Let's Watch: Kemono no Souja Erin

[rocklobster]

Glad to see you folks like this show! I knew coming up with a Let's Watch was a good idea!
Ep 21: The Disappearing Light
[spoiler]Erin begins to take care of Lilan and finds out that Lilan won't eat anything, and has been eating her fur. When she hears Lilan's cries, she comes up with the idea to use her harp to try to communicate with Lilan. It didn't work, until she fell asleep and accidentally hit the harp under her blanket.
Thoughts: Looks like we shouldn't worry about Tomulan for now. I wonder if the Ohju's captivity had something to do with its refusal to eat. I've heard that zookeepers often have trouble getting animals to eat, particularly after they first arrive.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 22: The Harp's Sound
[spoiler]Erin goes to the capital with Tomura and her two followers, Nuk and Mok, to go back to the Yantoku harp shop and change the harp to make a sound resembling an Ohju. They are allowed to borrow the shop for a few days while Yantoku is out. In another part of town, Ia-lu reopens his arrow wound while fighting against two unknown assailants, and stumbles upon Erin and her friends. They bring him into the shop and tend to his wound. After hearing Erin's story, Ia-lu decides to teach Erin how to fix the harp the way she wants to. With Ia-lu's help, Erin is able to make the sound she wanted and help Lelang eat again.
Thoughts: This was a very heartwarming episode, and I enjoyed it a lot. I think it's one of my favorites already! On another note, is it me or is Ia-lu becoming the Ensemble Darkhorse for the series? (For those who don't know, an ensemble darkhorse is a character who isn't meant to become popular, but becomes popular anyway.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 23: The Oath of Kazalum
[spoiler]Professor Esal talks to the other teachers at Kazalm about reporting to the palace of Erin's ability to communicate with Lilan with a harp, and not a mute whistle (It is considered against the law to not carry and use one as a beastinarian) and how she is able to become close to an Ohju. Esal tells the other teachers how she and Tomura also tried to use the harp to communicate with Lilan, but Lilan would just stare. Esal comes to the conclusion that the reason Lilan only reacts to Erin is because Lilan sees her as her mother. According to legends, only the Queen could command the Ohju. However, Erin can also do the same thing. Thinking that if they report this to the palace, others would believe that Erin was using a magic trick of the Mist People, and not out of her own efforts. Also, that the palace would use Erin's ability to communicate with the Ohju for war purposes. The teachers of Kazalum decide to keep Erin and the harp under wraps, and everyone in Kazalm makes an oath to protect Erin and Lilan.
Thoughts: I doubt they'll be able to keep things hush-hush for long. It never works. Even so, this was a good episode.[/spoiler]

[Atria35]

This episode MADE my day! I mean, seriously,
[spoiler] they all came together and shed that they were her friends, and that they thought it wasn't a bad thing. I mean, I would think that any intelligent ruler would WANT to know about a better way to raise their Ohju, but we can't count on that, now can we?[/spoiler] I think you're right about it being kept hush-hush, though. I suspect we'll see fallout by episode 30.

[Cadence]

Thanks for starting this "Let's Watch", rocklobster. I don't know if I ever would have picked this show back up and finished it if you hadn't started the thread, and I am completely in love with this show now. =) I couldn't stop myself from marathoning through episode 30 today, so...yeah, I'm a bit ahead now. =)

I also loved episode 23. Great stuff. As I mentioned before, I'm surprised at how much I have become attached to all the characters in this show, despite many of them having relatively little development. And the last scene in this episode made me love this new batch of supporting characters even more. =)

[rocklobster]

