A quiet and gentle girl. She has the ability to see ghosts and can see ghosts. Although she is troubled by her ghost-seeing abilities, she becomes involved in the events that follow.
Hihara Mizuki - Shizuru's younger sister. She has the constitution of a spirit-holder and is easily possessed by youkai. She is active and good at sports. She expresses her emotions directly, and when she is depressed, she is very depressed.
Grandpa - Shizuru and Mizuki's grandfather. He is a local historian and a priest. He has the ability to exorcise monsters and is well-versed in the monsters that appear in ancient folklore and literary works.
Mi-ke-san - The Hihara family's pet cat. He is special to Shizuru and Mizuki, and is there to listen to their experiences and worries from when they were little.
Grandma - The sisters' grandmother. She acts as a mother to the two of them now that they have left their parents behind, and always watches over them with kindness.
Chitose Hihara (mother) - Shizuru and Mizuki's mother.

■Subtitle

Episode 1 - Mikoshi
Episode 2 - Long-tailed slug
Episode 3 - Okurimono
Episode 4 - Waraiyami
Episode 5 - Hiyorimoushi
Episode 6 - Kesaranpasaran
Episode 7 - Jatai
Episode 8 - Yamauba
Episode 9 - Enenra
Episode 10 - Kamaitachi
Episode 11 - Daimanako
Episode 12 - Seriously
Episode 13 - Mameotoko
Episode 14 - Tsuezakura
Episode 15 - Bagworm
Episode 16 - Sorabayashi
Episode 17 - Sudamagaeshi
Episode 18 - Hectic
Episode 19 - Blindfold
Episode 20 - Thunder
Episode 21 - The Origin
Episode 22 - Inabayama
Episode 23 - Roxanne
Episode 24 - Omokage

■ Related works

"Mokke" DVD bonus OVA

■ Theme songs and music

OP1 - Traces of the Heart
- Lyricist: Kosaka Riyu
- Composer - Yoichi Sakai
- Arrangement - Yoichi Sakai
- Sung by: Kosaka Riyu
ED1 - Panorama
- Lyricist - Kano Kaori
- Composed by: Kano Kaori
- Arrangement - Kano Kaori
- Sung by: Mai Hashimoto

■Detailed episode commentary

"Mokke" is a series of 24 episodes, each of which features a different monster or legend. Below are detailed descriptions of each episode.

Episode 1 - Mikoshi

This episode sees Shizuru and Mizuki just move into their grandparents' house. Although they are confused by their new environment, they end up carrying a mikoshi at a local festival. There, they encounter a yokai for the first time and their abilities as demon-seekers and spirit-holders are revealed. This episode shows the sisters getting used to their new life through the local traditional events.

Episode 2 - Long-tailed slug

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki meeting a monster called Nagareizuna at school. Nagareizuna has the ability to see through human lies, and while the sisters are at the mercy of his ability, they learn the meaning and importance of lying. This episode makes you think deeply about the balance between honesty and lies in human relationships.

Episode 3 - Okurimono

In this episode, Shizuru is possessed by a monster due to a charm given to her by a friend. Through the feelings contained in the charm and the presence of the monster, Shizuru is reminded of the value of friendship. This story depicts the importance of reading the "story" behind things, not just what is on the surface.

Episode 4 - Waraiyami

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster called Waraiyami and cannot stop laughing. Mizuki's inability to stop laughing causes trouble for those around him, but he learns that his laughter has the power to heal people. This episode depicts the power and importance of laughter.

Episode 5 - Hiyorimoushi

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki meeting a monster called Hiyorimoushi. Hiyorimoushi has the ability to control the weather, and the sisters succeed in making it rain using that power. However, they witness the resulting loss of balance in nature and learn to respect nature. This episode depicts the importance of coexisting with nature.

Episode 6 - Kesaranpasaran

This is the episode where Shizuru meets a yokai named Kesaranpatharan. Kesaranpatharan is a yokai that is said to bring good luck, and Shizuru tries to use its power to solve her friend's problems. However, the results of good luck are not always good, and Shizuru learns the true meaning of good luck. This story makes you think deeply about the relationship between good luck and hard work.

Episode 7 - Jatai

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster called Jatai, and his appetite becomes unstoppable. Unable to control his appetite, Mizuki causes trouble for those around him, but he is reminded of the meaning and importance of food. This episode depicts the power that food has to bring people together.

