Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth review: A fascinating story and character depth

Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth: A review of the thrilling and moving final chapter of this epic saga

"Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth" is a TV anime series depicting the final chapter of the popular game series "Utawarerumono" created by AQUAPLUS. This series, which began in 2002, has continued to fascinate many fans for over 20 years. This work, which can be said to be the culmination of the series, was broadcast from July 4 to December 25, 2022, and reached a touching finale in which all the mysteries of the series were revealed.

Story and Characters

The story begins with the death of the Yamato Emperor, while Princess Ange is pursued on suspicion of attempted poisoning. After a battle, the Ukonoe General Oshtor exhausts the power of his mask, and his body and soul become part of the world. As he leaves, Oshtor entrusts the future of Ange and Nekone to his friend Haku. Haku inherits Oshtor's mask and will, and decides to abandon his life as Haku and live as Oshtor.

Meanwhile, in Yamato, the Eight Generals, Raikou, takes advantage of the chaos and sets up a false princess to seize control of the country. Ange shows signs of recovery in Ennakamui and rises up to reclaim her position as princess, which her father, the emperor, left behind. The Yamato army's invasion reaches Ennakamui as well, and a war that engulfs the entire land of Yamato begins.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its deep character portrayal. Oshtoru (Haku) is depicted as carrying on the will of his late friend while struggling with the meaning of his own existence, evoking strong sympathy from viewers. The emotions of each character, such as Ange's growth, Nekone's remorse, and Kuon's disappointment, are carefully portrayed, adding depth to the story. Additionally, the personalities and backgrounds of supporting characters such as Lulutier, Atoy, and Nosori are also well-drawn, adding excitement to the story.

Animation and performance

WHITE FOX, the animation production company, draws viewers in with beautiful visuals and meticulous direction. In particular, the battle scenes feature extremely realistic character movements, facial expressions, and background depictions, enhancing the sense of tension of the battles to the fullest. Additionally, the character designs faithfully reproduce the images in the original work, while adding movements and expressions unique to anime, making them even more appealing.

Director Kenichi Kawamura, along with series composer Itsuki Yokoyama, have made the most of the original story while also skillfully incorporating original elements for the anime. In particular, the climaxes of each episode feature many scenes that move the viewers' hearts, with many moving scenes.

Music and voice acting

The music is provided by AQUAPLUS, and features a wide variety of songs ranging from grand orchestral to delicate piano pieces to match the development of the story. The opening theme "Hito Nanda" and the ending theme "Zinnia" are particularly impressive, featuring Suara's powerful singing voice and beautiful melodies, further deepening the worldview of the story. There are also many insert songs, which play an important role in bringing out the emotions of each scene.

The voice actors are also impressive, with Kentaro Tone's performance of Oshtoru (Haku) expressing the inner thoughts of the character with a performance that combines strength and sensitivity. The voice actors of each character, such as Chinatsu Akasaki's Ange, Risa Taneda's Kuon, and Inori Minase's Nekone, are also perfect for their roles and add excitement to the story.

Broadcast and Streaming

"Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth" was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11, with a total of 28 episodes, each 30 minutes long. It is also available on many online streaming services such as d Anime Store, ABEMA, and U-NEXT, making it enjoyable for a wide range of viewers. In particular, the final episodes, episodes 27 and 28, were broadcast consecutively on December 25, 2022, allowing viewers to enjoy the climax of the story all at once.

Related works and entire series

The Utawarerumono series began with Utawarerumono in 2002, and has since expanded to include many titles such as Utawarerumono: False Mask and Utawarerumono: The Magnificent Days of Princess Tuskuru. While each title has its own independent story, they all form a single, larger narrative, and you can appreciate the depth of the series by enjoying it as a whole.

In particular, "Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth" is the final chapter of the series, and is an important work in which all mysteries are solved. For fans who are familiar with the previous works, it is a moving finale that resolves long-held questions, and even for viewers who are new to the series, it is a work that allows them to fully enjoy the charm of the epic story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth" is a work that deserves the highest praise as the culmination of the series, with all elements such as story, characters, animation, music, and voice actors all being of a high standard. It is a must-see for fans of the series, and viewers who are new to the series will surely be captivated by its charm.

This work is highly recommended for those who enjoy grand fantasy and deep human drama, and for those who are looking for beautiful animation and a moving story. Also, by enjoying the entire series, you will gain a deeper understanding of the world view and character growth. "Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth" is a masterpiece filled with emotion and excitement, truly worthy of being the final chapter of the series.