Actually, the whole reason I started the Let's Watch thread was I was tired of seeing buzz for anime I never saw. I wanted to create my own buzz for once, so I chose to start this thread. That and I saw Erin is written by the same person who wrote the Moribito books.
Ep 24: Song of Grief
[spoiler]The Grand Duke's two sons paths finally diverge, with Shunan and Nugen taking their own paths after a duel.
Thoughts: The duel was actually kind of slow to start and I got kind of bored until they started fighting. This was an ok episode.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 25: An Errand For Two
[spoiler]Nuk and Mok are helping out at Kazalum and are making more work for Karisa, the dorm mother, than helping her. After considering firing them because they couldn't carry out even half the work of a single man , she decides to give them another chance and asks them to go shopping for her. They leave for town, determined not to disappoint her but ends up losing the bag filled with five pieces of gold. Just as they were just about to give up hope, Mok remembered how they had met Erin and had promised they'll never be thieves again. And so they go in search of ways to earn the money back so that they can return to Erin's side.
Thoughts: Nice breather episode and I actually like the fact that Nuk and Mok got a spotlight. In my opinion, they needed one because I like the comedy relief they provide. There were some good chuckles. I don't know about you folks, but I really find it difficult to hate Nuk and Mok. They're a pretty funny duo, and their antics do little to detract from the story.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep. 26: Lelang's Feelings
[spoiler]Erin takes a quiz and fails it, so Erin and the others study hard so they can advance into high school at Kazalum. After the exam, everyone leaves for summer vacation. Lelang walks up to Erin one day and starts to snuggle her; it was then that Erin realized that Lelang saw her as her mother, and that makes Erin very happy. She also finds out the Lelang can understand simple words like "wait" and "stop." Erin finally finds out from Esal that Lelang was a gift to the Queen and as such, can never go back into the wild.
Thoughts: Yuuyan was funny in this episode. Was I the only one who gasped when Lelang came up to Erin? I thought he was going to maul her. I really felt sorry for Lelang. Wild animals deserve to be free, not domesticated. All in all, this became another favorite episode![/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 27: Fallen Into Hikara
[spoiler]Erin starts to have dreams about a place filled with thick mist, and that her mother Soh-yon was being taken into "Hikara" the bad side of the afterworld. While Erin falls asleep next to Lilan, Soh-yon tells Erin that the mist in her dreams are an image of her hesitation and how she is lost in her feelings of sadness. With Joh-on and Soh-yon's encouragement (in her dreams) she vows to work harder after she wakes up.
Thoughts: I love mind screws! Seriously, this was an excellent episode. The animation on the mist was excellent, and it was a very revealing episode. This is another good one. [/spoiler]

[Atria35]

26- This was pretty adorable. [spoiler]I really hope that Yuuyan gets together with the guy she has a crush on. She's too cute and nice to not! I also suspect that Erin and her Senpai are gonna get together. It got pretty obvious that he's got a little bit of a crush!

But when Lelang came up to Erin..... WOAH. I mean, it was obvious that she couldn't die. I mean, the series is named after her! That would be very counterproductive for the last 24 episodes. But I seriously thought that she was gonna be bitten or maimed in some way. I was so glad that wasn't the case.[/spoiler]

27- This one made me tear up a bit. [spoiler] Her mom always gets me, what with her tragic death and everything. But what got me this time was Joh-on. I really and truly nearly cried a little when she called him "dad". I was waiting for this the entire time she was with him! Finally hearing it was like a big sigh of relief, because he really was her dad, in every way that was important. But..... I have a sneaking feeling that him being like that in the dream is foreboding for an episode that's coming up.[/spoiler]

[Cadence]

Episode 26:
I really loved this episode. [SPOILER]I liked that they didn't ignore the fact that Erin is going to have to study to do well in school. A lot of shows/stories like this ignore that when the character in question is as gifted and special as Erin.

Also, Yuuyan and what's-his-bucket (the senpai) are both pretty adorable, what with their little crushes. ^_^[/SPOILER]Episode 27 was really...different. I liked it, but...I don't think I've ever seen something done quite like that before. It worked, but I still can't figure out why it worked.