Episode 8 - Yamauba

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki's encounter with a monster called Yamauba. Yamauba is the guardian of the mountain, and with its help, the sisters succeed in protecting the mountain's natural environment. However, they witness the resulting imbalance between human desires and nature, and learn to respect nature. This episode depicts the importance of coexisting with nature.

Episode 9 - Enenra

This is the episode where Shizuru meets a monster named Enenra. Enenra has the ability to manipulate human memories, and Shizuru tries to use that power to solve her friend's problems. However, memories do not always bring about good things, and Shizuru learns the true meaning of memory. This story makes you think deeply about the relationship between memory and experience.

Episode 10 - Kamaitachi

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster called Kamaitachi and gets injured. Although Mizuki's injury causes trouble for those around him, he learns the lesson that comes from his injury. This episode depicts how injuries and pain have the power to help people grow.

Episode 11 - Daimanako

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki meeting a monster called Daimanako. Daimanako has the ability to amplify human desires, and the sisters try to use that power to solve their friends' problems. However, the results of desire are not always good, and Shizuru and Mizuki learn the true meaning of desire. This episode will make you think deeply about the relationship between desire and self-control.

Episode 12 - Seriously

This is the episode where Shizuru meets a monster called Majimono. Majimono has the ability to see through people's truths, and Shizuru tries to use that power to solve her friend's problems. However, the truth does not always have good results, and Shizuru learns the true meaning of truth. This story makes you think deeply about the relationship between truth and lies.

Episode 13 - Mameotoko

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster called Mameotoko and eats beans. Mizuki grows by eating beans, and although he causes trouble to those around him, he is reminded of the meaning and importance of growth. This episode depicts how growth has the power to bring people together.

Episode 14 - Tsuezakura

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki meeting a yokai called Tsuezakura. Tsuezakura has the ability to control people's dreams, and the sisters try to use that power to solve their friend's problems. However, dreams don't always bring about good things, and Shizuru and Mizuki learn the true meaning of dreams. This episode will make you think deeply about the relationship between dreams and reality.

Episode 15 - Bagworm

This is an episode where Shizuru meets a monster called Bagumushi. Bagumushi has the ability to keep human secrets, and Shizuru tries to use that power to solve her friend's problems. However, the consequences of secrets are not always good, and Shizuru learns the true meaning of secrets. This story makes you think deeply about the relationship between secrets and trust.

Episode 16 - Sorabayashi

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster named Sorabayashi and begins to fly in the sky. By flying, Mizuki feels free, and although he causes trouble to those around him, he is reminded of the meaning and importance of freedom. This episode depicts how freedom has the power to bring people together.

Episode 17 - Sudamagaeshi

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki's encounter with a monster called Sudamagaeshi. Sudamagaeshi has the ability to return favors to humans, and the sisters try to use that power to solve their friends' problems. However, favors do not always bring good results, and Shizuru and Mizuki learn the true meaning of favor. This episode will make you think deeply about the relationship between favor and obligation.

Episode 18 - Hectic

This is the episode where Shizuru meets a monster called Batabata. Batabata has the ability to cause chaos in humans, and Shizuru tries to use that power to solve her friends' problems. However, the results of chaos are not always good, and Shizuru learns the true meaning of chaos. This story makes you think deeply about the relationship between chaos and order.

Episode 19 - Blindfold

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster called Mekurabe and loses his sight. Although he causes trouble to those around him, Mizuki learns that being blind gives him a new perspective. This episode depicts the power that senses other than sight have to connect people.

Episode 20 - Thunder

This is a story about Shizuru and Mizuki meeting a monster called Kaminari Gari. Kaminari Gari has the ability to amplify human anger, and the sisters try to use that power to solve their friends' problems. However, the results of anger are not always good, and Shizuru and Mizuki learn the true meaning of anger. This episode will make you think deeply about the relationship between anger and peace.

Episode 21 - The Origin

This is the episode where Shizuru meets a monster called Teoimono. Teoimono has the ability to cause fear in humans, and Shizuru tries to use that power to solve her friend's problems. However, the results of fear are not always good, and Shizuru learns the true meaning of fear. This story makes you think deeply about the relationship between fear and courage.

Episode 22 - Inabayama

In this episode, Mizuki is possessed by a monster called Inabayama and has to climb a mountain. By climbing the mountain, Mizuki feels a sense of accomplishment, and although he causes trouble to those around him, he is reminded of the meaning and importance of that sense of accomplishment. This episode depicts how a sense of accomplishment has the power to bring people together.