I guess I might was well give my thoughts on episode 28 as well, since I don't know when I will be back on here. [SPOILER]T.T
I was watching this in the library at school, and I started crying. It was pretty awkward, haha. I think I'm going to miss Joh-on more than Erin does! Also, what was with the spoiler title?[/SPOILER]

[rocklobster]

[spoiler]Ep 28: Joh-On's Death
One morning Erin receives a letter from Joh-on's son stating simply that Joh-on passed away from heart disease. Erin becomes sullen and sad, but acts strong in front of Lilan. Professor Esal and the returned Tomura see that Erin is suffering. Esal decides to take her on a trip to Joh-on's hideout when they were still students. Erin then comes to terms with Joh-on's death and promises to live a life that will not sadden Joh-on. At the end of the day, Erin says to Joh-on's ghost, "Thank You... Dad."
Thoughts: NO! Why did they have to kill him off-screen? I hate it when they do that! I really liked Joh-on and it was great that we got to see what he was like as a schoolteacher (wow! so that's where he got his bookworm side). And the "Thank you dad" got me too. We now have two wham episodes, folks![/spoiler]

[Atria35]

I suspected when [spoiler]we saw him in the previous episode, in the dream. I was soooo sad! I loved Joh-on. But in a way, it brought more emotional drama to the show- it's one thing to have her there for his death, it's another not be there because she couldn't be bothered to visit him because she was so busy. I mean, the sheer guilt of it would be terrible! Especially when she finally acknowledged that he was so much more than a man who took care of her- he was her father in every way that matters.[/spoiler]Even with that, I think it was a great episode. I teared up, most definitely.

[rocklobster]

note: I decided the episode's title this time seemed spoiler-ish.
[spoiler]Ep 29: The Beast's Fangs
Erin noticed Lilan was scratching herself against the tree trunk and thought of using a brush to groom her, she got the brothers, Mok and Nuk to make her a bigger brush as the small brush was not efficient in grooming. However while using the bigger brush, she accidentally hurt Lilan. Lilan was infuriated and injured Erin. Thereafter, Erin was told by Esal that the only reason Lilan is obedient to Erin is because Lilan is afraid of Erin. Erin become afraid to get near to Lilan due to the incident. However when the memories of the times she spend with Lilan came into her mind, she took up the courage and once again go close to Lilan.
Thoughts: Two wham episodes in a row! I definitely wasn't expecting Lilan to actually attack Erin out of the blue like that. Kinda reminds me of the stories I've heard about zookeepers being attacked by the animals they care for. I really thought they were going to kill the Ohju when that happened. On a lighter note, that giant brush Erin used was actually kind of funny.[/spoiler] BTW folks, I've looked ahead and since ep 30 is the second and last recap episode, there will not be an episode summary. Instead, I've decided to ask you a question: Let's say you were in charge of casting the english version of Kemono No Souja Erin. Here's what I want to know:
1. Would you translate the title into English or leave it alone. I've seen anime sold with either kind of title.
2. Who would you cast for each main character?

[Atria35]

You might want to see some of 30- there is a bit of plot. [spoiler]you learn a newteacher is coming to the school, and get a glimpse of Erin 4 years older[/spoiler]

Also- totally agreeing with you.[spoiler]It was like the Sigmund and Roy act where one of them was attacked by their pet tiger who'd they'd raised from a cub. It was a very similar thing- it can be hard to remember that animals have instincts. Even dogs can up and attack their owners if they have the teperament, and their owners make one wrong move.[/spoiler]
1. Translate. Maybe have some different titles- there are a few spoiler titles in the series- but I don't see any harm in translating them. And that way, younger kids could read them and pick out the episode they wanted to watch.
2. No clue. I usually hate who they cast for kid's voices- they always sound like adults that are pretending to be kids. And since Erin's voice isn't sugar-sweet, it's even harder to think of somebody, since those are usually the types of voices used >.>"

[rocklobster]

I actually am watching it as I post this. I always watch every episode, even recaps. I believe every episode is important, even fillers and recaps because sometimes fillers allow the characters to develop more.
Edit: Liked the new song at the end!

[rocklobster]

First of all, my thoughts on the new opening. I don't like it. The female singer was somewhat irritating. The new animation sequence looks good, though. Other than that, it's still the same song, but different. As for the new closing, I kinda like it. It's not as playful as the 1st one, but I can see why they changed it. Erin's not a child anymore beginning with ep 31, so it no longer fits.
Ep 31: Luminous Sky
[spoiler]A new teacher, Kirik, comes to Kazalm Academy from the capital. The new teacher is a royal agent whose entire family was killed by Wajaku poison. While on a stroll, Erin and Lilan fall off a cliff, but are saved due to Lilan regaining her ability to fly. Kirik watches Erin flying on Lilan and is shocked that an Ohju is flying with a human on its back. While watching them in the sky, he mistakens Erin for his sister Taya.
Thoughts: Adult Erin kinda makes me think of what happenned when Hinata grew up in Naruto. I was quite pleased that they didn't overdo her "assets", if you know what I mean. (Unlike some fans, I don't like that approach)The new teacher seems like an interesting character. I laughed when Yuyan was starstruck. And who else was shocked when Lilan flew?[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 32: The Great Crime
[spoiler]After landing, Erin is confronted by Nah-Son, the agent sent by the Mist Elders to watch over her. He tells Erin he had known Soh-yon and asks her to make a difficult decision. He tells her the story of the once-prosperous Tohda-breeding country Ophalon. The King of Ophalon was ousted from his throne when he used Touda to attack neighboring countries to complete his dream of making Ophalon even more prosperous. He is saved by a woman with golden hair and eyes, who flew on an Ohju named Luke. He manages to convince the woman of breeding Ohju to attack Ophalon and show them that Tohda are no match for the Ohju. However the Ohju become drunk on blood and they attack the town and people into a wasteland. Afterwards the woman leaves the Ephon Noha region and descends from the sky into Ryoza. The people there see her as a God and make her their Queen; the woman's name was "Je" the First Shin Oh of Ryoza. Nah-Son tells Erin to restrain Lilan's ability to fly, but Erin says that she will never stop Lilan from flying and to never tie her down with codes.
Thoughts: It's about time we got to see more about the Ohju's history! This episode was very good, and I was actually wondering when Nah-Son would show up in the actual story (you may recall that he narrated the first recap episode). I'm kind of curious to know if Lilan will also succumb to the bloodlust. All in all, this was a good episode. BTW, what do you people think of Erin's new voice? I kind of like it--very mature and deep, but still shy-sounding.[/spoiler]

[Cadence]

To answer your question, I would definitely translate the title. I don't think children would want to watch something called Kemono no Souja Erin. Beast Player sounds much more intriguing. Voice actors...hmm...well, I'm with Atria in not usually liking who they cast in children's roles. I can't really think of any voice actors that I think would suit Erin, though I guess Jessie Flower (she voiced a couple characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender, and was in Finding Nemo) might do a good job. She has a cute voice.

On the new OP and ED...well, I really disliked the new OP originally, but it has grown on me. At least, the animation sequence and the new arrangement of the song have. The vocals, though...er...I wasn't a fan of Hajime Chitose before, and this song has done nothing to change my opinion. The ED, on the other hand, I absolutely love. As much as I like After the Rain, and that is saying something. =)

[rocklobster]

Ep 33: Flying
[spoiler]Erin informs Teacher Esal that Lilan can fly. Both of them are worried that Lilan will fly away from Kazaum, so Esal wants Erin to teach Lilan to fly only when she wants to or they would have to chain Lilan down. After many days of Lilan not flying at Erin's command they plan to make the chains for Lilan's cage. One evening Kirik approaches Erin and they have a short conversation. Erin realizes that she has only been giving commands to Lilan and approaches Lilan once more. The next day Erin flies on top of Lilan.
Thoughts: I'm beginning to wonder if Erin's going to attract some kind of trouble with the flying. Also, is it just me or does Erin need to reign in Tuk and Mok? That's the second time they've proven their unreliability to keep secrets.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 34: Ia-lu and Erin
[spoiler]An injured Ohju is delivered from the Kazalum rescue center. That night, Kirik poisons the injured Ohju with mock milkweed, a poisonous plant that is said to grow in the Taikoh Region. The next day, the Kazalm staff find the Ohju sick, but Erin finds out what the cause is from her past encounter with it. A poison tester in the capital is also sick from mock milkweed, and Ia-lu volunteers to find the cure. Erin goes to the capital to find the antidote and meets Ia-lu again, who is also looking for the antidote. Ia-lu helps Erin deliver the antidote back to Kazalm because they were both targeted by the Psi-Gamul.
Thoughts: Somehow I was not surprised that Kirik would poison an Ohju. I had a feeling he was up to something rotten.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 35: A New Life
[spoiler]Another injured Ohju is delivered to Kazalum, this time it is a wild male who they decided to call "Eku." The teachers try to calm the angry Eku themselves, but failed. Professor Esal decides to leave Eku to Erin. After a day's worth of staying with the angry Eku, Erin manges to gain his trust and communicate with him with her harp. Eku heals and goes out to the fields and meets Lilan. Lilan and Eku mate and "create a new life" with the whole of Kazalum watching in amazement.
Note: Don't worry, the ohjus just fly together.
Thoughts: I knew this was going to be an important episode when I didn't see an opening. That's usually a good sign. Very good episode. I'm wondering if the mating is going to cause any problems.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 36: The Graduation Test
[spoiler]Erin and the others take the Graduation test with all of them passing. Erin takes the top seat in the scores, meaning that Erin can stay at Kazalum as a Master. The Shin-Oh gives her blessing to Lilan's baby and provides more funds for Kazalum. Each one of them leaves Kazalum and reminisce in their memories.
Thoughts: Very moving episode. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Yuyan. I can't wait to see the baby Ohju![/spoiler]

[Cadence]

Some brief thoughts:

Episodes 33-35:
Kirik-sensei is a creeper.

Episode 36:
I would be lying if I said I didn't get a bit misty-eyed at the end of this episode. Another era in Erin's life has ended...but I guess another is beginning as well, so that is something to look forward to. =)

[rocklobster]

you should've done spoiler boxes!
Anyway, back to updates:
Ep 37: Birth
[spoiler]Erin officially becomes a Master in the fall and new students come to Kazalum. But Shiron, a female student, sees Erin as an enemy and desired to "beat her." When Shiron decides to approach Lilan one night, she is astonished to find out that Erin can embrace Lilan so closely, despite the fact that Ouju never befriend humans. When Shiron decides to approach Lilan again, she ends up angering Lilan, only to be saved by Erin. Shiron then witnesses Erin helping Lilan give birth, and has a new perspective of Erin, making Shiron decide to be Erin's follower. The Shin-Oh names the baby "Aru" and decides to visit the baby.
Thoughts: Shiron is a cute new character and I think she will be a welcome addition to the cast. She's cute too![/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 38: Shin-Oh Harumiya
[spoiler]The Shin-Oh decides to visit Kazalm to see Aru. Esal and the faculty decide to keep the Shin-Oh from finding out that Erin uses the harp to communicate with Eku and Lilan. But when Lilan was about to hurt the Shin-Oh, Erin jumps in and surprises everyone by calming Lilan down with her harp. Dahmiyah confronts Erin and offers her and the Ohju family to move to Lazal, but is interrupted by the Shin-Oh. Impressed by her calm attitude and alternate way to breed the Ouju, she also wants Erin to come with her. But Erin rejects, saying that Aru is not ready.
Thoughts: Man the school went all out for the queen didn't they? And I was a bit surprised that Erin was forbidden to show up. [/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 39: Tohda Attack
[spoiler]While going back to the palace by boat, the Shin-Oh is suddenly attacked by an army of Tohda in the river. Erin, along with the rest of the students and teachers of Kazalum, watch in horror. Erin decides to ride Lilan to save the Shin-Oh, but Kirik warns her that riding Lilan will make Erin regret it. But when Erin gets to the attacking Tohda, Ia-lu and Dahmiyah are surprised to see Erin flying on Lilan's back. Lilan suddenly snaps and attacks the Tohda in a blind rage, deaf to Erin's cries to stop. For the first time, everyone witnesses the horrid side of the Ouju. And for Erin, this is a moment that she will never forget.
Thoughts: Why do I have a feeling this is going to lead to a bittersweet ending or worse? The Ohjus were originally beasts of burden in war, so I have a funny feeling Erin may be forced to fight.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 40: A Nation in Shadow
[spoiler]The Shin-Oh is knocked unconscious after the sudden Tohda attack on the boat-ride to the palace, and stays at Lord Kazalm's home until she recovers. Ia-lu feels ashamed of not protecting her Majesty, and awaits his punishment. Erin sees the aftermath of the attack, and decides to calm the worried men by playing "Dawn of the Bird" on her harp. Ia-lu recognizes the song and finds Erin playing it. Erin tends to Ia-lu's wound from the Tohda, and she and Ia-lu talk. Erin tells Ia-lu that the Tohda attacking the ship weren't the Grand Duke's because they didn't have a mark on their tails. Erin then reveals to Ia-lu that she is a Wajyaku, and is from a Tohda breeding village. Throughout the night she tells him about her life; her home village, her mother, and how she ended up in the Shin-Oh Region. The next morning, Erin leaves for the school and Ia-lu promises her that he will keep her story a secret until the time is ready.
Thoughts: I really liked Ia-lu in this episode. His relationship with Erin is very intriguing, almost as if it's one of mutual respect. Although I am certain he will keep his promise (he seems like one of those honor before reason types), I doubt she'll be safe for long.
[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 41: The Truth of the Shin-Oh
[spoiler]Erin is called to the Kazalum palace, and is asked to accompany the Shin-Oh back to the royal palace with Lilan as bodyguards. Erin knows that if she accepted it, Lilan and Erin would be deprived of the freedom they had in Kazalm. Erin asks for an audience with only the Shin-Oh and Seh-zan Ia-lu, and decides to tell them about First King Je and the incident with her Ohju Luke. But what Erin didn't expect from the Shin-Oh was that she didn't know anything about the ancient incident. Then Erin tells the Shin-Oh about her past and why she strongly believes that Lilan and her family deserve their freedom. The Shin-Oh understands and lets Erin decide what's best for Lilan's family. But what happened next was totally unexpected: Professor Esal comes to Erin in Lilan's shed the next day saying, "The Shin-Oh is dead."
Thoughts: It's sad to see the Shin-Oh go. It's so rare to see queens who are not evil in stories, so she was a very refreshing character. I have a funny feeling that Erin may be forced into serving as a protector when the Shin-Oh is replaced.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 42: Seimiyah's Tears
[spoiler]Word of the Shin-Oh's sudden death on the way back to the palace has spread, and everyone mourns for the death of their beloved Queen. And as tradition states, Princess Seimiyah must take the throne. But Seimiyah is not sure if she is ready, and battles with her inner demons. Shunan comes to the Royal Capital and talks with Seimiyah, but Seimiyah stubbornly refuses. Not knowing of Erin or Ia-lu's knowledge of the truth, Seimiyah believes that it was the Duke's Tohda that killed her grandma. Standing in the rain one night, Seimiyah and Shunan go their separate ways. Thoughts: This was a good episode and I really felt for Princess Seimiyah. The scene with Shunan and Seimiyah was very well done.[/spoiler]